Because Tasha’s Hideous Laughter incapacitates, it can be used to break concentration of other casters, even if they have CON save proficiency and warcaster.

Build Summary 1: Variant Human, Int Con, War caster, Perception, 9/14/13/15/13/8. Cleric 1, Knowledge, Arcana, History, Religion, Insight. Sage, Acrobatics, Investigation. Guidance, Light, Mending, Bless, Healing Word. Mace (sell), Scale Mail (half plate), Light Crossbow, Shield, Emblem. 2: Wizard 1, Component Pouch, Minor Illusion, Ray of Frost, Toll the Dead, Find Familiar, Shield*, Absorb Elements*, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter*, Detect Magic, Comprehend Languages. Shield, (crossbow). 3: Wizard 2, Diviner, Feather Fall*, Magic Missile* 4: Wizard 3, Web*, Suggestion*

In cases where you won't ever change it, Strength tends to be the best stat to get to an odd number as it does actually do something (in the beginning when you said CHA or STR). In the case of STR it does increase your jumping, carrying, and pushing ability (although jumping 9 feet vs. 8 feet on a 5 foot grid system, not sure how useful that is).

The good thing about artificer is that we finally have a SAD multiclass option for wizard. :)

Something I like to do is use Portent on skill checks out of combat. You could have a forgery kit and put a nat 20 on your effort making that the dc for its discovery..... castle deeds, death warrants... all manner of legal acquisitions become possible.

I must express my love for this build. It brings me back to the open possibilities of precious editions. Bravo and thanks!

Ive been looking forward to this build since the build reveal video, so happy that its finally here!

I played around with this build, and I really think the Arcana domain is more appropriate than Knowledge domain. You lose heavy armor proficiency - but you don't have the strength for that anyway. You lose one skill, two languages, and two expertises - but your expertise choices are very limited and the two you're likely to choose you are highly likely to make your checks on anyway given what they are. And those two skills are also the kind where if the DM wants the party to have that information, the DM will find a way to get it to you anyway. But you gain the Arcana skill (which you were already going to choose) and two additional Wizard cantrips (in addition to your Cleric cantrips). This puts your Cleric cantrips at (for example): Guidance, Light, Mending, Mage Hand, and Message (and then you learn your three more Wizard cantrips at 2nd level, and another at 4th for a whopping NINE cantrips at 5th level). And then your additional spell preparations are Magic Missile (which you were already preparing as a Wizard, so it frees up that spell book and preparation slot) and Detect Magic (which you already put in your spell book, so it frees up that spell book slot, and you can now cast it as a non-ritual if it comes up) instead of Identify (not a useful spell) and Command (not a useful spell). To me, two more wizard cantrips, two more useful spells in your spellbook, and one more useful spell prepared, is more optimized than an additional trained skill and expertise in Arcana and History (I am ignoring the Language as anyone can learn one using Downtime anyway).

Hi Treantmonk. Your channel is just what the doctor ordered. I've been struggling to find resources for character creation that aren't just a rambling list of features class abilities and spells with little in the way of a study guide. Thanks for making your character sheets available.

Will be following this guide for my upcoming capaign, thanks for making this

Been looking forward to this one...

I have never in my life heard Eberron pronounced the way you did in this video. I’ve always pronounced it the same way DavvyChappy does in his videos on the plane

So... I have been playing this build in a homebrew campaign within a Theros setting. We also are using the piety system and this whole build combined with the Oracle traits it all sync's up so well with each other. Between the already high roles for knowledge checks, the researcher background, portent, oracle gimmicks, knowing all languages and spell selections.... Well I missed out on one session once and they did mention it was harder without the support.

When given a “useless +1” like in this video I always put it in strength. It’s probably my most “impractical power gaming” moments but for the most part, but getting a +1 to strength will always increase your carry weight. I remember agonizing over this issue before I realized “oh, this actually might be useful”

I've been waiting for this! :D I recently started building a similar concept and I am curious to see where we have different approaches!

I once did a build of cleric1/wizard19 as a halfling diviner I used the UA halfling racial feats second chance and bountiful luck On top of this, I incorporated lucky and war caster What the dip in cleric gave the character was a nice AC, additional skills and saving throws If you choose to go with the light domain you gain a nifty ability called warding flare, which enables you to impose diasdvantage on melee attacks in 30ft with a reaction Not to mention you can choose the cantrips guidance and resistance, with access to the spells bless and bane Overall the build gets you: Reroll 1s Warding flares Guidance Resistance Bless Bane Portants Luck points Second chance (melee attack against you has disadvantage when shield isn't enough) Bountiful luck (whole party rerolls 1s but costs a reaction) War caster (advantage on concentration checks) Wizard spells such as synaptic static I considered a bit of lore bard but wanted it to be mainly a wizard Don't forget if you cast simulacrum all this is doubled!

"I'm more festivious about policing my power level according to the rules for verbal somatic material components than my DM is". In case I ever do them for you, know this. I appreciate you bro

Man, I wish I found this channel sooner. I love these builds! Been watching for awhile and I love how in depth you get explaining all the nuances with each build. This video made me want to give a Wizard a try. Though I can't decide on specifics... I assume a Artificer1/wizard x be optimal for armor/shield/CON proficiencies, optional healing, and the all too important only being dependent in a single Ability, but I'm super torn between Diviner and Abjurer. I'd think Abjurer would help your team with Arcane Ward granting a replenishing temp hp pool for your tanks and able to even save them and your other squishy PC's in a pinch. Would an Abjurer would be an effective God Style Wizard, or is Portent that much of a game changer for forcing rolls so it makes Diviner the obvious choice? I mean, I know it's fantastic but Arcane Ward seems super fantastic too. Thoughts? Keep up the amazing content!

My first Wizard build was with a Knowledge Cleric dip. Great to have that extra AC but I needed it because our only source of healing was our tank, the Paladin.

I liked this video, if only because you acknowledged how you stubbornly adhere to the component rules while still criticizing them at every opportunity. :)

Starting at 1minute 15 seconds.... "This is kind of the God Wizard build" He keeps secrets from us! Such a wizard's mind set. You cut me deep sir 😉

I’m about to run this build through Netherdeep with the Eldritch Adept feat: relying on Devils sight. Can’t wait!

Mm mm mm, love that 15 14 13 13 9 8 point buy spread. Delicious. Also, having played a v-human knowledge cleric/diviner wizard; having bless is very handy for when you get to 3rd level and want to upcast something. I’ve even used it in a 3rd level slot. Magic missile is okay, but bless is a standout, I feel.

Love the channel as always. Great advice. Just a heads-up, a spellbook is neither free, nor does it magically appear when you become a wizard. You'll need to spend 50 GP to buy a spellbook, if you aren't gifted one by an NPC. Maybe splurge for an enduring spellbook if your DM sells those for cheap and gave you a level 1 quest full of loot! Edit: typos

I played a Hlafling Diviner and one time i rolled a 1 as part of my portent, i used that one a boss creatures attack that would of hit an injured character and the DM rolled a 1 for it's second attack causing "the machine to be glitched". The monster ended up being turned around at attempting to attack our heavily armored fighter and missing.

Knowledge Cleric 1/Wizard X gives: - Medium armor and shields - 2 free INT skills w/ expertise - Access to good cleric spells that don’t need WIS (guidance, bless, etc) And it only delays your Wizard spells known by 1 level without delaying your spell slot progression. I guess you could argue that’s more of a wizard multi class, but I personally would start with the 1 level of cleric for the armor right at level 1. Plus, it gives you proficiency in CHA saves instead of INT saves, and I’d rather have decent saves to both INT and CHA than a really good INT save.

I just got Baldur's gate 3. The first thing I'm going to do is make this type of Wizard. So hype!

man i love knowledge 1/ wizard x so much

I know you said you were going to be picking a different race for every single build, but would it be worth talking about some of the best race options for each build? For example I think High Elf would be an excellent option for this build. It has the benefit of having a wizard attack cantrip at level 1, plus it fits the theme of scholarly diviner.

One addition. I personally always keep guiding bolt ready. It is the ultimate oh crap blast I keep as a back up just in case I need to you know blast a Sibriex back to the abyss.

Thank you.

Hey, now we have the Artificer, would this be a better first level (or even later level) dip then Cleric? Can you make a video on a multiclass Artificer?

Nice the Sub class i settled with.

I think portent goes around advange, it exchanges the portent roll with the roll of the check you use it with, so instead of rolling with advantage you just get the portent roll as result.

Portent dice are used in place of the entire roll, so advantage / disadvantage doesn't come into play

How convenient that I started a diviner yesterdays

At least the 9 in Str increases carry capacity by 15lbs. Cha really wouldn't do anything.

I use magic missiles as a way to try and break the concentration of other spell casters. Most nonwizard spell casters do not have shield as most innate spell casters do not have shield. Even at first level that is three concentration checks and more if you upcast it.

I like doing Order Cleric instead because you can support your party even more when you cast a spell on them.

What are your thoughts on starting with artificer and going to divination after? Does it cause more delay to spell progression? I was just considering it because you wouldn't have to use the wisdom in your point buy and could allocate your points to good attributes. Plus you get constitution saves and the same armor. your thoughts, sir? Thanks!

I almost always MC wizard at first level, and thought it seems weak at first tier it isn’t, although your group composition matters. In this instance you being able cast Bless takes the pressure of your Cleric to do so, At 3rd level you can open with Bless and that lets them start with. Spiritual weapon. Then you can start chipping in with cantrip damage. Improving everyone’s attacks by +2.5 and getting some damage in yourself makes you an odd but effective “damage dealer.” You improve the whole group chances that way. I have played his exact build and it’s perfectly fine all the way up. The only difference is I used Thunderwave for levels 1-4 instead of MM.

I think this can be improved even more now with Silvery Barbs to force more enemy re-rolls.

would appreciate a video with your thoughts on what you'd change on this build after tasha's

so if your dm allows the new cleric domain from ua would it be a better dip than knowledge? it seems really good and gets amazing darkvision that helps mitigate vhuman's main flaw plus the advantage on initiatives seems like it would free up the wiz4 asi as alert will be less needed. might make lucky a better option

When Eberron is released, are you planning to review the Artificer?

I'm coming back to this video because I may be playing as a Diviner in my next big campaign and I'm wondering if you would now substitute the Artificer for the Cleric.

I'm going to be playing this build, but i'll use artificer 1/ wizard 19 i think. That way i can get rid of all negative ability modifiers but still be tanky.

False life is a great spell to take with this build as the scaling is fantastic throughout level 20. Do you see value in this spell instead of magic missile?

Still not super sold on Magic Missile at 3. Rather have Grease, especially for the Grease/Web combo. Non-concentration control is so rare that it's worth grabbing when you can. It is admittedly quite situational and prone isn't super fantastic, but to me that loss of movement from standing is the best part of the spell. It's a great way to increase "stickiness" of things like Web. In my experience, Grease is a pretty good options for later rounds in combat to knock over a big bad (or even a small cluster) when you've got your concentration already occupied by something else.

Rip, they all got uploaded in the opposite order

Is it worthwhile to prepare Inflict Wounds with your Cleric level on days when you have a 20 Portent roll? It doesn’t scale especially well, but with a guaranteed crit it starts at 33 average damage at level 1, plus 11 for every slot level higher. At level 17, an upcast 1st level spell with the help of a portent does a guaranteed average of 121 damage, handily beating out Power Word Kill (admittedly not a great spell to begin with). No saving throws, no legendary resistance. Not a bad option when you’re still waiting on proper 9th level spells, and will shock your party, unused to you going in and annihilating something in melee. Only downside is an oft-resisted damage type and the melee range. You can even use your familiar to deliver the spell if you want to stay back a bit (probably at the cost of said familiar’s life, but that’s to be expected at high levels).

I'm building an Artificer + Diviner Wizard using a Forest Gnome (+2 Int, +1 Dex; Gnome Cunning; Minor Illusion cantrip) with an Inheritor Feat (Survival plus choice of *Arcana*, History, or Nature; a third language = Dwarvish; automatic acquisition of all gear you are proficient with, such as a shield, thieves' tools, tinker's tools, and a third tool = leatherworker's tools). Artificer give Perception and Investigation, medium armor and shield proficiency (can get AC 18 at 1st-level), and proficiency in thieves' tools and tinker's tools, as well as full 8+Con HP at 1st level. Then I'll go 4 levels of Wizard before deciding to get Artificer 2 Artillerist or not. After getting Artillerist, go up to Wizard 6 (9th character level) before deciding whether to go to Artificer 5 Artillerist to get the Arcane Firearm feature, depending on how the campaign plays out at the 10th level onward. This character progression pattern matches the indecisiveness of the Gnome character I'm playing because he loves both artifice and regular arcane spell-casting.

Finding this video 4 levels into a pure diviner wizard hurts 😅

If you had done artificer 1 instead of cleric 1 do you still recommend taking war caster as the variant human feat? Or could something like the Alert feat or Tough be good choices?

Why take Detect Magic at Level One Diviner when the Cleric can prep it as needed with their Knowledge / Arcana Domain 1 Level we started with? Rather than a suboptimal Healing Word why not one of the 1st Level rituals Cleric gets: Detect Magic; Detect Poison/Disease; Purify Food/Drink; or even Ceremony for cool RP moments. If we go Knowledge we also get Identify as a useful ritual so check that box too; If we go Arcana Domain we get Detect Magic anyway + as was pointed out Magic Missile AND 2 extra wizard cantrips rather than Command which we’ll never cast with our low Wis. Either way those Cleric flexible rituals free up other wizard spells when we take our first level there. Not Adventure League Legal if we want Xanathar spells but a nice trade off.

Not sure if you're trolling us with the Eberron pronunciation. If so, well played, sir!

Curous to know if you have taken level 2 priest at level 2 and then jumped completely to the wizard class. Being able to turn undead and knowledge of the ages, both seem pretty cool. I've not played either a cleric or Div Wiz yet in 5e these class bulds are super helpfull. Thanks Chris.

Rules as written, you only need one free hand to perform somatic components. Additionally, in the material components description in the spell casting chapter it says “A spell caster must have a hand free to access a spell’s material components - or to hold a spellcasting focus - but it can be the same hand that he or she uses to perform somatic components.” So there is no reason that you can’t cast spells with only somatic somatic components while you have your wand/staff in your hand

I believe you can get the medium armor and shield profeciency even if you multiclass into cleric- would perhaps getting the first level of cleric at level 2 alleviate early game issues? You start with less armor, but you get to select sleep at first level and use attack cantrips right away (including ray of frost to keep opponents at bay). Are you starting in Cleric* it due to the starting equipment Clerics get? Or were you more interested in their other proficiencies (Cha saving throws vs Intelligence)? *Edited to make my question a bit clearer :P

Ok Chris... bin dealing with a hurricane down here in Florida so just now playing catch up so far im loving this build but its got me to thinking... what cantrips would you use for your pacifist build?

there technically is a way to make better use of Warcaster's opportunity attack, IF you can spare an ASI. The way Warcaster is worded, you substitute any opportunity attack for a spell. Including the opportunity attack from the Polearm master feat, which you only need a quarterstaff for to be able to trigger it. Now you can use an action spell, when an enemy gets into melee with you. For example: Hold Person can be a lifesaver in this situation. But you can also use an AoE spell, as long as the enemy approaching you is the only target in the area of the spell. Thunderwave, to push the enemy, if you don't trust Hold Person's wisdom save. Or any other spell you can imagine that has a good stopping power against single enemies.

The Arcana domain (SCAG) is an interesting option if you are not playing an AL character. - You lose expertise in two skills. - You keep proficiency in Arcana. - You gain two usefull domain spells and two extra wizard cantrips. Losing expertise in Arcana sucks. The other skill, not so much. Religion is a good skill, though. Gaining two extra cantrips is a bit redundant, but I had some fun with shape water (wizard cantrip) and create water (1st level cleric spell). Prestidigitation and mage hand are always nice options to have. Futhermore, selecting mending as an extra wizard cantrip makes room for thaumaturgy. Glowing eyes and a booming voice are very fitting to a diviner. As for the domain spells, Magic Missile and Detect Magic (Ritual) are good spells that don't use your wisdom score.

using point buy, high elf can have 8/16/14/16/12/8 stats

Yes i think Crossbow would be 0.6 on average better damage wise.

Are there any important updates to this build given the new content released in the last 2 years?

If I am doing standard array and the campaign only goes to level 10 would you still recommend this multiclass build? Or should I just go all wizard? To get 13 wisdom I would have to take a 13 in either dex or con or a 15 in intelligence. I don’t want to change from human.

I'd started with the first lvl of wizard, otherwise great. Even though knowledge domain it's better concept-wise, other domains like Light or Arcana are interesting too, any insight?

Mark of healing halfling seems the better option but good build

Hey what do you think about Mind Spike as an spell option?

@Treantmonk pretty sure that Portent replaces the final roll so an enemy with advantage on saves still has to accept the portent as the final roll

One question can you make this work with standard array with a variant human? Sorry for the stupid question.

how do you pivot this diviner build to better fight off monsters with magic resistance, like devils?

So...there are Augurs, which are soothsayers and omen-readers who predict the future, and then there are augers, which are carpentry tools made for boring holes in wood. This character isn’t nearly good enough at drilling holes in wood IMO.

If the party lacks a trap/lock/skill monkey would I lose any potency adding the second level of cleric in the tier 1 area? I'm paired with a druid who can shore up some control.

I’m torn between mending and prestidigitation. I like prestidigitation for RP purposes but not sure how much mending will come up. What are your thoughts?

I for one want to see how you would build this with a Deep Gnome. Without the feat from Variant Human, I put the ASI instead at 4th level Wizard so I get an Int of 19. Would like to hear your take on how a gnome would differ and compare please

About the Sage background. You took 2 differents skills Acrobatic and Investigation, Can you choose Acrobatic? Don't really fit as a sage. As the rule in the player handbook is Proficiencies Each background gives a character proficiency in two skills. Skills are described in chapter 7. In addition, most backgrounds give a character proficiency with one or more tools. Tools and tool proficiencies are detailed in chapter 5. If a character would gain the same proficiency from two different sources, he or she can choose a different proficiency of the same kind (skill or tool) instead. ???

Since you’re using up a 1st level cleric slot on Command but never planning on using it, why not go for Inflict Wounds? The fun part is if you have a high portent roll available, then at say level 1 cleric/4 wizard you can send your flying familiar over enemy lines to deliver your touch attack to that well protected spell caster who’s trying to concentrate. Since portent let’s you be assured of a hit, you can upcast Inflict Wounds to 3rd level and deliver a guaranteed 5d10 damage with no save at effectively a 60 foot range.

Wouldn't whether War Caster helps with the somatic and material component problem depend on what you are holding in your hands? The feat only works if you have Weapons or Shields in your hands. Are Wands, or Rods, Weapons? I can see the argument for Staffs, but what else that a high level wizard might hold counts as a Weapon for the feat?

Is it worth to lose one lvl of wizard and be 1 lvl behind for the key power spikes level for armor and a few can trips and languages? Also I would pick up grease instead of feather fall. Is no concentration and grease + web is very potent

What do you think, is a high elf a good idea for race?

Love to see a Lore Wizard (UA) build at some point.

I dunno. It says "anytime you would replace a die roll" right? It makes sense to me that advantage/disadvantage would have an impact, but less. So, you still get to choose which die to replace. I dunno.

actually advantage to not prevent portent from working since you use it before a roll. Any good roll of portent once ennemies start getting legendary resistances ?

As a high elf i got to 14 wis, took sacred flames, guidance, and light, for cantrip, for my racial cantrip i took mage hand but i could swap it for RoF or minor ilusión

How would this build be as a Yuan TI Pure Blood if Stats were Rolled and I rolled really well and got a 18 Int right off?

What if we use only standard array. Should i dump(only 13) dex or con?

If you drop a creature out of the sky with hideous laughter and it takes fall damage it gets to reroll the save, right?

Would you use custom lineage in tashas?

If rolled stats were good enough could you go Str>Dex and choose a Cleric Domain that gave Heavy Armor? Is a Heavy Armor Wizard any good??

How do you adapt this build if you go straight wizard?

Omg im Doing this build at a friends house

You mentioned you need to get an arcane focus or a component pouch at second level, but do you realize you also need to get a spellbook somehow? You only get the starting items as cleric, so you either need to find a spellbook, or 50 gold to buy one. I guess you could downgrade your armor to get a bit more money, but just as easily you could start with wizard and only multiclass when you can afford the armor and holy symbol. I'll ask my dm about this, but that will most likely be my plan for a game we'll start this spring. Or just take the dip on second level and go without armor until I can afford it.

Been stewing on a Diviner/Arcane Trickster build that has the character posing as your run of the mill Halfling, bumming around and appearing lazy but using Halfling luck, the Lucky feat, Portent and AT features to befuddle does and steal to his hearts content.

I don't understand. When we are at the third level (Cleric1/Diviner2), where are your second level slots? I see 5 first level slots (2 for the cleric spells and 3 for the wizard spells). What do I miss?

Just now going through this. Why does DND Beyond only show that the only feat I can take is Grappler?

so how do you roleplay that character's development? starting as cleric then going to wizard, I mean, who does that? are there any examples of NPCs that follow similar paths? where is the precedent for this? I really want to hear this character's story. Most campaigns only run to 10th to 13th level, kinda reluctant to lose out on wizard development at ALL

alot of DM's don't allow multiclassing

Only things I do differently in my build is my subclass is war magic, I take WIS to 14 and CON to 13 to get resilience later. I pick up all the INT skill checks with insight and perception. I also like using Dragons breath with my owl familiar. Playing a Neutral Evil wizard i'm going to pick a few different spells.

Hi Chris! I'm about to start a diviner at level 1. What changes would you make now that new spells are available?