D&D (2024) +Caster Single Target Damage+

[Zardnaar]

It's hard to say if they fall off without seeing the MM.

But Moon does get +2d8 + 2d10 extra damage (assuming 2 attacks) on top of whatever the beast attack is. Which is better than a basic Valor bard with +3d6 true strike.

Not going to beat Valor + Eldritch Blast + CME, but at low levels, dragging an enemy though spiked growth may the the top damage.

Moon probably wins for toughest caster though at higher levels too. Since you get scaling THP for a level 1 slot.

They're probably not going to drastically change animal forms. Best available from 2014?

Hence
Moon Druid *.

 

[Zardnaar]

Interesting contender. May not strictly conform to OP but maybe there's an exploit here.

Upcasting chromatic orb. % chance of it "bouncing". Each bounce can trigger CME.
The math isn't my own can't verify it. Wife found it on Reddit.

1st 34.4%
2nd 59%
3rd. 79.5
4th. 92.3%
5th. 98.1

I did some practice rolls and yeah it bounces a lot more dice used.

 

[FrogReaver]

They're probably not going to drastically change animal forms. Best available from 2014?

Hence
Moon Druid *.

Lion was significantly buffed. I have hope there will be some others.

 

[FrogReaver]

Interesting contender. May not strictly conform to OP but maybe there's an exploit here.

Upcasting chromatic orb. % chance of it "bouncing". Each bounce can trigger CME.
The math isn't my own can't verify it. Wife found it on Reddit.

1st 34.4%
2nd 59%
3rd. 79.5
4th. 92.3%
5th. 98.1

I did some practice rolls and yeah it bounces a lot more dice used.

Numbers are accurate. It is interesting. As long as their are 2 enemies to bounce it between then that could be a big burst of damage.

 

[ECMO3]

I hadn't really paid attention to Glyph of Warding but you're sure right! Wow, I can see placing buttons on your clothing for different spells you've stored, triggering with a touch and password. It doesn't just bypass concentration, but it bypasses spell slots since you're using a prior days spell slots. It basically creates one-shot items. A dimension door cast into one is an emergency escape item. You can cast all sorts of situational spells as needed, simply making them in your off hours. It does have a costly component though. But not that costly.

One big problem is this line from the spell:

"If the surface or object is moved more than 10 feet from where you cast this spell, the glyph is broken, and the spell ends without being triggered."

 

[ECMO3]

Fair.

But that still leaves Eldritch Knight's feature, which isn't under "Extra Attack".

Though it's limited to wizard cantrips.

After a lot of debate, wailing and nashing of teeth, and rereading the rules; I have come around and I agree there is a good argument that you can use the EK War Magic ability RAW with Bladesinger/Valor Extra Attack because it is not part of the Extra Attack feature.

So an EK 11/Valor Bard 6 could do any of the following:

Attack 3 times: Fighter 11 Extra Attack
Attack 2 times and use 1 Wizard Cantrip: Fighter 11 Extra Attack + War Magic
Cast one Wizard Cantrip and one other Cantrip from any class: Valor Bard Extra Attack + War Magic

What constitutes a "Wizard Cantrip" on a Fighter subclass ability is not explicitly defined and depending on how you interpret that and the specifics, this could be quite limiting for a Character with at least 6 full caster levels, but I do agree it can be done.

 

[Worrgrendel]

Numbers are accurate. It is interesting. As long as their are 2 enemies to bounce it between then that could be a big burst of damage.

This won’t work. Each creature can only be targeted once per casting of the spell. It’s in the upcast description:

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 1. The orb can leap a maximum number of times equal to the level of the slot expended, and a creature can be targeted only once by each casting of this spell.

 

[mellored]

Interesting contender. May not strictly conform to OP but maybe there's an exploit here.

Upcasting chromatic orb. % chance of it "bouncing". Each bounce can trigger CME.
The math isn't my own can't verify it. Wife found it on Reddit.

1st 34.4%
2nd 59%
3rd. 79.5
4th. 92.3%
5th. 98.1

I did some practice rolls and yeah it bounces a lot more dice used.

That's assuming you land the attack, it's also once per target.

Though with Innate Sorcery, Seeking, and Empowered, you can probably hit everything once most of the time.

Though that does leave Bard 10 for CME/Sorcerer 3 with Sorcerer's Scorching Ray a good option.

 

[Ashrym]

If the glyph is moved 10 feet from where it is placed, the glyph ends.

One big problem is this line from the spell:

"If the surface or object is moved more than 10 feet from where you cast this spell, the glyph is broken, and the spell ends without being triggered."

This isn't a big issue. It's a restriction. Think "kill zone prep".

It takes time and gold to place several Glyphs that are both offensive, defensive, and/or self healing.

Another restriction is in the spells prepared versus slots available. For example, a 6th level Valor Bard has 3 slots for Glyph of Warding that would be restricted to the target rules, 1st and 2nd level spells the Bard has, and most likely be planned for the following day.

An 18th level Bard can do the same with a combination 13 slots available for Glyph of Warding and Spell Glyphs plus 7 more slots that can only be Spell Glyphs. 10 hours of spellcasting and 2000+ GP of powdered diamond can be done with that day of prep for that planned location.

Picking up Hex or Hunter's Mark via feat and the kill zone can use an 8th and 9th level slot for a Power Word Stun Spell Glyph, a 6th and 7th level slot for CME upcast as a Spell Glyph, two 4th level slots for a Fount of Moonlight Spell Glyph, and a 3rd and 1st level spell slot for a Hex Spell Glyph.

Day of encounter the target in the kill zone takes a PW Stun and Hex, and the Bard triggers both Fount of Moonlight and CME buffs with a full complement of spells available. Shapechange into a Hydra for 5 attacks and 5 reactions. That's 5d10+25+5d6+10d6+30d8 damage in attacks before reactions while it lasts.

It takes an hour and 200gp to slip a qualifying spell in to a mix of damage with a Spell Glyph. It's not a stretch with a little prep time to bypass the concentration requirements on one spell.

There's room for shenanigans.

 

[FarBeyondC]

Friendly reminder that Eldritch Adept exists (if using 2014 stuff) and Pact of the Tome is a valid Eldritch Invocation now.

Reasonably arguable to require a level in Warlock (if "they function as Warlock spells for you" means you need to be able to cast as a Warlock), but I've happily given up a feat and a level for access to three of Eldritch Blast, Sorcerous Burst, Spare the Dying, Starry Wisp, and Thorn Whip on my Bladesinger.