Unleash the Ultimate Party: The Top Solasta Builds You Need to Try

Solasta: Crown of the Magister offers Dungeons & Dragons fans an exceptional adaptation of the D&D 5e rules in a tactical RPG format. By utilizing the System Reference Document, the game tasks players with creating the eponymous artifact that holds the fate of the world. While the storyline is somewhat linear, Solasta’s approach to the system provides an opportunity for players to experiment with their builds and create their dream team. For those looking to optimize their options, here are some of the best party builds in Solasta: Crown of the Magister.

Holy Trinity: Paladin, Ranger, Wizard, Cleric

Paladin (Devotion)

For players looking for an optimal party setup in Solasta and D&D 5e, following the Holy Trinity approach can be a great option. This approach is based on the popular RPG trope of the same name and can ensure a smooth first or casual playthrough. To get started, consider the following "basic" party setup.

The Paladin fulfills a crucial role as the team's tank, combining the Fighter's combat prowess with the Cleric's buffing capabilities. With the ability to deliver powerful Smites, the Paladin can also provide protective abilities, making the Devotion subclass an excellent choice. As primary healers, Paladins have access to spells such as Lesser Restoration and Aid, and their ability to cast Revivify can be a true lifesaver at higher levels.

Ranger (Hunter, Shadow Tamer)

When starting with the Lowlife Background, the Ranger is equipped with the skills for picking locks, making them a valuable asset to the team. In case of emergencies, they can also provide healing support with their Goodberry ability. Their proficiency in long-range combat makes them ideal for defending vulnerable allies such as the Wizard and Cleric. For specialization, the Hunter and Shadow Tamer subclasses offer a range of useful options to enhance the Ranger's combat strategy.

Wizard (Greenmage, Shock Arcanist)

As the DPS half of the AOE archetype, the Wizard requires a focus on Arcana (Intelligence) along with the abilities to Detect Magic and Identify, which enable them to craft Magic Items for the team. With their ability to unleash sudden bursts of damage, they pose a serious threat in combat, relying heavily on spells like Wall of Fire to take down melee opponents.

The choice of subclass ultimately depends on the player's personal preferences. Opting for Greenmage provides access to a minion through Conjure Animals and additional healing via Goodberry, while Shock Arcanist allows for even greater damage output with spells like Magic Missiles.

Cleric (Law, Battle)

As the secondary healer of the team, the Cleric provides continuous buffs and emergency healing. Two essential spells are Bless and Healing Word, with additional specializations that vary depending on the subclass chosen. The Battle Cleric subclass prioritizes combat, while the Law Cleric subclass can prove useful against mages with access to spells like Shield and Counterspell, especially when using ranged attacks.

Full Combat Coverage

The Full Combat Coverage setup is designed to optimize players' experience of the main campaign in the D&D game by assigning the major combat roles to specific Classes. With this build, players can make the most out of their playthrough and emerge victorious in battles.

Paladin (Judgment)

Ranger (Swift Blade)

While the Paladin can serve as a sub-healer with the Devotion subclass, opting for Judgment can significantly increase their damage output. Their abilities such as Guiding Bolt and Enhance Ability provide consistent buffs, and Weight of Justice can also be used to immobilize opponents. Overall, Judgement Paladins are known for their devastating attacks.

A Swift Blade Ranger is an excellent choice for primary melee DPS. With their ability to dual-wield via Blade Dance, they can consistently deal damage while also receiving bonus AC. In boss battles, Battle Focus can be used to rack up significant damage points quickly. Additionally, if paired with the Lowlife Background, the Swift Blade can also serve as the team's Stealth expert. Their high DEX allows for seamless switching to a bow for ranged combat without hindering their performance.

Druid (Balance)

Wizard (Court)

Access to Protection (Fighting Style), Shield Proficiency, and Spell Shield can provide Wizards with exceptional defense. Their Counterspell Mastery also allows them to weaken enemy spellcasters, providing players with ample room to personalize their Wizard’s combat strategy.

Standard Attack

For those who prefer a more assertive approach in their D&D 5e gameplay, it may be worth considering character creation that can handle standard combat encounters. These characters are not designed to exploit the game's combat mechanics, but rather provide players with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the game without facing unnecessary challenges at higher levels.

Fighter (Spellblade)

Transforming a Human Spy into a Spellblade can greatly increase the Fighter's adaptability. By wielding a Magic Weapon, they can overcome any resistance and their ability to cast non-Greenmage spells, such as Light, can improve their vision. Additionally, features like Spell Tyrant and Arcane Escape provide additional combat options without straying from the role of a tank.

Cleric (Law)

While Clerics are typically known for their healing abilities, a Dwarf Law Cleric offers a unique set of skills with extra Weapons Proficiency and a diverse range of attack options. One notable ability is Holy Retribution, which allows for a Reaction-based mini-Smite that deals 2d6 Psychic damage. As the Law Cleric gains higher levels, they also gain access to powerful buffs such as Shield, additional attacks like Lightning Bolt, and even the ability to counter spells with Counterspell.

Ranger (Swift Blade)

The Ranger's ability to dual-wield provides benefits in both AC (Blade Dance) and damage (Battle Focus), making them a valuable sub-DPS. Additionally, if they have a Lowlife Background, they become the go-to specialist for stealth operations.

Wizard (Shock Arcanist)

While the Academic Background provides access to the Manacalon Rosary, those with a Sellsword Background gain proficiency in Medium Armor. For those looking for enhanced combat capabilities, the Shock Arcanist subclass is a perfect fit. Through the use of Arcane Warfare, staple Wizard spells like Fireball and Chain Lightning can be elevated to higher levels and deal increased damage.

Cover All Bases

Solasta’s unique gameplay allows for players to create versatile party compositions that can adapt to any combat situation. With the Cover All Bases build, characters can focus on specific roles while still being able to fill in other positions when needed. For instance, the Paladin (Motherland) can serve as the party’s reliable tank with their high Charisma and Strength stats, but they also have access to powerful spells like Branding Smite, Scorching Ray, and Fireball, making them invaluable sub-nukers in case of emergencies. Additionally, their Smites make them highly effective in combat, acting as battering rams to take down opponents.

The Cleric (Battle) is not only a sub-healer but can also serve as a secondary tank due to their innate protections. Their abilities, such as Spiritual Weapon and Spiritual Guardians, can turn them into formidable frontline DPS units when utilized effectively.

As for the Wizard (Shock Arcanist), they excel in the role of a nuker with the ability to cast free upcasted spells, resulting in powerful AOE attacks at a lower spell cost. Additionally, their background as a Sellsword grants them access to Medium Armor, enabling them to serve as "mage tanks" in emergency situations with spells like Shield, Absorb Element, Counterspells, and even the Shield Proficiency feat.

The Ranger's impressive Dexterity allows them to deal significant base damage, whether they opt for a melee-focused assassin approach or prefer to take on the role of a ranged sniper. Choosing the Hunter subclass provides substantial bonuses to either playstyle. Moreover, their ability to create Goodberries grants the Ranger a reliable source of backup healing, while their Lowlife background makes them adept at sneaking and lockpicking.

Hard Nuking

Maximizing damage output in a single turn can be an exciting strategy to employ when creating a party in Solasta. With the right approach, a Hard Nuking team can elevate Classes to their more battle-focused variations.

Paladin (Devotion)

With access to both healing and buffing abilities such as Aid, Lesser Restoration, and Shield, a Devotion Paladin is the perfect combination of a tank and healer. Their Heavy Armor and Shields make them incredibly durable, while their powerful Smites allow them to deal massive damage to enemies. They are like a battering ram on the battlefield, unstoppable and unyielding.

Wizard (Shock Arcanist)

Shock Arcanists are not only skilled crafters with high Intelligence and Arcana, but they also have the ability to become walking nukes. This is due to their subclass offering free upcasts of offensive spells like Magic Missile, Chain Lightning, and Fireball.

Cleric (Lightning)

In addition to their healing abilities, Clerics can also pack a punch with lightning attacks. By utilizing spells such as Thunderwave, Lightning Bolt, and Ice Storm in strategic placements, Clerics can become formidable nukers on the battlefield. Furthermore, a Sylvan Elf Cleric can benefit from heavier armor, allowing them to take on off-tank roles as well.

Ranger (Hunter)

As the expert in stealth operations for the team, the Sylvan Elf Ranger with a Lowlife Background is responsible for picking locks and carrying out thievery tasks. With the ability to use Goodberry for emergency healing and their specialized DEX, they can easily transform into skilled snipers.

Survival Mode

For those seeking a challenge in their D&D 5e experience, Solasta's Cataclysm Difficulty offers formidable foes that require players to fully utilize the game's mechanics. The addition of Survival Mode presents players with strategic options to outlast their opponents and gain an edge in battles.

Paladin (Tirmar)

A Tirmar Paladin is known for their simplicity among the Paladin Subclasses. They possess the ability to cast Hold Person and Blindness in addition to their Smite, which makes them an excellent choice for dealing high burst damage. Moreover, their proficiency in the Shield spell and armor makes them ideal for tanking, allowing them to easily charge through enemies while using Smite without much concern.

Cleric (Battle)

Battle Clerics are renowned for their ability to wield both sword and shield with great proficiency. They excel at providing frontline healing support with a range of powerful spells and beneficial buffs at their disposal. Their arsenal includes techniques such as Divine Fortitude, which grants them temporary hit points, Battle Magic, which allows them to cast spells even with their hands full, and Decisive Strike, which stuns enemies. Additionally, Battle Clerics can use their Herald of Battle ability to boost allies' Attack and Damage Rolls, AC, and Saving Throws by +1.

Cleric (Oblivion)

An Oblivion Cleric's ability to anticipate and avoid surprises makes them a valuable asset as scouts, in addition to their impressive durability. With skills like Herald of Pain and Strike of Oblivion, they can deal devastating amounts of damage. Their Mark of Fate is also incredibly useful, as it can mark all enemies for the entire party. Furthermore, their Chill Touch ability can prevent even the toughest bosses from healing, making them a formidable substitute for the Ranger.

Wizard (Greenmage)

Greenmages are highly versatile Wizard subclasses that excel in tougher difficulties. To ensure food requirements are met, it is essential to have Goodberry in your arsenal. As for offensive capabilities, Faerie and Entangle are great choices that progress into powerful AOE spells like Fireball and Black Tentacles. Their spell repertoire also includes defensive options like Shield and Counterspell, making them a formidable force against a wide range of threats. Additionally, Greenmages can also be sneaky alternatives to Rangers thanks to spells like Pass Without Trace and Haste.

The Purpose-Driven Life

The strategy of the Purpose-Driven Life party focuses more on establishing fundamental overworld capabilities in Solaria gameplay among party members, rather than relying solely on combat-heavy D&D 5e builds.

Lockpicking

Players who want to bypass locked chests and rooms may want a member who can pick locks. A Rogue or Ranger with the Lowlife Background is ideal

Carrying Capacity

A high-Strength character like a Fighter can bypass the game’s carrying restrictions.

Healing/Goodberry

A Ranger who can cast Goodberry can provide healing even inside dungeons and away from towns.

Crafting

A Wizard or high-level spellcaster can craft Magic Items, giving players more powerful gear.

Hyperfocused Functions

(General) Darkvision:

This party setup offers a unique approach to Purpose-Driven Life by emphasizing the importance of specific skill combinations to overcome challenges, rather than assigning general roles to characters.

Solasta's lighting requirements are strict, which highlights the importance of Darkvision for all party members. Players can obtain Darkvision through various means such as race selection (Dwarves, Elves, Half-Elves, Marsh Halflings), casting the Darkvision Spell or equipping themselves with the Ring of Darkvision.

(General) CHA Skills

Each individual attending the event should concentrate on honing their Face Skill or Charisma Skill, which encompasses Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion. All of these abilities can be utilized in conjunction with a Class archetype that aligns with the player's preferences.

(Wisdom/Charisma) Spell Mod For Healing

Dual-purpose DPS/Healers like the Paladin, Druid, and Cleric can be highly effective medics in a four-member party where everyone is expected to deal damage. This approach can render pure healers vulnerable, as they may not have the offensive capabilities needed to fend off attackers.

(Strength) Athletics

Athletics (Strength) is a crucial specialization for tanking Classes such as the Paladin or skilled combatants like the Fighter, as it allows them to overcome certain obstacles that may arise during exploration. These damage sponges can also serve as effective forward scouts, absorbing damage from unexpected encounters and keeping the rest of the team safe.

(Intelligence) Arcana

With the help of the Manaclon Rosary, a party member skilled in Arcana (Intelligence) can create Magic Items, reducing the need for the party to spend both time and Gold. It is ideal for a spellcaster to take up this role as they are likely to have the necessary skills to cast Detect Magic and Identify, making them a valuable asset in the creation of magical items. Solasta: Crown of the Magister was released in 2020 and is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S.