Help me build a non-tavern brawler thrower (please)

[oriav6]

Hello! I've just started a playthrough with Gale as my main character and Karlach as a companion. It is an Honour Mode run that I plan to do with this duo only for most of the game, and probably add Jaheira and Minsc later. Gale is a storm sorcerer and will go for a cold/ lightning damage build (unclear of the details yet), and I want to make a throwing build for Karlach.
Now, I really don't want this to be the generic OP Tavern Brawler with a returning weapon that kills everyone in two rounds. Karlach will help with making the enemies wet using water bottles and barrels, she will definitely throw enemies at each other, and she will throw weapons of course, but I'm looking for some creative ideas.
I've tried to make a crate full of explosives to throw and make nice explosions, but that doesn't work.
At the moment I'm level 3, and l've taken Eldritch Knight for Karlach because the returning weapon does help a lot in early game, and she can cast a lot of utility spells to take the load off of Gale, who is a sorcerer with limited spells.
Any ideas? Feats? Different class? Items?
Thanks!

[stepan.kabele]

If you do not want tavern brawler, throwing builds are not that great. What about swords bard and ranged weapons? From level 3 slashing flourish is awesome - plus full caster.

[oriav6]

Originally posted by stepan.kabele:

If you do not want tavern brawler, throwing builds are not that great. What about swords bard and ranged weapons? From level 3 slashing flourish is awesome - plus full caster.

Oh I’ve played a swords bard and it is incredibly fun!
I do want a throwing build because it’s very versatile and fun, with a lot of room for creativity, and it does work well with what I’m planning for Gale.
I’m simply okay with the build not being the most powerful option, and would rather trade it with other interesting options that might open up new ideas for throwing stuff, not just the most powerful weapon with +million to damage roles.

[jonnin]

The problem with not taking TB feat is that you lose out on a massive boost to hit chance. This is far more damage in the big picture than the extra str damage (that is only 5 points most of the game, 6 in act 3?). WIth the feat, you will almost never miss other than critical failures.

Going without it, the question becomes, what else the character will do. A utility thrower (grease bottles, alchemy fire bottles, etc) perhaps? A *enemy* thrower (pick up enemy and throw them at other enemy)? Something else?

[oriav6]

Originally posted by jonnin:

The problem with not taking TB feat is that you lose out on a massive boost to hit chance. This is far more damage in the big picture than the extra str damage (that is only 5 points most of the game, 6 in act 3?). WIth the feat, you will almost never miss other than critical failures.

Going without it, the question becomes, what else the character will do. A utility thrower (grease bottles, alchemy fire bottles, etc) perhaps? A *enemy* thrower (pick up enemy and throw them at other enemy)? Something else?

Well TB does give you a ridiculous hitting chance. But it’s not that without it you don’t do damage at all. The thrown weapons still do decent damage.
But to your question - I think everything you said applies. Throwing bottles, grenades, barrels (specifically water to help Gale with his cold/lightning damage); throwing enemies around as much as possible when their size allows it; throwing very heavy items from heights to make throwing + gravity modifier damage (these heavy objects can be “created” by putting random smaller objects in crates and empty barrels); and also throwing weapons the “normal way” to just do damage. Being an Eldritch Knight gives me some decent utility spells that I otherwise wouldn’t have.

The point is - obviously TB is the better option in terms of damage. But I’m not looking to just throw the same weapon 3 times a turn to do 200 damage. I’ll beat the game but I find it to be very boring.
I’m looking for creative ideas, that would no doubt be weaker than the classic TB build, but would give me variety and interesting options.

Some of the things I already know, but I opened this thread to get more ideas, if anyone has any - regarding specific items for example, or other feats (I’ve thought about Athlete and Alert).

And that’s it basically. I’m looking for creative (and a bit weaker) alternatives to the OP, yet boring (imo) tavern brawler build.

[Kamuizin]

Aren’t you creating problems for yourself, trying to make something without the best tool for it?

[oriav6]

Originally posted by Kamuizin:

Aren’t you creating problems for yourself, trying to make something without the best tool for it?

Could be!
I can always take the feat if I need to or see that things aren’t working. Just trying to explore other directions.

[Kamuizin]

If you want something different, make a build that also benefit from throwing bombs and grenades.

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Grenades

Gonna need to steal a lot and do lots of alchemy (make one of the hirelings a transmutation mage lvl 2 at least for this).

Carry some containers with you and fill them with some grenades, based on this:

“When placed in destructible containers, multiple grenades can be thrown at once by throwing the container. However, the dispersed grenades won't take damage from the throw and will need to be manually triggered by a secondary damage source.”

Throw the container on enemies and either use extra attack to throw another blasting grenade or use some AoE fire damage near them.

But sincerely, i wouldn’t make a build solely for this.

Edit: above all, this is an inventory cleaner move!

[oriav6]

Originally posted by Kamuizin:

If you want something different, make a build that also benefit from throwing bombs and grenades.

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Grenades

Gonna need to steal a lot and do lots of alchemy (make one of the hirelings a transmutation mage lvl 2 at least for this).

Carry some containers with you and fill them with some grenades, based on this:

“When placed in destructible containers, multiple grenades can be thrown at once by throwing the container. However, the dispersed grenades won't take damage from the throw and will need to be manually triggered by a secondary damage source.”

Throw the container on enemies and either use extra attack to throw another blasting grenade or use some AoE fire damage near them.

But sincerely, i wouldn’t make a build solely for this.

Edit: above all, this is an inventory cleaner move!

Thanks!
I’ve tried the container thing myself and was disappointed that the grenades didn’t m explode when I threw the crates. That would’ve been a decent thing to make a build around.
But I am definitely planning to use this trick, it’s part of the arsenal.
I’ll see how that goes.

Appreciate the help!