Magic Missile Optimization: The Missiler D&D 5e

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Timestamps:
0:00 The Trick
2:10 The Rules
3:20 Optimizing the Rule
7:17 What works and what doesn't
13:53 The Missiler
15:36 Limitations

[Goku__]

"I cast Shield, haha now what will you do?"
*Is still a 17th level wizard*
"Ahh shit."

[akmi]

Of all spells that belong on Artillerist, Magic Missile is the most logical.

[markcronan]

We have a player who loves magic missile for the simplicity of it. I think I may recommend this video to her.

[Vagran]

"We're starting off with a twitter exchange."
For a second there I was worried. Well played.

[thgungrunts]

My gm gave me a staff of magic missiles that when used as a focus swapped the damage die to a d6.

I ran the entire campaign only casting magic missiles, and ran it as a wizard who only knew the "real spells that mattered."

Counter spell. Shield. Fly. Magic missile

[purpleniumowlbear]

You can always count on Chris for a full in-depth analysis. I appreciate how thoroughly you research your topics. No matter how much I’ve investigated a feature interaction, I always learn something new when it’s covered here.

[cobrachicken]

Perfect for a Frieren-inspired character, where the only spells you need are the basic attack and defense (Shield). Throw in Fly and you too can take a journey to Heaven to give your last respects

[jacobjensen]

I always thought Jeremy Crawford’s ruling on Magic Missile was really weird. Now that I’ve seen the exact rule he’s referencing, it makes way more sense.

If you hit 5 creatures with a Fireball, you don’t roll damage 5 different times, you roll damage once. Same thing applies to Magic Missile.

[acxbry]

Now I want an Aarakocra Missiler named A-10 Warthog because missiler go

[The_Crimson_Witch]

15:52 As far as I know, there is no single creature with multiple reactions that can take more than one reaction in a turn. All the ones I can think of say "X creature can take up to 3 reactions in a round, but no more than once per turn."

[alienkillswitch]

With the "Shavarran Birch (FORCE) Imbued Wood Focus" you can add a +1 bonus to one damage roll of the spell of the same damage type. So you can squeeze out an additional +1 Force damage for each Magic Missile dart. (Source: Eberron: Rising from the Last War p. 277)

[joshl]

Tiny build note, you flag the minimum CHA to mulitclass out of Warlock, but not the minimum DEX or STR to multiclass into Fighter. Otherwise 10/10 video. Fantastic as always.

[nikcantsnipe]

This is the video I've been waiting for. I'm the one who asked you if I can magic missile on my artificer list through the lorehold background as it allows you to add one first level spell from the cleric or wizard list. And man! What a shame! Thank you for your consistent uploads. They're incredibly informative. Magic missile happens to be one of my favorite spells, so I hope if there's ever another Artificer class added in the future (oh wait no, its supposed to be backwards compatible lol), it gets it. Although I'm pretty sure the goblin hex wizard probably will always get the most out of it.

[AtelierGod]

I’ll say something that technically counts as homebrew but not the worst choice, with Fizbans released there’s now gem dragons in 5e, ask your DM if your Draconic bloodline sorcerer could be a Amethyst dragonic bloodline sorcerer using the Gem Dragonborn subrace option this says its damage resistance is force damage and should work with magic missile.

[Dango]

Subtle spell shield has never looked so jucy before.
I really like this idea since most builds that focus on a singular thing dont do anything else. This is for 95% of campaigns just a straightforward wizard with a hexdip, wich also provides other useful things.

[frankyquilavafireblast]

Me who just finished a run of BG three with what is affectionately referred to as the real gale rail gun
Magic missile.
The magic item that lets him cast magic missile, but give him an additional dart.
And an item that adds a D4 lightning damage
It was insane to say the least

[LuizCesarFariaLC]

When that 300+ DMG popped on the screen, I hit rewind to hear the explanation again. lol

[ChristnThms]

I've long considered MM a utility spell for things like breaking concentration. I knew the Evoker trick, but hadn't delved into how far it can be taken. Very impressive!

[lesfeckingo]

15:18 Shavarran Birch Focus is a common magic item it will add nearly 100 damage to this first round. It’s Eberron - Rising book: “When you cast a damage-dealing spell using this item as your spellcasting focus, you gain a +1 bonus to one damage roll of the spell.” Each type of wood is a different “extra-planar energy” Shavarran Birch is +1 Force.

[matthewconlon]

I’d also want to mention a related combo is Jim’s Magic Missile and Hex. Jim’s is 3 attacks at 1st level. IIRC you can sub it in for normal magic missile on your list but they’re not mutually exclusive so you can learn both.

6d4+3d6 with critical potential of 15d4+6d6.
Higher risk but absolutely a joy when you have advantage.