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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 9652849" data-attributes="member: 2629">You and I have a similar approach, it seems, but I do not share your disdain for builds generally.  Some builds are intended to convey an archetype that the game does not directly serve.  Those are benefits while many others are very reasonable until they truly come on line.  The ones that make no sense until they reach a certain level are, however, not my cup of tea.  However, ones that truly tell a good story that can add to the campaign are awesome.For example, in a current campaign I am playing an Undead Warlock Moon Druid mix.  I plotted out the design through level 20 before I began.  It is not set in stone, but we're 14 now and I am following the plan so far.  For this character, the build is part of my contribution to the story.The PC was on his way to becoming a druid when a tragedy befell his family.  A powerful spirit made a deal with him to help him resolve the tragedy, but it corrupted him.  The result?  The beast forms he takes on tend to fall to corruption when he transforms, resulting in them taking on nightmarish features.  In play, this involves me casting an Armor of Agathys, an Enlarge, a Fire Shield, or other spell I can reskin to be nightmarish and then using Wildshape.  I then follow up with Form of Dread as a Bonus Action or Telekinesis from my feat as a Bonus Action (reskinned to be something disgusting shooting off my body to throw enemies or allies around).  At one point I was a Huge gore dripping Grizzly Bear enshrouded with fire, ice and acidic blood oozes.  Now that I can change into an elemental ... the nightmares get worse.The DM is running Burning Sky and has worked my malady into the story in a satisfying way.  He also has allowed me opportunities to draw in additional nightmarish features by using elements of the module (tattoos - IYKYK) to further transmogrify my PC when wildshaped.  I feel like this is a good way to run a build that slowly unfolds.  If the story had pushed me a different way I might have abandoned the darkness and held to the light ... but the dark path I plotted, story wise and mechanically, has resulted in a really fun experience.When the build tells a story, and the DM can run with it, it can be wonderful. To that end, I think builds do have a good place when used well.</blockquote>

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