And why is it, "Into Avernus: the Search for a Heart"?

I played an evil run on my second play through. In act 3 I randomly walked into a fireworks shop and it didn't take long for me to realize what must be done. I managed to clear the building and scavenge every firework, loose or boxed, into my stash. After finishing up all my loose ends in act 3, I hauled as much as I could with the mighty cloth on my barbarian to the final fight.

After clearing the way to the portal, I gathered everyone I could inside the portal, laid down every explosive on hand and sent a lone little rocket to set it all off.

I want to say it looked amazing but my computer couldn't handle all the fireworks going off all at once and lagged hard. However, I did one-shot the Netherbrain on turn one and accomplished exactly what I wanted.

Spoiler

Spoilers for Act 3, by the way.

1. Get to Act 3 and start the Murder Tribunal Quest.
2. Separate your party to have the main thief be separated and invisible.
3. you want this character’s sleight of hand to be buffed to the max, Smuggler’s Ring, Gloves of Power, Graceful Cloth/Enhance Ability (Dex), Guidance, Bardic Inspiration, Proficiency, Expertise, Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring, etc.
4. Speak to the Bhaal Cultists and seek judgement from the Tribunal.
5. Once the spirit is summoned (such as Dribbles the clown) you can move your invisible thief up to them and pickpocket them.

It is a DC 29 check, so going Rogue 10 for Reliable Talent and having +8 proficiency is only going to get you to 18. Smuggler’s Ring(+2), Guidance, Bardic Inspiration, Gloves of Absolute Power and Shapeshifter’s boon Ring give you a minimum of +1. Minimum total increase of +6, so we’re at 24 minimum now.

Graceful cloth gives another +1 Dex modifier, and you can max you Dex with ASI, giving you another +5.

In theory you don’t need all these items, as Reliable Talent gets you a minimum 30 with all these items.

Be warned, as after the thieving is done, combat will start.

Suffering from chronic restartitis I’ve just had an idea about a semi unique build I have not seen much discussion about anywhere. I’ve been wondering whether it would be viable or not.

As per title, the gist of the build is going full rogue- but instead of going full DEX we would keep it just high enough to gain +2 to AC and instead go full STR. The benefits of this would be:

• Longer jumps
• (literally) Reliable pushing thanks to profeciency in athletics and the lvl 11 reliable talent
• Sneak attack procs from throwing daggers, which combined with Tavern Brawler could do some serious damage - havent done the math though.
• More carry weight obviously
• could equip one of the ~~versatile~~ edit: finesseable longswords and take advantage of GWM while still being able to proc sneak attacks

The cons would be lower AC and worse sneaking and pickpocket, though the Reliable talent again would solve those issues at lvl 11.

As for the subclass Thief would work best for extra bonus action I think. Though assassin would probably work too? The guaranteed crit throw sneak attack would obliterate an enemy before the combat even started.

Have anyone tried this?

Edit: as for race obviously Githyanki and maybe Shield dwarf would work best for free Medium armor prof.

Edit2: fixed mistakes

Source: https://x.com/vicarfriedrich/status/1798667399459213670?s=46&t=GbE8ReEOkzhFLBYUqahnig

Apparently if the majority of your camp supplies are alcohol, the game now gives you a hangover debuff after a long rest. Thankfully it doesn't last very long, but that's a fun little update.