smbakeresq
Explorer
CHR use is the point of Swashbuckler, its not mathematically optimized but it is RP wise.
If you use BB you cant use a bonus action to attack again, you have to use cunning action to disengage. The use of a bonus action to attack again is to get 2 chances to land a sneak attack. You have to decide which one you want to go for.
You don't give up a wizard level by making CHR higher, just your INT score. If you can squeeze in Alert its fine, IMO Alert is more of a luxury for MC build like this as you will only get 4 feats or bumps anyway if going to rogue 3.
I wouldn't prioritize weapon use either. It just seems that's what he wants to do. I wouldn't even play a bladesinger to even use weapons that much unless I was a 5th member of the party, you are far more effective just being a wizard and using your ever expanding, controlling spell list and just enjoying the defensive benefits. Every bladesinger I have seen played weapon-aggressive against any competent DM ends up face down in the dirt, just like most bards who try to front line all the time, hence the wall of bards meme. Yes your AC gets higher but as you go up in level enemy attacks scale faster then your AC and HP does and area attacks still get you.
As far as concentration resilient or warcaster is probably still needed at some point.
Bladesingers to me are greatly game dependent. If you use the easy mode of 2 encounter then SR, then you always have everything available. I play in and DM 4-6 encounter as an average between SR, so you need to actually manage resources and play as group; the group needs to rotate who is using their SR recharge abilities this encounter and so on. This has the side benefit of players taking turns who is the "hero" for this encounter.
If you use BB you cant use a bonus action to attack again, you have to use cunning action to disengage. The use of a bonus action to attack again is to get 2 chances to land a sneak attack. You have to decide which one you want to go for.
You don't give up a wizard level by making CHR higher, just your INT score. If you can squeeze in Alert its fine, IMO Alert is more of a luxury for MC build like this as you will only get 4 feats or bumps anyway if going to rogue 3.
I wouldn't prioritize weapon use either. It just seems that's what he wants to do. I wouldn't even play a bladesinger to even use weapons that much unless I was a 5th member of the party, you are far more effective just being a wizard and using your ever expanding, controlling spell list and just enjoying the defensive benefits. Every bladesinger I have seen played weapon-aggressive against any competent DM ends up face down in the dirt, just like most bards who try to front line all the time, hence the wall of bards meme. Yes your AC gets higher but as you go up in level enemy attacks scale faster then your AC and HP does and area attacks still get you.
As far as concentration resilient or warcaster is probably still needed at some point.
Bladesingers to me are greatly game dependent. If you use the easy mode of 2 encounter then SR, then you always have everything available. I play in and DM 4-6 encounter as an average between SR, so you need to actually manage resources and play as group; the group needs to rotate who is using their SR recharge abilities this encounter and so on. This has the side benefit of players taking turns who is the "hero" for this encounter.