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Character Builds & Optimization
The Fencer: Swords Bard/Battlemaster Fighter/Hexblade Multiclass (wip)
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<blockquote data-quote="randmlgl" data-source="post: 7442164" data-attributes="member: 6957536"><p>I'm planning a similar character concept for Adventurer's League, and I figure I can add something to this:</p><p></p><p>For your Bard-focused build, you may want to consider keeping Bard levels at 15. You gain an additional ASI from level 16, but no new spell slots or spells known. As powerful as a feat can be, it competes with the Warlock's two Eldritch Invocations and additional spell slot at level 2. Losing Agonizing Blast/Devil's Sight is a hard bargain.</p><p></p><p>If you want more Warlock focus, you can even take Warlock to 3 for Tome Pact and trade an invocation for Book of Shadows. Having access to every ritual in the game means more non-ritual Bard spells for you to take advantage of, and the extra cantrips won't hurt. The two levels in Fighter still grant Action Surge, which is the real gold for that dip.</p><p></p><p>By the way, don't discount Valor Bard at high level play. Aside from Sorcerer with Quickened Spell, Valor Bard 14 is the only class that can cast Hold Person and make a bonus action melee attack in the same turn. All others need Haste or Action Surge.</p><p></p><p>Bard Focus: Swords Bard 15 / Warlock 2 / Battle Master 3</p><p></p><p>PROS: </p><p>- Eldritch Invocations</p><p>- +1 short rest spell slot</p><p>- +1 Warlock spell known (Armor of Agathys is the big one)</p><p></p><p>CONS:</p><p>- lose a feat</p><p></p><p></p><p>Bard Focus: Swords Bard 15 / Hexblade Tomelock 3 / Fighter 2</p><p></p><p>PROS:</p><p>- best ritual casting in the game</p><p>- 2nd level Warlock slots</p><p>- more cantrips</p><p></p><p>CONS:</p><p>- lose Battle Master maneuvers, which is a harsh trade for your character concept</p><p></p><p>Your Fighter seems about as good as it gets for melee. But if I can recommend something completely different, Bard+Hexblade+Fighter would make a lethal archer. An archer-type would actually benefit from more Bard levels, specifically Bard 10 for Swift Quiver. Whisper Bard would work obscenely well with its 5d6 Psychic Blade at level 10, and the spookiness of the archetype suits the Warlock.</p><p></p><p>5 Fighter for the extra attack and 5 Hexblade for Eldritch Smite would really stack on the ranged damage. With Swift Quiver, Sharpshooter, and Hexblade Curse, that's four shots dealing 1d8 piercing + Charisma mod + 17 each. With Eldritch Smite, Psychic Blade, and Grasping Arrow once per turn, that's an additional 5d6 psychic + 4d8 force + 2d6 poison. Double all of those dice if you smite on a crit.</p><p></p><p>Assuming you use Eldritch Smite with Grasping Arrow, the target begins their turn prone and takes an additional 2d6 slashing if they want to stand. Standing from prone costs half their movement, and Grasping Arrow saps another 10 feet from their movement, meaning that target isn't going anywhere without Freedom of Movement or Dimension Door. Your save DC isn't great, but the target still needs to waste an entire action if they want to make an Athletics check to escape the thorns. If a nearby Warlock buddy has them Hex'd, they can impose disadvantage if they'd like AND add another d6 every time they take damage.</p><p></p><p>Archer Bard: Whisper Bard 10 / Arcane Archer 5 / Hexblade Bladepact 5</p><p></p><p>PROS:</p><p>- big damage</p><p>- big lock-down potential</p><p>- very spooky</p><p>- Hexblade's Curse has no range limit after casting, meaning you can take full advantage of your bow's 600 ft range if you manage the right set-up (ie: Curse, then Dimension Door out)</p><p></p><p>CONS:</p><p>- only learn 5th-level spells</p><p>- very niche, very untested</p><p>- slightly MAD (14 Int for a decent Archer saving throw DC, not necessarily required)</p><p> </p><p>For a Blade Pact focused build, you may just want to pick between Bard or Fighter. Warlock 17 has 9th-level Arcanum, and Foresight is a major boon. Battle Master 3 has incredibly versatile attack actions with its combat maneuvers, while Sword Bard 3 is a mixed bag of skill proficiencies, spells, Expertise, and flourishes. Battle Master wins for Action Surge, but Sword Bard is tempting.</p><p></p><p>You may even want to trade Hexblade for Fiend. Not as exciting and definitely more MAD than the shiny new Hexblade, but Hurl Through Hell and short rest Fireballs are just that good. Definitely needs Elemental Adept tho.</p><p></p><p>Straight Bladepact: Bladepact 17 / Battle Master 3</p><p></p><p>PROS:</p><p>- foresight</p><p>- FORESIGHT</p><p>- four 5th-level slots</p><p></p><p>CONS:</p><p>- no room for Bard</p><p></p><p>Anyway, that's all I've got. Hope this gives some good ideas.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="randmlgl, post: 7442164, member: 6957536"] I'm planning a similar character concept for Adventurer's League, and I figure I can add something to this: For your Bard-focused build, you may want to consider keeping Bard levels at 15. You gain an additional ASI from level 16, but no new spell slots or spells known. As powerful as a feat can be, it competes with the Warlock's two Eldritch Invocations and additional spell slot at level 2. Losing Agonizing Blast/Devil's Sight is a hard bargain. If you want more Warlock focus, you can even take Warlock to 3 for Tome Pact and trade an invocation for Book of Shadows. Having access to every ritual in the game means more non-ritual Bard spells for you to take advantage of, and the extra cantrips won't hurt. The two levels in Fighter still grant Action Surge, which is the real gold for that dip. By the way, don't discount Valor Bard at high level play. Aside from Sorcerer with Quickened Spell, Valor Bard 14 is the only class that can cast Hold Person and make a bonus action melee attack in the same turn. All others need Haste or Action Surge. Bard Focus: Swords Bard 15 / Warlock 2 / Battle Master 3 PROS: - Eldritch Invocations - +1 short rest spell slot - +1 Warlock spell known (Armor of Agathys is the big one) CONS: - lose a feat Bard Focus: Swords Bard 15 / Hexblade Tomelock 3 / Fighter 2 PROS: - best ritual casting in the game - 2nd level Warlock slots - more cantrips CONS: - lose Battle Master maneuvers, which is a harsh trade for your character concept Your Fighter seems about as good as it gets for melee. But if I can recommend something completely different, Bard+Hexblade+Fighter would make a lethal archer. An archer-type would actually benefit from more Bard levels, specifically Bard 10 for Swift Quiver. Whisper Bard would work obscenely well with its 5d6 Psychic Blade at level 10, and the spookiness of the archetype suits the Warlock. 5 Fighter for the extra attack and 5 Hexblade for Eldritch Smite would really stack on the ranged damage. With Swift Quiver, Sharpshooter, and Hexblade Curse, that's four shots dealing 1d8 piercing + Charisma mod + 17 each. With Eldritch Smite, Psychic Blade, and Grasping Arrow once per turn, that's an additional 5d6 psychic + 4d8 force + 2d6 poison. Double all of those dice if you smite on a crit. Assuming you use Eldritch Smite with Grasping Arrow, the target begins their turn prone and takes an additional 2d6 slashing if they want to stand. Standing from prone costs half their movement, and Grasping Arrow saps another 10 feet from their movement, meaning that target isn't going anywhere without Freedom of Movement or Dimension Door. Your save DC isn't great, but the target still needs to waste an entire action if they want to make an Athletics check to escape the thorns. If a nearby Warlock buddy has them Hex'd, they can impose disadvantage if they'd like AND add another d6 every time they take damage. Archer Bard: Whisper Bard 10 / Arcane Archer 5 / Hexblade Bladepact 5 PROS: - big damage - big lock-down potential - very spooky - Hexblade's Curse has no range limit after casting, meaning you can take full advantage of your bow's 600 ft range if you manage the right set-up (ie: Curse, then Dimension Door out) CONS: - only learn 5th-level spells - very niche, very untested - slightly MAD (14 Int for a decent Archer saving throw DC, not necessarily required) For a Blade Pact focused build, you may just want to pick between Bard or Fighter. Warlock 17 has 9th-level Arcanum, and Foresight is a major boon. Battle Master 3 has incredibly versatile attack actions with its combat maneuvers, while Sword Bard 3 is a mixed bag of skill proficiencies, spells, Expertise, and flourishes. Battle Master wins for Action Surge, but Sword Bard is tempting. You may even want to trade Hexblade for Fiend. Not as exciting and definitely more MAD than the shiny new Hexblade, but Hurl Through Hell and short rest Fireballs are just that good. Definitely needs Elemental Adept tho. Straight Bladepact: Bladepact 17 / Battle Master 3 PROS: - foresight - FORESIGHT - four 5th-level slots CONS: - no room for Bard Anyway, that's all I've got. Hope this gives some good ideas. [/QUOTE]
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