The Gishiest Gish

[Yunru]

Want a character that can cast and attack in the same turn? One that gets three weapon attacks quicker than the Fighter? Look no further! There's also a third variant that trades defence for utility, but oh my, what utility it is!

How they work: Haste
Haste is the lynchpin tying this build together, but we're not going to get it before level 10 at earliest. Fear not though, the build is still solid before that. Haste allows use to Cast a Spell and take the Attack action in the same turn. It also has a huge defensive and mobility boost.

Option 1: Hexblade 5/Sorcerer 5
The original build, inspired from work I did on the Favoured Soul that got Extra Attack. We start as a Sorcerer for Constitution saving throw proficiency, then go Hexblade for 5 levels, taking Pact of the Blade. This gets us our second attack at level 6. We switch back to Sorcerer after to pick up Haste. Side benefits include Metamagic, and possible access to Cleric spells.

Option 2: Hexblade 5/Wizard 5
A variation on the above, we trade Constitution saving throw proficiency for subclass features (Bladesinger is very nice), and Metamagic for Rituals and a better spell list. Unlike before, in this build we go straight Warlock, then straight Wizard.

Option 3: Hexblade 5/Lore Bard 6
The main pull here is Magical Secrets, allowing some unique combinations with Pact Magic. Downside is, it offers us no defensive benefits.

 

[Gavin O.]

You could also go Paladin with the Oath of Vengeance, since they get Haste as an oath spell at level 9, as well as Extra Attack.

However, I don't really see the benefit of getting Extra Attack on a build that plans to use haste to attack + spell, since the action that haste gives you cant be used to cast a spell or to make more than one weapon attack.

 

[Yunru]

For when can't, or don't want to, cast spells. But a key point is these have enough spell slots to Haste every combat, unlike Paladins.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I like the Beefy gish builds, but the mobile skirmished gish builds are my favorite.

For that, I would pick the Hex/Wiz, and I also actually wonder about Hexblade/Swashbuckler (GFB+SA+HexCurse+Hex, and CHA to Atk, Dmg,Initiative), and Swashbuckler/Bladesinger (SA+GRB, Bladesong, bonus speed, cunning action, and eventual haste means extreme mobility, and creatures you hit can’t opportunity attack you, just for a start.)

 

[Blue]

Option 2: Hexblade 5/Wizard 5
A variation on the above, we trade Constitution saving throw proficiency for subclass features (Bladesinger is very nice), and Metamagic for Rituals and a better spell list. Unlike before, in this build we go straight Warlock, then straight Wizard.

If going Wizard (Bladesinger), level 6 will get an extra attack, which can save you from needing to take Pact of the Blade and spend an Invocation. Plus this way it's with any attack, not just your pact weapon. I'm still on board with Warlock to get the short rest slots for Haste, this just frees up your Pact. If you go Pact of the Chain and spend that invocation slot on Gifts of the Ever-Living (or whatever it's called form XGtE) you can have a familiar for advantage in combat and maximize all healing on you.

 

[FrogReaver]

i like fighter / sorcerer for a Gish.

Quicken spell allows for casting and attacking. Action surge allows for some fantastic combinations. Sorcerers can trade lower level slots for higher level ones, letting you cast more big spells in a day etc.

 

[Yunru]

i like fighter / sorcerer for a Gish.

Quicken spell allows for casting and attacking. Action surge allows for some fantastic combinations. Sorcerers can trade lower level slots for higher level ones, letting you cast more big spells in a day etc.

You need to have a Spellcaster level of 6 for Haste each combat

 

[FrogReaver]

You need to have a Spellcaster level of 6 for Haste each combat

I prefer Fighter 2 Sorcerer X as my basic gish.

 

[Yunru]

I prefer Fighter 2 Sorcerer X as my basic gish.

So you could do it by level 8, but it costs all your metamagic and spell slots for that level.

 

[FrogReaver]

So you could do it by level 8, but it costs all your metamagic and spell slots for that level.

Sure but I wouldn't want to with that build. I like that build because it can do good melee damage when desired but can also throw 2 fireballs out at the start of the fight while can down right end many encounters instantly. Booming Blade + Quicken Booming Blade is a solid combo.

That said a hexblade sorcerer is downright scary as well. Haste + Quicken Booming blade can give 4 greatsword attacks and you can start doing that at level 10.