doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
If it costs a Bonus Action, it should do more than duelist.I like the trade off idea. But even with the bonus action, I wouldn't want it to end up being better than duelist
If you're heart set on the bonus action, I think you should shoot for it to be comparable to TWFing, and not go for the AC boost. (Though now I have some new ideas in the ever growing how am I going to fix TWFing at my table thoughts)
i assume you mean use a bonus action for the melee spell attack? That could work.What about: If you have an implement in your off hand, when you use the attack action, you can use an action to make a melee spell attack dealing 1d6 + mod. elemental damage? Spellcasting ability is Intelligence
This is also fun. I think the glowing sword that can be any of several damage types with a +1 damage is the simplest option that works. I’m not 100% on it, but it’s a strong contender.Another idea. It's magic. So insteadInstead of attempting to compete on the raw damage front instead look for useful effects that aren't directly related to damage. If the effect you decide is most thematic isn't strong enough let the style also add a +1 damage bonus.
Magical effects you could potentially produce
-Extra reach
-5ft teleport
-weapon dealing elemental damage (possibly lighting up like a torch)
I think the last might be the most thematic for a fighting style. Essentially gives the fighter a light cantrip and the ability to change elemental damage types as needed. I'd consider added +1 damage as well.
How is my saying, "I agree you need something there, I just think it should be this other broader thing" not engaging with the premise? In fact earlier in this very thread you were more sympathetic to the concept of a cantrip until I said I'd choose one that isn't an attack cantrip and then all of a sudden you were saying how that can't possibly fit your concept.
You seem to have missed the part where you didn’t say that, and instead argued with me about what it was that I was proposing, and implied some level of dishonesty in the process, and the part where I repeated said that adding cantrips wasn’t a great option before responding to you on the subject.
In fact, I was criticizing the idea of adding a cantrip when you called me “combat obsessed” for assuming you were referring to an attack cantrip.
Cantrips don't work with the attack action. Fighting styles don’t interfere with using the attack action, and either benefit from Action Surge and additional Extra Attack attacks, or do something that interacts with a different part of combat, like defense or protecting allies. A cantrip isn’t a fighting style.