Deez Nuts Synergies & Abilities
This page serves as a quick combat and utility reference for the Deez Nuts party. Use the sections below to quickly find what each character can do during combat and when solving problems outside of battle.
Quick Combat Reference by Turn Phase
On Your Turn - Actions ⚔️
| Character | Action | Effect | Resource Cost | Range/Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Weapon Attack (Spear/Shortsword) | Attack with Weapon Mastery (see below) | — | Melee |
| Weapon Mastery: Spear (Sap) | Enemy has disadvantage on next attack roll | — | Melee | |
| Weapon Mastery: Shortsword (Vex) | You have advantage on next attack against that creature | — | Melee | |
| Divine Smite (FREE) | +2d8 radiant damage as bonus action | 1/Long Rest | Melee | |
| Lay on Hands | Heal ally or self 30 HP (can split) | 30 HP pool/Long Rest | Touch | |
| Vow of Enmity | Advantage on all attacks vs one target for 1 minute | Channel Divinity | 10 ft | |
| Spell: Bless | 3 allies get +1d4 to attacks & saves for 1 minute | 1st level slot | 30 ft | |
| Spell: Bane | 3 enemies get -1d4 to attacks & saves on failed CHA DC 14 | 1st level slot | 30 ft | |
| Spell: Shield of Faith | +2 AC to one creature for duration | 1st level slot | 60 ft | |
| Spell: Lesser Restoration | Cure Blinded/Deafened/Paralyzed/Poisoned | 2nd level slot | Touch | |
| Summon Steed | Summon horse (60 ft move, 120 ft with Dash) | Spell slot | Self | |
| Gootcha | Weapon Attack | Standard attack (can trigger Sneak Attack) | — | Varies |
| Sneak Attack | +3d6 damage if advantage OR ally within 5 ft of enemy | Once/turn | Varies | |
| Uncanny Dodge (Special) | Use bonus action + 0 move for advantage on next attack | — | Self | |
| Cantrip: Spare the Dying | Target succeeds on all death saves | — | Touch | |
| Karma | Wild Shape | Transform into beast (AC 18, +15 temp HP) | 2/Short Rest | Self |
| Beast Attack | Attack as wild shaped creature | — | Varies | |
| Spell: Faerie Fire | Enemies in 20 ft cube outlined; attacks vs them have advantage (failed DEX save) | 1st level slot | 60 ft | |
| Spell: Protection from Evil and Good | Attacks vs target have disadvantage; immune to charm/frighten | 1st level slot | Touch | |
| Spell: Protection from Energy | Resistance to one damage type for target | 3rd level slot | Touch | |
| Revivify | Return dead creature to life (within 1 minute) | 3rd level slot + 300gp diamond | Touch | |
| Keyleth | Weapon Attack | Standard attack | — | Varies |
| Hunter's Mark | +1d6 damage on each attack vs target | 1st level slot, Bonus Action | 90 ft | |
| Swarm Attack | Target takes 1d6 piercing OR moved 15 ft (failed STR DC 14) OR Keyleth moves 5 ft | Once/turn | Varies | |
| Primeval Awareness | Sense aberrations, celestials, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, undead in 1 mile | Spell slot | 1 mile radius | |
| Spell: Faerie Fire | Enemies in 20 ft cube outlined; attacks vs them have advantage (failed DEX save) | 1st level slot | 60 ft | |
| Spell: Bless | 3 allies get +1d4 to attacks & saves for 1 minute | 1st level slot | 30 ft | |
| Shade | Weapon Attack | Standard attack | — | Varies |
| Bardic Inspiration | Give ally 1d8 to add to ability check, attack, or save (lasts 1 hr) | 3/Short Rest | 60 ft | |
| Counter Charm | Perform; allies in 30 ft get advantage vs frighten/charm | Action | 30 ft radius | |
| Spell: Darkness | Create 15 ft radius magical darkness (can target object) | 2nd level slot | 60 ft | |
| Spider Staff: Web | Cast Web spell | Staff charges | 60 ft | |
| Spider Staff: Spider Climb | Grant Spider Climb | Staff charges | Touch | |
| Xanphina | Rage | Advantage on STR checks & saves; resistance to physical damage | Limited/Long Rest | Self |
| Weapon Attack | Standard attack (improved during Rage) | — | Melee | |
| Savage Attacks | On critical hit, add 1 more damage die | — | Melee |
On Your Turn - Bonus Actions 💫
| Character | Bonus Action | Effect | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Hunter's Mark | +1d6 damage on each attack vs target | 1st level spell slot |
| Divine Smite (FREE) | +2d8 radiant damage | 1/Long Rest | |
| Gootcha | Hex | +1d6 necrotic on attacks vs target; disadvantage on chosen ability check | Spell slot |
| Uncanny Dodge Setup | Use bonus action + 0 move for advantage on next attack | — | |
| Karma | Wild Shape | Transform into beast | 2/Short Rest |
| Feline Agility | Double speed until end of turn (can't use again until 0 ft move) | Once until reset | |
| Keyleth | Hunter's Mark | +1d6 damage on each attack vs target | 1st level spell slot |
| Shade | Bardic Inspiration | Give ally 1d8 to add to ability check, attack, or save | 3/Short Rest |
| Xanphina | Rage | Enter Rage state | Limited/Long Rest |
Reactions & Off-Turn Abilities ⚡
| Character | Reaction | Trigger | Effect | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Polearm Opportunity Attack | Enemy moves in melee range | Free attack | — |
| Aura of Protection | (PASSIVE) Allies in 10 ft | +3 to all saving throws | — | |
| Gootcha | Uncanny Dodge | Hit by attacker you can see | Halve the damage | Reaction |
| Whispers of the Grave | Sneak attack triggers | 2nd target in 30 ft takes +2d6 necrotic | 3/Long Rest | |
| Karma | (No listed reactions) | — | — | — |
| Keyleth | (No listed reactions) | — | — | — |
| Shade | Cutting Words | Creature makes attack/check/damage roll | Subtract 1d8 from their roll | Bardic Inspiration |
| Hellish Rebuke | Creature damages you | 2d10 fire damage to attacker | Spell slot (Reaction) | |
| Xanphina | Spirit Shield | Creature in 30 ft takes damage | Reduce damage by 2d6 | Reaction |
| Ancestral Protectors | (PASSIVE) After you attack | Enemy has disadvantage vs others; allies resist damage from that enemy | — |
Saving Throw Reference 🎲
Forcing Enemy Saves (By Save Type)
| Save Type | Ability | Character | DC | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STR | Swarm Attack | Keyleth | 14 | Target moved 15 ft or Keyleth moves 5 ft |
| DEX | Faerie Fire | Karma, Keyleth | Spell DC | Outlined; attacks vs them have advantage |
| CHA | Bane | Alexios | 14 | -1d4 to attacks & saves |
Giving Enemies Disadvantage on Saves
| Character | Ability | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Gootcha | Hex | Target has disadvantage on chosen ability check |
Helping Ally Saves
| Character | Ability | Effect | Resource Cost | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Aura of Protection | +3 to ALL saving throws for allies in 10 ft | Passive | 10 ft aura |
| Bless | +1d4 to saves for 3 allies (1 min) | 1st level slot | 30 ft | |
| Keyleth | Bless | +1d4 to saves for 3 allies (1 min) | 1st level slot | 30 ft |
| Shade | Bardic Inspiration | +1d8 to one save | 3/Short Rest | 60 ft |
| Counter Charm | Advantage vs frighten/charm for allies in 30 ft | Action | 30 ft | |
| Xanphina | Danger Sense | Advantage on DEX saves vs effects you can see | Passive (self) | — |
Damage Reduction & Protection 🛡️
Self-Protection
| Character | Ability | Effect | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Aura of Protection | +3 to all saves (reduces spell damage) | Passive |
| Shield of Faith (self-cast) | +2 AC | 1st level slot | |
| Savage Attacker | Reroll weapon damage once/turn (keep better) | — | |
| Gootcha | Uncanny Dodge | Halve damage from one attack | Reaction |
| Karma | Wild Shape | +15 temp HP, AC 18 | 2/Short Rest |
| Protection from Energy (self) | Resistance to one damage type | 3rd level slot | |
| Healer | Reroll 1s on healing | Passive | |
| Keyleth | Mask of the Wild | Can hide when lightly obscured | — |
| Shade | Hellish Resistance | Resistance to fire damage | Passive |
| Hellish Rebuke | Retaliate for 2d10 fire damage | Reaction, spell slot | |
| Xanphina | Rage | Resistance to physical damage | Limited/Long Rest |
| Relentless Endurance | Drop to 1 HP instead of 0 | 1/Long Rest | |
| Danger Sense | Advantage on DEX saves | Passive | |
| Savage Attacks | +1 damage die on crits | Passive |
Ally Protection
| Character | Ability | Target | Effect | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Aura of Protection | Allies in 10 ft | +3 to all saves | Passive |
| Lay on Hands | Touch | Heal up to 30 HP | Pool/Long Rest | |
| Bless | 3 allies | +1d4 to attacks & saves | 1st level slot | |
| Shield of Faith | 1 ally | +2 AC | 1st level slot | |
| Lesser Restoration | Touch | Cure Blinded/Deafened/Paralyzed/Poisoned | 2nd level slot | |
| Gootcha | Spare the Dying | Touch | Auto-succeed all death saves | Cantrip |
| Karma | Protection from Evil & Good | Touch | Attacks vs target have disadvantage; immune charm/frighten | 1st level slot |
| Protection from Energy | Touch | Resistance to one damage type | 3rd level slot | |
| Revivify | Touch | Bring back from dead (within 1 min) | 3rd level slot + 300gp | |
| Keyleth | Bless | 3 allies | +1d4 to attacks & saves | 1st level slot |
| Shade | Bardic Inspiration | 1 ally | +1d8 to check/attack/save (lasts 1 hr) | 3/Short Rest |
| Song of Rest | Party during short rest | +1d6 healing if spending hit dice | Passive | |
| Counter Charm | Allies in 30 ft | Advantage vs frighten/charm | Action | |
| Xanphina | Ancestral Protectors | Allies | Enemy you attacked has disadvantage vs others; allies resist damage | Passive after attack |
| Spirit Shield | Any creature in 30 ft | Reduce damage by 2d6 | Reaction |
Party Synergies & Combos 🔥
Setup + Payoff Combinations
Advantage Engine
- Setup: Karma or Keyleth cast Faerie Fire on clustered enemies (20 ft cube)
- Payoff: Entire party gets advantage on all attacks vs those enemies
- Best for: Large encounters with grouped enemies
Tank & Spank
- Setup: Xanphina attacks enemy and activates Ancestral Protectors
- Payoff: Enemy has disadvantage vs everyone else; party resists damage from that enemy
- Best for: Single powerful enemy encounters
Sneak Attack Enabler
- Setup: ANY party member moves within 5 ft of Gootcha's target
- Payoff: Gootcha gets automatic Sneak Attack (+3d6 damage)
- Best for: Every combat (free damage boost)
Mounted Assault
- Setup: Alexios summons Steed (60 ft move, 120 ft with Dash)
- Payoff: Any party member can ride for extreme mobility
- Best for: Chasing enemies, repositioning, kiting
Save Stacking
- Setup: Alexios casts Bless on 3 allies near him
- Payoff: Those allies get +3 (Aura) + 1d4 (Bless) to ALL saves
- Best for: Fighting spellcasters or dragons
Damage Amplification
- Setup: Alexios or Keyleth cast Hunter's Mark on target
- Payoff: Each attack deals +1d6 damage (stacks with other bonuses)
- Combo: Use with multi-attack characters or Gootcha's Sneak Attack
Crowd Control + Focus Fire
- Setup: Shade casts Darkness on enemy spellcaster or ranged enemies
- Payoff: They're blinded; party focuses on other threats first
- Note: Party can't see into darkness either; use tactically
Debuff Stacking
- Setup: Alexios casts Bane on 3 key enemies
- Combo: Gootcha uses Hex for ability check disadvantage on one
- Payoff: Enemies struggle with attacks, saves, and checks
- Best for: Boss fights and tough encounters
Buff Stacking Guide
Maximum Save Bonus (Single Target):
- Alexios Aura of Protection: +3
- Bless from Alexios or Keyleth: +1d4
- Shade Bardic Inspiration: +1d8
- Total: +3 + 1d4 + 1d8 (avg +9.5 on a save!)
Maximum Attack Bonus (Single Target):
- Bless: +1d4
- Hunter's Mark: +1d6 damage
- Advantage (Faerie Fire, Vow of Enmity): Roll twice
- Gootcha Sneak Attack (if conditions met): +3d6
Maximum Survivability Stack:
- Xanphina Rage: Resistance to physical damage
- Alexios Shield of Faith: +2 AC
- Xanphina Ancestral Protectors: Enemy has disadvantage
- Xanphina Spirit Shield: -2d6 damage (reaction)
- Result: Nearly unkillable frontline
Resource Management
Spell Slot Efficiency:
- Bless = Best bang for 1st level slot (affects multiple allies for 1 minute)
- Faerie Fire = Best advantage source (affects multiple enemies)
- Hunter's Mark = Best single-target damage boost
Short Rest Recovery:
- Shade: Bardic Inspiration recharges (3 uses)
- Karma: Wild Shape recharges (2 uses)
- Gootcha: Whispers of the Grave recharges (3 uses)
Long Rest Recovery:
- Alexios: Lay on Hands (30 HP pool), Divine Smite (1 free), Vow of Enmity
- Xanphina: Relentless Endurance (1 use), Rage uses
Out of Combat Utility 🔧
Exploration & Survival
| Character | Ability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Summon Steed | Fast travel, scouting, carrying supplies |
| Karma | Wild Shape | Scouting (as small animal), infiltration, water travel |
| Feline Agility | Sprint double speed for escaping/chasing | |
| Keyleth | Favored Enemy (Dragons & Undead) | Advantage on Survival & INT checks about them |
| Favored Terrain (Grassland & Mountain) | Advantage on WIS & INT checks; move faster | |
| Primeval Awareness | Detect creature types in 1 mile radius | |
| Mask of the Wild | Hide in natural environments when lightly obscured | |
| Spider Staff: Spider Climb | Climb walls and ceilings |
Social & Problem Solving
| Character | Ability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Shade | Bardic Inspiration | Boost social checks (Persuasion, Deception, Insight) |
| Spell: Darkness | Create cover, block line of sight, intimidate | |
| Alexios | Lesser Restoration | Cure poisons, diseases, paralysis outside combat |
| Gootcha | Hex (disadvantage on ability check) | Make enemy fail Strength check (breaking free), Charisma (lying) |
| Karma | Revivify | Resurrect fallen ally (within 1 minute of death) |
Information Gathering
| Character | Ability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Keyleth | Primeval Awareness | Detect aberrations, celestials, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, undead |
| Favored Enemy | Recall lore about dragons and undead | |
| Shade | Bardic Inspiration | Boost Investigation, Insight, Perception checks |
| Karma | Wild Shape | Scout as bird, mouse, or other small creature |
Quick Reference Tables
Movement Options
| Character | Ability | Speed Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Summon Steed | 60 ft (120 ft with Dash) for rider |
| Karma | Feline Agility | Double speed (once until reset) |
| Keyleth | Favored Terrain | Move faster in Grassland & Mountain |
| Keyleth | Spider Staff: Spider Climb | Climb speed equal to walk speed |
Healing Sources
| Character | Ability | Healing Amount | Resource Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexios | Lay on Hands | Up to 30 HP (can split) | Pool/Long Rest |
| Karma | Healer Trait | Reroll 1s on healing spells | Passive |
| Revivify | Restore to 1 HP (from death) | 3rd level slot + 300gp | |
| Shade | Song of Rest | +1d6 during short rest | Passive |
| Gootcha | Spare the Dying | Stabilize dying ally | Cantrip |
Condition Removal
| Condition | Character | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Blinded | Alexios | Lesser Restoration |
| Deafened | Alexios | Lesser Restoration |
| Paralyzed | Alexios | Lesser Restoration |
| Poisoned | Alexios | Lesser Restoration |
| Charmed | Shade | Counter Charm (grants advantage vs) |
| Frightened | Shade | Counter Charm (grants advantage vs) |
| Dying | Gootcha | Spare the Dying |
| Dead | Karma | Revivify (within 1 minute) |
Notes & Strategy Tips
Combat Priorities
- Alpha Strike: Karma/Keyleth use Faerie Fire to grant advantage; focus fire with Hunter's Mark
- Protect Squishies: Xanphina attacks priority target to trigger Ancestral Protectors
- Maximize Saves: Keep allies within Alexios's 10 ft Aura of Protection
- Resource Conservation: Use Bardic Inspiration wisely; short rest to recover key abilities
- Emergency Buttons: Xanphina's Relentless Endurance, Gootcha's Uncanny Dodge, Karma's Wild Shape HP
Frequently Overlooked Abilities
- Alexios's Savage Attacker: Reroll weapon damage once per turn (free damage boost)
- Gootcha's Whispers of the Grave: Splash damage on Sneak Attack targets (3/long rest)
- Shade's Cutting Words: Can turn a hit into a miss or reduce damage after seeing the roll
- Keyleth's Swarm: Can move 5 ft without provoking opportunity attacks
- Xanphina's Spirit Shield: Reaction to reduce ally damage (not just self)
When to Use Spell Slots
1st Level Slots - Best Uses:
- Bless (Alexios, Keyleth): Multi-turn, multi-target benefit
- Faerie Fire (Karma, Keyleth): Multi-target advantage for whole party
- Hunter's Mark (Alexios, Keyleth): Long single-target fights
2nd Level Slots - Best Uses:
- Lesser Restoration (Alexios): Curing critical conditions
- Darkness (Shade): Tactical control, escape, or protection
3rd Level Slots - Best Uses:
- Revivify (Karma): Only use for death recovery
- Protection from Energy (Karma): Against dragons, elementals, etc.
Party Roles Summary
- Tank: Xanphina (Ancestral Protectors, Rage, high HP)
- Striker: Gootcha (Sneak Attack), Alexios (Smite, Hunter's Mark)
- Controller: Shade (Darkness, Cutting Words), Karma/Keyleth (Faerie Fire)
- Support: Shade (Bardic Inspiration), Alexios (Aura, Bless, Healing)
- Scout: Karma (Wild Shape), Keyleth (Primeval Awareness, terrain mastery)