D&D 5E [GUIDE] Arrive on Time - A General Guide to Wizardry

TheBigHouse · Nov 9, 2015

NADRIGOL said:
So after an early post of Bladesinger Optimization suggested going...

Looks good. To be honest, warcaster is probably not that big of a deal. You can free action stow / grab a weapon, so it really only gets in the way of your reaction spells.

NADRIGOL · Nov 9, 2015

Meteors and Misty Step definitely on the list.
Spiritual Weapon would be unreal... But no feasible way to get it. Really makes Flaming Sphere look stupid though.
Hex and Hunters Mark would both be awesome... but I don't feel like giving up a level is worth it. If Ranger got Fighting Style at 1, and I could trade Fighter for it, then maybe. But if I'm putting in two levels, I'd rather it be in Fighter for Action Surge. Warlock also doesn't seem worth it...

NADRIGOL · Nov 9, 2015

TheBigHouse said:
Looks good. To be honest, warcaster is probably not that big of a deal. You can free action stow / grab a weapon, so it really only gets in the way of your reaction spells.

Shield.

Also looking forward to using OA's with spells. Bard with Dissonant Whispers in the party... should be fun.

And the Advantage on Con saves will be important if I'm frontlining.

Each feature on it's own isn't critical. But they're each relevant enough to the style to make the feat worth it.

TheBigHouse · Nov 10, 2015

NADRIGOL said:
Shield.

Also looking forward to using OA's with spells. Bard with Dissonant Whispers in the party... should be fun.

And the Advantage on Con saves will be important if I'm frontlining.

Each feature on it's own isn't critical. But they're each relevant enough to the style to make the feat worth it.

Yeah, that's legit.

FormerlyHemlock · Nov 12, 2015

TheBigHouse said:
Looks good. To be honest, warcaster is probably not that big of a deal. You can free action stow / grab a weapon, so it really only gets in the way of your reaction spells.

Reaction spells like Booming Blade are AWESOME for a tank's efficiency, arguably better than Sentinel. Allows you to spend your action Dodging while PCs do the killing, but you still deter enemies from bypassing you to hit the squishies. Advantage on Dex saves isn't bad either.

AC 26 plus Dodge is almost unhittable, and frequently the Shield isn't even needed. Very cheap to heal after combat, since per-round damage received is low.

Next time I make a tank, Warcaster is one of my top picks.

saintstardust · Nov 13, 2015

Which spells (or perhaps multiclass options) help the necromancer make the most of his animate dead damage boost? I think that accuracy would be the biggest problem, so effects that grant Advantage to the undead (like web or blindness) would be the biggest boost?

mellored · Nov 13, 2015

saintstardust said:
Which spells (or perhaps multiclass options) help the necromancer make the most of his animate dead damage boost? I think that accuracy would be the biggest problem, so effects that grant Advantage to the undead (like web or blindness) would be the biggest boost?

Crusader's mantle (+1d4 damage)
Fary fire (advantage).

FormerlyHemlock · Nov 13, 2015

saintstardust said:
Which spells (or perhaps multiclass options) help the necromancer make the most of his animate dead damage boost? I think that accuracy would be the biggest problem, so effects that grant Advantage to the undead (like web or blindness) would be the biggest boost?

Yes, Web is good. Otto's Irresistible Dance is good against legendary things, especially if you're using a Phantom Steed to mitigate the short range. Wall of Force is good too in a separate way, by letting you divide and conquer, having more time to spend giving loving attention to a particular foe.

Evard's Black Tentacles is in a sweet spot: more time to shoot, AoE damage to counteract swarms, advantage against big creatures. Small AoE though.

Crusader's Mantle is overrated for Necromancers You already have good damage per hit, especially with heavy crossbows. Don't turn it down if someone else is paying, but it's not exciting unless you're fighting vampires or other things with a weakness to radiant damage. Honestly I'd rather have Spike Growth on my side than Crusader's Mantle.

Book of Lost Spells has more spells for necromancers.

TheBigHouse · Nov 13, 2015

mellored said:
Crusader's mantle (+1d4 damage)
Fary fire (advantage).

I can speak from experience, fairy fire + horde of skeletons = massacre.

TheBigHouse · Nov 13, 2015

Hemlock said:
Reaction spells like Booming Blade are AWESOME for a tank's efficiency, arguably better than Sentinel. Allows you to spend your action Dodging while PCs do the killing, but you still deter enemies from bypassing you to hit the squishies. Advantage on Dex saves isn't bad either.

AC 26 plus Dodge is almost unhittable, and frequently the Shield isn't even needed. Very cheap to heal after combat, since per-round damage received is low.

Next time I make a tank, Warcaster is one of my top picks.

I'm pretty unequipped to talk about viable tank strategies so I will take your word for it lol.