Creating a D&D character is an exciting journey. Players often get numerous options to build their characters, and they can be as flexible as they want to be. Sometimes, such flexibility leads to potentially troublesome overpowered character builds.
Whether you’re a DM or a player looking for overpowered character ideas, you can benefit from reading this article. We’ve covered some of the most popular D&D 5E builds along with some helpful tips for managing an overpowered character.
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Overpowered DND 5E Builds Explored
The Goodberry Connoisseur
Special Quirks:
- Nature-loving Cleric
- Ultimate Healing Supplies
- Extra Buffs Galore
The Life Domain Cleric is one of the most useful builds in D&D 5E. The build guarantees continuous healing as well as helpful buffs like Bless and Beacon of Hope. But if you want to take your Life Domain Cleric to the next level, you can multiclass into Druid.
To become a Goodberry Connoisseur, you only need one level in Druid. Be sure to get the Goodberry spell and obtain 10 magical berries that can heal 1 HP each. Since your character is a Life Domain Cleric, it can cause goodberry to heal 4 HP instead. This simply means that a wounded character can just snack on ten berries and get healed for a total of 40 HP. Since only the goodberries are used, the other options of the Life Cleric are free to be used by the party.
In a protracted or drawn-out battle, the Goodberry Connoisseur build is a real glimmer of hope. The build might feel broken in terms of healing, but it sure fills an important niche. Plus, the possible continuous usage of goodberries is still under the DM’s discretion.
The Beefy Cleric
Special Quirks:
- High AC
- Strong healing capabilities
- Multiclass options are strong bonuses
Getting a high AC is one of the most important goals in D&D 5E. A character with high AC can go through different encounters and live to tell the tale. While you can always gear up to get the best AC, you will get long-term benefits by choosing the right build. One seemingly overpowered build that you can try is the Beefy Cleric.
To start a Beefy Cleric build, you must choose Warforged as a race. The Warforged race has a +1 bonus to AC, and such bonus will complement most class options. Next, choose a Forge Cleric class build. Forge Clerics get another +1 AC bonus with Blessing from the Forge and another +1 permanent bonus at Level 6. The permanent bonus will only take effect if your Forge Cleric wears Heavy Armor.
If you want to take the build further, you can multiclass into Fighter and get another +1 bonus. You can even use chainmail and shield to raise the base AC to 20 (excluding bonuses). It’s possible to get a 22+ AC for the Beefy Cleric build.
The Classic Coffeelock
Special Quirks:
- No rest needed to recover spell slots and sorcery points
- Absolute versatility between Warlock and Sorcerer
- More brokenness with magic items
The Coffeelock is one of the most popular overpowered builds in D&D 5E. This build combines the powerful invocations of a Warlock and the metamagic prowess of a Sorcerer. A successful Coffeelock build will turn into a mighty spell-churning hero who doesn’t need to rest.
It’s actually easy to start a Coffeelock build. First, you must get two levels in Warlock. Take the Moon invocation and an additional option to improve your Eldritch Blast. Now, once the opportunity is available, you must multiclass into a Sorcerer. From there, it’s all about manoeuvrability.
Coffeelock works by transforming Warlock spell slots into sorcery points and sorcery points into spells. Now, you will enjoy a continuous influx of spells as long as you still have short rest for sorcery points. And if you gained a magic item that circumvents resting? Well, your Coffeelock build will get even more broken!
Tips for Playing Overpowered DND 5E Builds
Do you now have an overpowered character but are worried that somehow you might mess the gameplay up? Well, don’t worry, this article section will give you some tips on how to play an overpowered D&D 5E character.
Let Others Enjoy the Game
In D&D, everyone must enjoy the game – DM included. Otherwise, the game might feel too dragging for some players. This can lead to desertion, loss of momentum, or the campaign falling apart. If you have an overpowered character, do not hog the spotlight. Let others enjoy the game whenever there’s a chance.
Don’t Push the Boundaries Too Much
Overpowered characters are filled with crazy concepts and broken options. It’s okay to pitch these options once or twice. But if you pitch so many options at once, you might end up irritating the DM and other players. Remember, you’ve already pushed the boundaries by presenting an overpowered build. Don’t do it too much.
Also, it’s also important to know how lenient the DM is. Lenient DMs allow overpowered builds while strict DMs establish many interconnected rules to keep the game balanced.
Accept the DM’s Judgment
The DM is the game’s sole adjudicator, arbiter, storyteller, and referee. Plus, the DM spends a considerable amount of time building the campaign world. If your overpowered character idea was rejected, don’t take it personally. The DM is doing his best to keep everything balanced for the sake of enjoyment and campaign longevity.
If you have issues regarding a DM’s ruling, you should open up a professional discussion. Don’t go into a long rant attacking the DM’s judgment. Be nice and reasonable, and you just might earn the DM’s quick approval.
Don’t Focus on Strengthening Your Build
An overpowered D&D character has a great build right from the start. During the course of the game, you will have the chance to further strengthen the build or enjoy the game. The best route is to simply enjoy what the game has to offer. Strengthening your build for the sake of power will just ruin the fun for others.
Aim for Character Development
Instead of power-refining your overpowered character build, you should just aim for character development. You can do this by focusing on the things that matter for your character’s goals. Perhaps an event can be tied to your character’s backstory or tragic past. Or maybe your character felt deeply moved by an NPC’s story. Additionally, you can seek for minor quests than can strengthen your character’s personal mission or resolve. The possibilities for character development are endless, so don’t waste them!
FAQ for Overpowered D&D 5E Builds
Is it difficult to make an overpowered character build?
Answer: It depends on how overpowered you want the character to be. If you want the character to be efficient in combat, it’ll be easier to build it. However, if you want the character to be totally powerful in all aspects, the process will be difficult. You need to research and gather character options and feats. And at the end of the day, you still have to get the approval of the DM.
Do DMs hate overpowered characters?
Answer: To a certain extent, yes. Overpowered characters can derail a campaign, especially if the DM isn’t prepared to handle the balancing issues. It’s also mentally taxing for a DM to manage a campaign filled with overpowered characters. However, some DMs are lenient (or crazy) enough to run an unbalanced campaign! After all, the Rule of Cool exists in D&D 5E and tabletop in general.
Are joke characters considered overpowered?
Answer: Joke characters can be overpowered and underpowered at the same time. A joke character can be funny because of its overpowered abilities, and it can also be funny because of its inherent weakness. Joke characters can typically attack many times per turn or they have ridiculously too many spell slots. Or perhaps a joke character can be immobile, useless, and sentient.
Is it bad to metagame just to achieve the perfect character build?
Answer: In most tables, yes. Metagaming is not favourable because it’s an act of one-upping the DM. By metagaming, a player uses his knowledge to win encounters or just be ahead of the campaign’s curve, instead of just relying on character knowledge. Also, there is no such thing as a perfect character build. All characters have strengths and weaknesses that balance each other out.
Are magic items necessary for making an overpowered build?
Answer: Yes, magic items can affect an overpowered character build. But then again, you should keep in mind that the DM has the final say when it comes to the distribution of magic items.
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with building an overpowered character. However, you shouldn’t build an overpowered character for the sake of power itself. Always remember that D&D is a collaborative game, and you need to know the opinions and inputs of your co-players. Lastly, you must respect the DM’s decision when it comes to restriction and balancing.
Do you have an idea for an overpowered character build? Please share your idea in the comments’ section below!
