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Bladesinger - a criticism of its design
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<blockquote data-quote="Shayuri" data-source="post: 7254476" data-attributes="member: 4936"><p>Just to weigh in.</p><p></p><p>I've played a bladesinger from 1st level to what will soon be level 17; possibly as far as 18 before the end.</p><p></p><p>Bladesingers are strong. At low levels, I pretty much fought hand to hand in the front line with the warriors. My defense was higher, my damage output generally lower, but roughly on par. I threw the occasional spell, but didn't rely on them much.</p><p></p><p>Around level 5 or 6, the balance shifted. Even with Extra Attack, I more often found casting a spell was a better use of my action than attacking. I could still mix it up in the front lines, but often spent a round or two lobbing spells in before closing in.</p><p></p><p>By level 12, my melee attack ability is more or less an afterthought. I go toe to toe when an encounter isn't worth spending a precious spell slot on. I do not -fear- getting caught in melee like most mages, but I am generally a spellcaster first, a melee warrior second.</p><p></p><p>Now I'm level 16, and this trend is reinforced. I generally try not to spend more than two or three spells per fight, and bladesinging means I can still contribute materially when I reach that threshold. Exceptionally challenging encounters may force me to uncork a coveted level 6 or 7 spell, but I try to keep my 'casual' encounter spellcasting to levels 5 or less. Bladesinging makes this approach more workable.</p><p></p><p>I would say that, on the whole, a bladesinger is more 'powerful' than a wizard of another path. They don't have the magical advantages that specialty paths offer, but they have a very flexible and versatile role that makes them less reliant on spell slots to get through 'trash' battles. This means I have more spells available more often for the harder fights. A net advantage.</p><p></p><p>I would not say that I threaten the role dominance of other warriors in the party. To be fair, we don't have a raw fighter. We have a paladin, ranger and rogue. They outdamage me in melee routinely. The paladin's AC rivals my own most of the time, though I can spike mine higher than his. The advantage I present to the group is a wizard who offers wizardly firepower and utility, but is far less vulnerable; they do not spend their time trying to keep me out of trouble. However, most of my weight is pulled not by swordfighting, but by spellcasting...hence the overall party balance is maintained.</p><p></p><p>This is not to say there's no issues with bladesingers from a design perspective. Further, my character build is not remotely 'optimized.' By level 16 I have Dex 20 and Int 18, and don't use melee cantrips much though I do have Booming Blade. In hindsight I can see how I could build a more 'effective' character with the Bladesinger path...but I am happy with my character as she is. It's a good fit for the group. </p><p></p><p>Bladesingers are strong, and I can understand complaints that they're unbalanced. However, my experience of them is that they don't make the game less fun. Or at least that they don't necessarily. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shayuri, post: 7254476, member: 4936"] Just to weigh in. I've played a bladesinger from 1st level to what will soon be level 17; possibly as far as 18 before the end. Bladesingers are strong. At low levels, I pretty much fought hand to hand in the front line with the warriors. My defense was higher, my damage output generally lower, but roughly on par. I threw the occasional spell, but didn't rely on them much. Around level 5 or 6, the balance shifted. Even with Extra Attack, I more often found casting a spell was a better use of my action than attacking. I could still mix it up in the front lines, but often spent a round or two lobbing spells in before closing in. By level 12, my melee attack ability is more or less an afterthought. I go toe to toe when an encounter isn't worth spending a precious spell slot on. I do not -fear- getting caught in melee like most mages, but I am generally a spellcaster first, a melee warrior second. Now I'm level 16, and this trend is reinforced. I generally try not to spend more than two or three spells per fight, and bladesinging means I can still contribute materially when I reach that threshold. Exceptionally challenging encounters may force me to uncork a coveted level 6 or 7 spell, but I try to keep my 'casual' encounter spellcasting to levels 5 or less. Bladesinging makes this approach more workable. I would say that, on the whole, a bladesinger is more 'powerful' than a wizard of another path. They don't have the magical advantages that specialty paths offer, but they have a very flexible and versatile role that makes them less reliant on spell slots to get through 'trash' battles. This means I have more spells available more often for the harder fights. A net advantage. I would not say that I threaten the role dominance of other warriors in the party. To be fair, we don't have a raw fighter. We have a paladin, ranger and rogue. They outdamage me in melee routinely. The paladin's AC rivals my own most of the time, though I can spike mine higher than his. The advantage I present to the group is a wizard who offers wizardly firepower and utility, but is far less vulnerable; they do not spend their time trying to keep me out of trouble. However, most of my weight is pulled not by swordfighting, but by spellcasting...hence the overall party balance is maintained. This is not to say there's no issues with bladesingers from a design perspective. Further, my character build is not remotely 'optimized.' By level 16 I have Dex 20 and Int 18, and don't use melee cantrips much though I do have Booming Blade. In hindsight I can see how I could build a more 'effective' character with the Bladesinger path...but I am happy with my character as she is. It's a good fit for the group. Bladesingers are strong, and I can understand complaints that they're unbalanced. However, my experience of them is that they don't make the game less fun. Or at least that they don't necessarily. :) [/QUOTE]
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