D&D 5E Bladesinger with a staff

[ph0rk]

And I would give the staff identical stats to a long sword that is being used with the versatile tag.

Attacking with two hands?

 

[Zsong]

Attacking with two hands?

I so don’t think it would break the game

 

[NotAYakk]

So basically this:

Bladestaff: Martial weapon, sword, 1 handed, 1d8 slashing damage, Versatile (1d10), Weight 3

 

[Ace]

So I’d like to make a staff wielding Bladesinger. However I don’t really want to put points into Strength.

However I did think a level of monk would allow the character to use Dex to hit and damage as a staff is a Monk Weapon.

Alternatively by investing in Wisdom it could be possible to cast Shillelagh and get Wisdom to Attack and Damage.

Add in polearm master to get a free attack when someone enters your space and a very good off hand attack as a bonus.

Id probably use the alternative race from Tasha’s. Our GM is kind and also gives us a bonus feat at level 1.

What are people thoughts? I appreciate that a rapier is just better for less effort but I do like the idea as a staff wielding wizard seems cool.

if you are willing to forgo the highest levels, adding Monk is your best bet.

A build like 10/16/14/14/10/10 could work assuming variant human with using your extra GM house rule feat for toughness would get you where you want to be.

Having an extra +4 to AC, 6 at the end game isn't bad either,

You'll still be multi ability dependent and a bit feat starved but putting you L4 into Dex, L8 into Int, L12 into Con, 16 into INT and 19 into WIS you'd do pretty well.

You really don't need more than one level of Monk though as the flurry of blows is duplicated by polearm master.

 

[NotAYakk]

if you are willing to forgo the highest levels, adding Monk is your best bet.

A build like 10/16/14/14/10/10 could work assuming variant human with using your extra GM house rule feat for toughness would get you where you want to be.

Having an extra +4 to AC, 6 at the end game isn't bad either,

You'll still be multi ability dependent and a bit feat starved but putting you L4 into Dex, L8 into Int, L12 into Con, 16 into INT and 19 into WIS you'd do pretty well.

You really don't need more than one level of Monk though as the flurry of blows is duplicated by polearm master.

PAM duplicates martial arts, which you get at level 1.

Flurry is 2 attacks, not 1.

 

[aco175]

I allow the staff to use finesse with 1d6/1d4 if attacking with both ends (2-weapon fighting). I do not allow the versatile property for the 1d8 if done this way.

 

[ph0rk]

I so don’t think it would break the game

One handed attacks and nothing heavier than light armor are basically the only limitations of bladesong. Might as well let them use a glaive while you are at it.

 

[Weiley31]

I mean, reskinning a Staff is the easiest way to do a Bladestaff. Just change it from bludgeoning to slashing. That or you double bladed scimitar it and make it usable with Revenant Blade.

 

[Ace]

PAM duplicates martial arts, which you get at level 1.

Flurry is 2 attacks, not 1.

Ah OK. Sorry. I've read the rules or did a while back but even pre COVID my group was avoiding D&D so I haven't got as much time in game as I'd like. We also didn't use feats last times I played so there was that too.

I think a Monk 1 Wizard X would work fine though as you pointed out your really don't need PAM unless you just have that opportunity attack.

I was a DM I'd probably allow a one handed blunt finesse weapon like a short staff, fighting stick or cane. Such weapons are quite common IRL and for what D&D calls a finesse weapon, they certainly qualify.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

the people who’ve been in the games I’ve run over the last 20 years (started dming around then after playing for awhile) would disagree. Heavily.

and home brewing everything instead of working within the rules to accomplish what you want is boring.

This kind of gatekeeping is pretty gross and very narrow-minded.