Ok I know there have been countless threads and videos on Honor Mode over the years and I'm not simply asking for the best builds, but rather explaining my specific circumstances and looking for feedback on my current plan!
For context, I have about 250 hours in the game and have completed it 3 times (had one Honor Mode run end at Myrkul) but it's been about two years since I've played so I'm a little rusty and getting my bearings again as I teach my friend. He has never played the game, or dnd, but we thought it would be fun to start in Honor Mode as he enjoys the challenge and I like the stakes it gives us (plus no save scumming and forcing him to deal with his actions). If we lose the run, we'll just continue on as normal but I would like to do everything I can to try and succeed while letting him take the lead and experience everything for the first time relatively blind
That being said, here is the current plan/builds: I wanted to ensure survivability because I won't be min maxxing every encounter and he will inevitably get us in sticky situations taking the lead (which is our intention, it's fun!) so I went with a Life Cleric to focus on buffing and sustaining, as well as being the hard out character with sanctuary. For my companion, I'm doing a Hexblade Warlock because it wasn't in the game when I last played and I heard it's quite busted (I'm kind of looking for two "overpowered" builds I can run to counteract his complete lack of knowledge about the game). His two builds (per my suggestion) are a 10-2 Swords Bard Paladin and then the classic dual crossbow Gloomstalker because I used it in my run a while ago and loved it.
My question for those who are more up to date on strategies and builds is whether this specific team comp is missing anything important, or if it's well rounded enough/could be improved with simple switches. I'm hoping that with Hexblade Warlock and a dedicated Life Cleric in my control I can take the lead in combat and with buffing and sustain, and as long as he is on decent builds (he's okay with following a build guide cause it's a little overwhelming) then I think it should be fine? We're about 10 hours in and he's enjoying it and adjusting to the game well so far for it being Honor Mode, but we've certainly had lots of close calls with fairly minor encounters as low level in this mode is very punishing.
What I like about this team comp, on paper, is that there are a few synergies like how the Bard can give an extra short rest which restores the Warlock spell slots and the Channel Divinity for my Cleric. Another one is how the Gloomstalker and Warlock both benefit from darkness which helps both of us.
Again, not looking for build guides per se, just general thoughts or tweaks I can do with the current plan to make my life a little easier once things pick up :)