Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="st690" data-source="post: 7231520" data-attributes="member: 6806193">Long time lurker, but your character concept is almost identical to the character I’ve been playing for the past 1.5 years (we don’t get together often). Here are some of the decisions I’ve made and reasoning behind them:Currently level 10: Half elf Lore Bard 6, Rogue 1, Knowledge Cleric 1, GOO Warlock 2However, my stats are much, much lower than yours (Str 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 19 (after one ASI))Rest of my party: Battlemaster, Frenzy Barbarian, Assassin Rogue, Abjurer, occasional support from cleric NPCRest of party isn’t that great at knowledge skill checks (and we seemed to be missing a lot of stuff), and not much utility casting/buffing, so I shifted to this character at level 5 (from a monk) to fill that gap. I also wanted to have more out of combat options, which are now available in spades.I started as a Bard.Lvl 5 – Bard 3, Cleric 1, Rogue 1Lvls 6-8 – adding Bard levels to get to 6Levels 9-10 warlock levelsMy Skills/Expertise:Expertise: Arcana, Deception, History, Investigation, Perception, PersuasionProf: Acrobatics, Insight, Intimidation, Performance, Religion, Sleight of hand, Stealth, thieves’ toolsThe warlock addition wasn’t originally in the plan, but I really liked the idea of the at-will illusion invocations. I’ve gone with Mask of Many Faces and Misty Visions so far, with the book of ancient secrets next on the list to add more utility. I know that agonizing blast is optimal, but I never really envisioned being an eldritch blaster. Still, I can already see how powerful EB is even without agonizing blast, finding myself using it more that vicious mockery sometimes.My next few levels will probably be in warlock to get up to 5th level, mainly for the ASI at 4 (which I’m going to take the actor feat to get my CHA to 20 and for impersonation uses), and then 3rd level spell slots at lvl 5.After 5th level warlock, not sure what I’ll do. Maybe go back to Bard to get to 8th for another ASI and higher-level spells. Maybe continue with Warlock. It all depends on how the next few levels go.Other class progressions I’ve been mulling:Going two more levels in rogue to get the mastermind archetype. Normal cunning action is great, but bonus actions to grant advantage to an ally at 30’ would be useful all of the time (especially since we have a rogue to bolster his sneak attack chances) and I don’t have repeatable bonus action options other than bardic inspiration and spiritual weapon. The additional languages and imitation ability would also fit my character concept.Bard Spells:Magical Secrets - I chose:Counterspell – and I use it all the time. Don’t regret it at allSpiritual weapon – it’s consistently mentioned in forums as a great magical secrets pick due to bonus action economy and no concentration. I’ve used it several times and it’s been a bit meh for me. I haven’t rolled very well any time, and damage is nothing to rave about. If I went mastermind rogue and had other consistently available uses for bonus actions, I wouldn’t go with spiritual weapon.Aura of Vitality, even without dipping life cleric, would be worth a look. Revivify would have been a pick if we didn’t have a cleric with us. Fireball is another good option.Cantrips:Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery – so many uses for all, although I haven’t been using mage hand as much as expected. Good for opening doors at a distance with an illusion of someone standing in front of it.1stHealing word – I picked this with a bard known spell slot due to having a low wisdom and so few prepared cleric spells. I think I’ve only used it once or twice, but it’s good to have either way.2ndBlindness/Deafness – non-concentration, upcastable debuff. Unfortunately, most monsters seem to have high CON saves. Still, it’s a nice option against spell casters, as most spells require that you can see the target.Enhance Ability – A recent acquisition. I like the concept and flexibility, but my DM hasn’t put us in many situations where I’m making many CHA skill checks in a small period of time. I’m hoping to get more value out of this eventually.Heat Metal – Very useful as many BBEGs have metal armor, or at least a metal weapon. even if they make their save, the disadvantage on attacks is the main draw.Hold Person – if you have melee party members, this is fantastic. Upcastable makes it even betterInvisibility – Haven’t used it as much as I expected, due to not having many slots and our rogue has had his own methods for casting invisibility. Lots of uses, thoughShatter – my only direct AOE damage spell. I’ve used it a few times (sometimes to great effect), but our DM frequently rules that it makes so much noise and damages so many items in the same room that I’ve been using it less.Suggestion – Versatile and I’ve used it a few times to good effect. Rules are vague and subject to DM interpretation, so your mileage may vary3rdCounterspell – just yes.Hypnotic Pattern – another yes to this one. It’s so powerful due to no recurring saves to end effect. Our frenzy barbarian cannot be charmed, so I can safely cast it on top of him. Awesome spell that my DM now takes into consideration when arranging enemies on the battlefield.Cleric Spells:Cantrips:Guidance – use it all the time. YesMending – I like the concept, but haven’t ended up using it as much as expectedThaumaturgy – helpful with storytelling, intimidation attempts, accompanying illusions, etc1stI get to prepare 3: bless, detect magic (usually cast as ritual, but using a slot if in a rush), sanctuary (plus command and identify through knowledge cleric domain)Warlock Spells:Cantrips:EB, Prestidigitation – similar to thaumaturgy1st level:Disguise self and silent image at will – my warlock levels are relatively new, so still working out best strategies for these.Charm Person – used a few times, but similar to suggestion, seems to be a lot of DM interpretation involvedDissonant Whispers – Yes. Very useful in several situations, esp with several melee party members.Tasha’s Hideous Laughter – A good use of 1st level slots later on as you can take one enemy out of the battle for at least a little bit, while the part focuses on others. I recently added it, and like what I see so far. Concentration isn’t great, but useful if you only have 1st level slots left. I’ve found some sites of lame jokes to use when casting it.What has worked:You’ll always be able to contribute to the party, and generally have several options in any situation. This is great, but the decision make process can take some time. Plan out strategies in advance.Bardic inspiration die are used almost exclusively for cutting words. My DM lets me convert a crit to a non-crit with it, so it’s saved fellow party members many times. Once our party is casting higher level spells, I need to remember that it works on enemies’ counterspell attemptsMy favorite spells:Heat Metal, Hold Person – awesomeness.Hypnotic Pattern – when you read that it can totally change the outcome of a battle, that’s not fluffDissonant Whispers – a solid use of 1st level slotsBless. Of course, I prefer it if the cleric casts this, as I have so much contention for my concentration slot, but bless is always usefulGuidance is useful all the timeWhat hasn’t worked:I’m almost too good at skill checks, outshining most other party members and perhaps stealing a bit of their thunder (Ex. I’m better arcana checks than the wizard). Not sure if it’s really an issue, since it’s kind of my character’s job, but I’m trying to remain cognizant of it. I want to make sure that they're having fun and enjoying their characters as well.Reduced high level spells. It is what it is. I’ve focused on lower level spells that will continue to be useful in multiple situations.Accept that fact that you won’t be doing the killing, but that your value is in helping others to do it.Tips:Find a luckstone/Stone of good luck – it’s absolutely amazing with this build, between normal skill checks, raw ability checks, saving throws, and counterspellsI’d say that if you’re going for a skillmonkey build, focus on knowledge skills (with higher Int over Str). Depending on the relationship with the DM, these skill really help to get more information and advance the plotline. Depending on party composition, doing so may provide more value than being able to grapple.Feats:I agree that you’re in a good position to focus on feats. Recommend getting your CHA to 20, as many of your spells do nothing (or much less) if the target savesI’m never in the middle of combat, so resilient CON hasn’t been considered. If you’re going to be grappling, maybe so.Check out inspiring leader. I’d take it if I had room. The temp HP will help the entire party, and will always be useful throughout your character’s career.Actor is an option depending on how you want leverage your social skills.If unearthed arcana content is an option:Check out “Feats for Races” for the Everybody’s friend feat, and “Feats for Skills” for the Silver-Tongued and Diplomat featsThese can help if your CHA is every odd, and will effectively give you expertise in one or more CHA skills, freeing up expertise slots for your Bard and Rogue classes.Hope that helps. Have fun!</blockquote>

Verification