Summary
With the release of the updated 2024 Player’s Handbook, many players are likely to soon test out builds developed inBaldur’s Gate 3within the tabletop format. The landmark success of the Larian Studios game can in part be attributed to the level of freedom offered by its many build options, and several of them stand out as unconventional in the ways they take advantage ofBG3’s different ruleset. One of these is a build centered around thrown weapons facilitated by the Tavern Brawler Feat, which has never been as viable inDungeons and Dragons, but could find new life following key rule changes in theDungeons and Dragons2024Player’s Handbookupdate.
Hurling various objects and even other characters is an enjoyable and effective playstyle inBaldur’s Gate 3, acting as one of the game’s more humorous uses of its open-ended rules. Now thatDnD’s update introduces a new system that benefits these kinds of alternative builds on top of other rule changes, it could be more viable than ever to commit to throwing weapons instead of wielding them traditionally as a martial class.
How Dungeons and Dragons' 2024 Update Benefits Thrown Weapons
Synergy Between Fighting Styles and Tavern Brawler
The Thrown Weapon Fighting Style offers a modified effect which benefits Extra Attack using throwing weapons with the Light property, making the added damage from the player’s Ability modifier more consistent. This pairs well with the updatedTavern Brawler Feat that matchesBaldur’s Gate 3’s implementation more closely, benefiting unarmed strikes now in a way which can affect thrown weapon attacks if they are ruled to fall under improvised weapons.
The Introduction of Weapon Mastery
Unique properties can be added to weapons usingDungeons and Dragons' Weapon Mastery class feature, including those that can be thrown. This makes it a versatile way to potentially augment these options, with examples like the Push Mastery Property possibly being able to space out enemies by creating even more space after a thrown weapon attack or Nick being able to consolidate dual-wielding attacks into one Action.
Building a Throwing Character in Dungeons and Dragons 2024 is Closer to Baldur’s Gate 3’s Approach
Embracing the Chaotic Benefits of Multiclassing
The most effective way to replicate the diverse nature ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s thrown weapon buildsinDnDis to multiclass for stacked features. Combining Fighter and Barbarian while building for high Strength along with Weapon Mastery can lead to reliable damage or other effects from throwing. When paired with the versatility of the Fighter’s Extra Attack, even options like Rogue can make for a blend of stealth and range through thrown weapon attacks. With a stack of bonuses applied, even a simple dagger wielded at early to mid-level, when thrown, can take its initial 1d4 damage up to around 11 points on average. When this kind of build gets its hands on Light weapons with higher damage rolls along with Extra Attack, the output per turn can become considerable for a ranged martial character.
Game Master Rulings Can Make or Break Throwing Builds
If allowed, Tavern Brawler can offer a considerable increase in damage output for Strength-based throwing characters. Depending on how the rules are interpreted, there’s even the potential for added subclasses like the Path of the Giant of2023’sBigby Presents: Glory of the Giantsto throw massive objects for significant damage in the right context. The limit inBaldur’s Gate 3comes from how many improvised weapons the player can find to throw successively, but in the more open format of tabletop after the 2024 update, there’s no telling how sustainable a thrown weapon build can be made.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
