ScorchMcGnarly
Villager
Sorry this is long. Been building a character for a 5-20 campaign and needed advice.
Current:
Autumn Eladrin Elf.
3 Lore Bard/1 Hexblade Warlock
10 Str, 14 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 10 Wis, 17 Cha
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Mage Hand, Mind Sliver, Minor Illusion
Spells: Comprehend Language, Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire, Shield, Sleep, Hideous Laughter, Invisibility, Lesser Restoration.
Party comp: Alchemist Artificer, Eldritch Knight Fighter, Oath Breaker Paladin, Spores Druid, Life Cleric, Fiend Warlock, HexLoreBard (me)
Started this character with the intent of playing a really utility focused Bard, while taking a dip of Hexblade for the Medium Armor and the ability to not completely suck at melee if enemies get up close. Been using eldritch blast from afar unless we are fighting undead, in which case I’ve been using mind sliver for creatures with super low intelligence like undead and beasts for an almost guaranteed hit. It’s been working well combined with my party member’s saving throw style spells (spores druid spore damage saves, web, entangle, catapult, etc).
However I have recently decided I want to be a gish. Our party is about to finish Lost Mines and we are going to move into Dungeon of the Mad Mage, which is a 5-20 campaign. Knowing I could be playing the same character for a year or two, I wanted something I thought would be super fun. Hence, I want to build a Greatsword wielding HexBard that can cast spells but also deal damage up close. I don’t really care too much about not receiving 9th level spells. Below is what I have planned. It seems really unconventional, but after looking at all of the options I would be losing when not playing a full bard, I just couldn’t pass up being able to take the extra levels in Hexblade. Only flaw I can see is I am pushing Magical Secrets and my higher level spell slots to way later levels, but I figured with such a diverse and large party, I may be ok. Pushing 4th level spells all the way to level 12th seems kinda bad, but idk.
I have never played above 5th level so I do not know what to expect at each level. I want so badly to make this work because the idea of casting something like Shadow of Moil or Darkness or something and fey stepping around the battlefield, playing guitar and busting heads with a greatsword sounds amazingly fun. I just don’t know if I’m planning ahead well in order of what I need to to make an effective character. Pretty stuck on 5 levels of Hexblade and 15 Lore.
Level Planning
5th level:
Bard Level 4 Feat choice – Elvish Accuracy (gives a +1 to Charisma to take me to 18)
6th level:
Bard level 5 Font of inspiration - +3 proficiency bonus – 3rd level spells (Hypnotic Pattern, Tiny Hut)
7th level:
Warlock level 2 – Agonizing Blast and Eldritch Mind or Devils Sight and Eldritch Mind (swap comprehend language for Hex or something)
8th level:
Warlock level 3 – Pact of the Blade - +1 to a weapon attack, can use GreatSword, +4 Proficiency Bonus Warlock level 2 spells… Darkness)
9th level:
Warlock level 4 – ASI Charisma to 20
10th level:
Warlock level 5 – Warlock 3rd level spells (Counterspell and Spirit Shroud), Thirsting Blade invocation for Extra Attack
11th level:
Bard level 6 – Magical Secrets Fireball and Spirit Guardians
12th level:
Bard level 7 – 4th level spells
13th level:
Bard level 8 – ASI Great Weapon Master +5 Proficiency Bonus
14th level:
Bard level 9 – 5th level spells
15th level:
Bard level 10 – Magical Secrets Wall of Force and Shadow of Moil– Expertise Slight of Hand and Deception
16th level:
Bard level 11 – 6th level spells
17th level:
Bard level 12 – Feat Lucky +6 Proficiency bonus
18th level:
Bard level 13 – 7th level spells
19th level:
Bard level 14 Magical Secrets – Simulacrum and Tenser’s Transformation
20th level
Bard level 15 – 8th level spells
Current:
Autumn Eladrin Elf.
3 Lore Bard/1 Hexblade Warlock
10 Str, 14 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 10 Wis, 17 Cha
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Mage Hand, Mind Sliver, Minor Illusion
Spells: Comprehend Language, Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire, Shield, Sleep, Hideous Laughter, Invisibility, Lesser Restoration.
Party comp: Alchemist Artificer, Eldritch Knight Fighter, Oath Breaker Paladin, Spores Druid, Life Cleric, Fiend Warlock, HexLoreBard (me)
Started this character with the intent of playing a really utility focused Bard, while taking a dip of Hexblade for the Medium Armor and the ability to not completely suck at melee if enemies get up close. Been using eldritch blast from afar unless we are fighting undead, in which case I’ve been using mind sliver for creatures with super low intelligence like undead and beasts for an almost guaranteed hit. It’s been working well combined with my party member’s saving throw style spells (spores druid spore damage saves, web, entangle, catapult, etc).
However I have recently decided I want to be a gish. Our party is about to finish Lost Mines and we are going to move into Dungeon of the Mad Mage, which is a 5-20 campaign. Knowing I could be playing the same character for a year or two, I wanted something I thought would be super fun. Hence, I want to build a Greatsword wielding HexBard that can cast spells but also deal damage up close. I don’t really care too much about not receiving 9th level spells. Below is what I have planned. It seems really unconventional, but after looking at all of the options I would be losing when not playing a full bard, I just couldn’t pass up being able to take the extra levels in Hexblade. Only flaw I can see is I am pushing Magical Secrets and my higher level spell slots to way later levels, but I figured with such a diverse and large party, I may be ok. Pushing 4th level spells all the way to level 12th seems kinda bad, but idk.
I have never played above 5th level so I do not know what to expect at each level. I want so badly to make this work because the idea of casting something like Shadow of Moil or Darkness or something and fey stepping around the battlefield, playing guitar and busting heads with a greatsword sounds amazingly fun. I just don’t know if I’m planning ahead well in order of what I need to to make an effective character. Pretty stuck on 5 levels of Hexblade and 15 Lore.
Level Planning
5th level:
Bard Level 4 Feat choice – Elvish Accuracy (gives a +1 to Charisma to take me to 18)
6th level:
Bard level 5 Font of inspiration - +3 proficiency bonus – 3rd level spells (Hypnotic Pattern, Tiny Hut)
7th level:
Warlock level 2 – Agonizing Blast and Eldritch Mind or Devils Sight and Eldritch Mind (swap comprehend language for Hex or something)
8th level:
Warlock level 3 – Pact of the Blade - +1 to a weapon attack, can use GreatSword, +4 Proficiency Bonus Warlock level 2 spells… Darkness)
9th level:
Warlock level 4 – ASI Charisma to 20
10th level:
Warlock level 5 – Warlock 3rd level spells (Counterspell and Spirit Shroud), Thirsting Blade invocation for Extra Attack
11th level:
Bard level 6 – Magical Secrets Fireball and Spirit Guardians
12th level:
Bard level 7 – 4th level spells
13th level:
Bard level 8 – ASI Great Weapon Master +5 Proficiency Bonus
14th level:
Bard level 9 – 5th level spells
15th level:
Bard level 10 – Magical Secrets Wall of Force and Shadow of Moil– Expertise Slight of Hand and Deception
16th level:
Bard level 11 – 6th level spells
17th level:
Bard level 12 – Feat Lucky +6 Proficiency bonus
18th level:
Bard level 13 – 7th level spells
19th level:
Bard level 14 Magical Secrets – Simulacrum and Tenser’s Transformation
20th level
Bard level 15 – 8th level spells