D&D General Best AC Formula for a Bladesinger?

[Silam]

The 5e Bladesinger is unique in that it’s the only class that grants a stat mod (Int) to AC without modifying the AC formula. It does stipulate that it’s incompatible with donning armor or wielding a shield, but it can stack with other AC formulas as long as no armor is involved. So this got me thinking: what is the best base AC formula for a BS?

I think that in the vast majority of cases, the easiest and most effective strategy is to burn a slot on Mage Armor (13 + Dex). Late game, the Mage Armor could be replaced by a Robe of the Archmagi (15 + Dex, and no burned spell slot, but it does cost an attunement slot).

While the above is a good default strategy, it is nonetheless interesting to think about alternatives. The issue with all of them is MADness, as they will all require 13 or possibly more in a stat you may not care to bump this high. But in certain games with unusully high stats (e.g., those with generous stat rolling methods, or epic games with access to either lots of tomes or lots of boons), a different choice might be ideal.

Or maybe it’s not ideal optimization-wise, but it’s cool for character concept.

So basically, the options are:

1. 10 + Wis + Dex: via Monk, requires Wis 13, but realistically you should aim for Wis 16 to match Mage Armor, and ideally Wis 20 to match the RotAM. If somehow you get to 22+, then this build outperforms those standard options.
2. 10 + Con + Dex: via Barb, requires 13 Str, and Con 16-20. N.B.: There is also a printing of FRHoF which makes the Paladin subclass also grant Con-based AC, though apparently the designers intended it to be Cha (and other prints + online resources state Cha). But hey, RAW is RAW, so if you got that print and it suits you, go nuts.
3. 10 + Cha + Dex: via Draco Sorc and some Paladin subclasses. Cha 13 required, though you would ideally want 16-20. And Str 13 too if going the Paladin route.

Out of the above three paths, Cha seems the least interesting since it’s generally a dump stat, unless you really go out of your way to build on it (e.g., also get Pact of the Blade, a Paladin’s aura, etc).

Wis and Con are interesting though, since they’re tied to important saves. Con in particular is very appealing since it also grants HPs and boosts concentration, though that 13 Str req is certainly a bummer.

If we consider that a Bladesinger wants as much as possible in Dex, Con and Int, then adding either Cha or Wis to this already lenghty list takes us to 4 important stats, which is a lot. But giving one more purpose to Con which we already care about is nice. The question is: can you stomach allocating 5 of your point buy budget to get a 13 Str, and would you take the Barb level even though the rest of the class features have very poor synergy?

The Wisdom/Monk route, on the other hand, is interesting in the sense that the Monk class features synergize very well with the BS, and if we get the WotMA subclass in Arcana Unleashed (as expected) it might end up being a match made in heaven. But going from 3 to 4 important stats is really rough. You basically have to dump Con and be very squishy. And you probably need to prioritize Dex since the Bladesong’s ability to use Int for att/dmg bonuses applies only to weapons, not to Flurry of Blows. This in turn means you’re going all in on melee and self-buffing while avoiding Save and attack roll spells, since your Int may not be your highest stat. Overall, it’s a tough balancing act.

In a sense, 13 Str + highest possible Dex/Con/Int is less costly than highest possible Dex/Con/Int/Wis!

Thoughts on any of the above?

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Other options include species like Lizardfolk, Thri-Kreen, or Autognomes with natural armour that will not require Mage Armour spell slots to have a base of 13 + Dex modifier.

Realistically, this is about as good as you can get without having to compromise elsewhere. Investing in 16+ in three different ability scores is probably not an ideal course given how much Dex gives you, and you will want a good Int as a Bladesinger.

The practical best is probably Warforged Bladesinger using Mage Armour, or a Tortle.

Robes of the Archmagi may not be realistic, but Bracers of Defence, Luckstones, and items of Protection would help.
. . . and then you have the never-to-be-sufficiently-cursed Shield spell.

 

[Charlaquin]

Tortle seems really strong. Hard to top 17 base AC with no required ability score investment. Gets you to 22 AC very easily, just by bumping your Int, which you would want to do anyway.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Tortle seems really strong. Hard to top 17 base AC with no required ability score investment. Gets you to 22 AC very easily, just by bumping your Int, which you would want to do anyway.

So it probably doesn't even need Shield!

There isn't a 5.5e version though, so some DMs might be inclined to put the kybosh on it!

 

[Zardnaar]

16 dex , 17 int.. take half feat at 4.

Magic items usually suspects. Bracers of Defense, ring or protection etc.

Becomes bit pointless after a while. DM won't attack you and your damage generally sucks until CME.

Good controller until then though.

 

[Corinnguard]

The 5e Bladesinger is unique in that it’s the only class that grants a stat mod (Int) to AC without modifying the AC formula.

This stat boost to AC only works when the Bladesinger is using their Bladesong ability and only for a limited number of uses equal to your PB. Thus, you would need something to boost your AC whenever your character isn't using this particular subclass feature. Spells like Mage Armor, Magic items like Ring of Protection, or being a member of a particular species like the Tortle, as mentioned above are a few of the ways to make up for Bladesong.

I kind of wish this subclass had a feature where your AC equaled 10 + DEX Modifier + INT Modifier when you weren't wearing any kind of armor. Perhaps you can swap out the proficiency in Light Armor for this AC equation? And then pick up magic items that can boost DEX and/or INT. The latter with a Headband of Intellect?

I am about one level away from picking up a homebrewed subclass that is similar to the Bladesinger. Hence my curiosity.

 

[Charlaquin]

So it probably doesn't even need Shield!

There isn't a 5.5e version though, so some DMs might be inclined to put the kybosh on it!

I consider Mordenkainen’s Monsters of the Multiverse 5.5

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I consider Mordenkainen’s Monsters of the Multiverse 5.5

To be fair, everything that hasnt been replaced is part of the current rules, and thus "5.5". In recent interviews the designers still just say 5e from what i have seen. Definitely in the Todd Kenreck interview about Ravenloft. Point of which is to further back up the fact that all 5e material that hasnt been replaced or explicitly made "legacy" is part of the current rules.

 

[ECMO3]

The 5e Bladesinger is unique in that it’s the only class that grants a stat mod (Int) to AC without modifying the AC formula. It does stipulate that it’s incompatible with donning armor or wielding a shield, but it can stack with other AC formulas as long as no armor is involved. So this got me thinking: what is the best base AC formula for a BS?

I think that in the vast majority of cases, the easiest and most effective strategy is to burn a slot on Mage Armor (13 + Dex). Late game, the Mage Armor could be replaced by a Robe of the Archmagi (15 + Dex, and no burned spell slot, but it does cost an attunement slot).

While the above is a good default strategy, it is nonetheless interesting to think about alternatives. The issue with all of them is MADness, as they will all require 13 or possibly more in a stat you may not care to bump this high. But in certain games with unusully high stats (e.g., those with generous stat rolling methods, or epic games with access to either lots of tomes or lots of boons), a different choice might be ideal.

Or maybe it’s not ideal optimization-wise, but it’s cool for character concept.

So basically, the options are:

1. 10 + Wis + Dex: via Monk, requires Wis 13, but realistically you should aim for Wis 16 to match Mage Armor, and ideally Wis 20 to match the RotAM. If somehow you get to 22+, then this build outperforms those standard options.
2. 10 + Con + Dex: via Barb, requires 13 Str, and Con 16-20. N.B.: There is also a printing of FRHoF which makes the Paladin subclass also grant Con-based AC, though apparently the designers intended it to be Cha (and other prints + online resources state Cha). But hey, RAW is RAW, so if you got that print and it suits you, go nuts.
3. 10 + Cha + Dex: via Draco Sorc and some Paladin subclasses. Cha 13 required, though you would ideally want 16-20. And Str 13 too if going the Paladin route.

Out of the above three paths, Cha seems the least interesting since it’s generally a dump stat, unless you really go out of your way to build on it (e.g., also get Pact of the Blade, a Paladin’s aura, etc).

Wis and Con are interesting though, since they’re tied to important saves. Con in particular is very appealing since it also grants HPs and boosts concentration, though that 13 Str req is certainly a bummer.

If we consider that a Bladesinger wants as much as possible in Dex, Con and Int, then adding either Cha or Wis to this already lenghty list takes us to 4 important stats, which is a lot. But giving one more purpose to Con which we already care about is nice. The question is: can you stomach allocating 5 of your point buy budget to get a 13 Str, and would you take the Barb level even though the rest of the class features have very poor synergy?

The Wisdom/Monk route, on the other hand, is interesting in the sense that the Monk class features synergize very well with the BS, and if we get the WotMA subclass in Arcana Unleashed (as expected) it might end up being a match made in heaven. But going from 3 to 4 important stats is really rough. You basically have to dump Con and be very squishy. And you probably need to prioritize Dex since the Bladesong’s ability to use Int for att/dmg bonuses applies only to weapons, not to Flurry of Blows. This in turn means you’re going all in on melee and self-buffing while avoiding Save and attack roll spells, since your Int may not be your highest stat. Overall, it’s a tough balancing act.

In a sense, 13 Str + highest possible Dex/Con/Int is less costly than highest possible Dex/Con/Int/Wis!

Thoughts on any of the above?

This is highly dependant on your ability score rolls. With low ability scores this is not going to work at all. If you manage to roll an 18 a 16 and a 15 at 1st level before bonuses then there are a lot of options.

First with great rolls (1 natural 15, 1 natural 16 and 1 natural 18)

I think the easiest and most straight forward is Monk, if you can start 1st level with a Dex 20, Wisdom 16 and Intelligence 16. When bladesong comes online at level 4 you would have 18 all the time, 21 in bladesong plus a 5 point boost for the shield spell.

If you have at least a 13 Strength as well Barbarian can get you a similar number with Constitution instead of Wisdom, but you are giving up a lot for this, lose a spell level and spells can't be cast while Raging so you are really doing this just for the AC. I think Monk is a better option.

Those are the only two I know of on a 1-level dip. If dipping 3 levels Dance Bard and Draconic Sorcerer are options. I would not entertain Paladin, you are losing too many spell levels and you need a 13 strength. Putting 3 levels into another class really delays your feat though, so it delays the 1 AC boost you would get from it too.

Point Buy Options

This is not going to be a good idea on point buy. I did play a Monk/Bladesinger with average rolls in 5E, so it was close to point buy. She died at level 4.

1. one-level Monk dip: I think to do this effectively you would need to dump Strength, Constitution and Charisma all the way to 8 and shore up hps by playing an Orc or Dwarf and getting the Tough feat. If you did that you could get three 16s to start in Wisdom, Dexterity and Intelligence at start. Grab False Life and use your highest level slot on that when you wake up and you would be pretty capable. The "False Life tax" here though is higher than the "Mage Armor tax" you would pay with a straight Bladesinger and your AC is the same, not better until level 13+.

2: three-level Bard dip: Same as above but Charisma instead of Wisdom. This is going to be hard to play before you are fully into both classes

3. Tortle: This works right out of the box. This is an interesting build because you don't need any other class and could even go with a Strength-based Bladesinger.

4. 13 Intelligence and Headband of Intellect: You could do this with any other class as your "main class" pick up Wizard 3 (or 4) for the extra 4 points of AC in Bladeong. IT is a costly attunement though.

Anything else you do that I can think of is going to result in only a +1 or +2 on your Bladesong and weak DC and spell attacks, or alternatively an AC that is substantially lower than Mage Armor would be. In most of these cases you are better focusing on Bladesinger I think.

 

[Not a Decepticon]

Starting stats STR 8 DEX 16 CON 16 INT 16 WIS 8 CHA 8

Infernal Pact Feat at level 1 then Infernal Bulwark at level 4, increase Constitution.

Your AC when Bladesinging with no armor is now 10+DEX+CON+INT, 3 stats Bladesinger wants high. At level 4 you get AC of 19 AND you get resistance to two common damage types and Armor of Aghatys. Get a feat that lets you boost CON (Durable or Warcaster maybe?) at level 8 and you get 20 AC, 22 with Haste, 27 whenever you cast Shield.