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<blockquote data-quote="Blue" data-source="post: 7554170" data-attributes="member: 20564">I really like your base concept, so I was trying to fiddle around to get it to come online earlier.&nbsp; I succeeded, but at heavy cost of not going sorcerer so missing out on twinning the cantrips.&nbsp; I was able to work in Extra attack so we can hit more often, but I can't say it's better.&nbsp; It starts earlier but lacks the excellent nova capacity you have.&nbsp; Even Action Surge is gained at a later level.One advantage is that using warlock is that Shadow Blade does get upcast consistently at higher levels because the warlock slots are the highest.The Shadow Blade spell can't every qualify for the Hexblade CHR as attack, which would have made that easier.Racially I'm thinking halfling (stout) for lucky or drow for elven accuracy and darkness if wanting to go the devil's sight route, but I've often considered that better in a white room then with an actual party you might be impacting.&nbsp; Both are +2 DEX, stout has +1 CON vs the drow's +1 CHR.The build below using Halfling Stout for the starting ability scores of S 8, D 16, C 14, I 12, W 12, Chr 14.[1] Fighter 1:&nbsp; Weapon/Armor prof, STR&amp;CON saves, Fighting Style: Duelist, Second Wind&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 12&nbsp; &nbsp; AC 18 (Scale+Dex+Shield)&nbsp; &nbsp; Rapier [d8+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+3][2] Fgt 1 / Warlock 1: 1 x 1st slot, Celestial.&nbsp; Healing Light – Pool: 1+warlock lvl d6s.&nbsp; Bonus Action to spend up to CHR and heal anyone within 60’.&nbsp; Hex since we don’t have Shadow Blade&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 18&nbsp; &nbsp; Hex: Rapier [d8+d6+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+d6+3][3] Fgt 1 / Warlock 2: 2 x 1st slot.&nbsp; Beguiling Influence, Devil’s Sight&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 24&nbsp; &nbsp; AC 19 (Half Plate+Dex+Shield) [gold for armor upgrade][4] Fgt 1 / Warlock 3: 2 x 2nd slot.&nbsp; Pact of the chain.&nbsp; Familiar to turn invisible and use help action.&nbsp; Replace Beguiling Influence with Gift of the Ever-Living Ones to maximize healing.&nbsp; (From Healing Light &amp; others).&nbsp; 2nd level slots so Shadow Blade comes online.&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 30&nbsp; &nbsp; Shadow Blade [2d8+5 psychic]+BB[d8 move], Rapier [d8+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+3][5] Fgt 1 / Warlock 4:&nbsp; +2 Dex [18], Booming Blade damage increases&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 36&nbsp; &nbsp; Shadow Blade [2d8+6 psychic +d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move], Rapier [d8+6 + d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+4][6] Fgt 1 / Warlock 5: 2 x 3rd level slot.&nbsp; Revivify from Celestial spell list?&nbsp; +1 Invocation&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 42&nbsp; &nbsp; Shadow Blade [3d8+6 psychic +d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move][7] Fighter 2 / Wrlk 5: Action Surge&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 49[8] Fighter 3 / Wrlk 5:&nbsp; Eldritch Knight.&nbsp; 2 x 1st level slots.&nbsp; Shield&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 56[9] Fighter 4 / Wrlk 5:&nbsp; 3 x 1st slots.&nbsp; Feat: Warcaster [can cast Shield, plus advantage Concentration]&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 63[10] Fighter 5 / Wrlk 5:&nbsp; Extra Attack&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 70&nbsp; &nbsp; 2x Shadow Blade [3d8+6 psychic], Rapier [d8+6], Long Bow [d8+4][11] Fighter 6 / Wrlk 5: +2 Dex [20], Cantrips inprove&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 77&nbsp; &nbsp; 2x Shadow Blade [3d8+7 psychic], Rapier [d8+7], Long Bow [d8+5][12] Fighter 7 / Wrlk 5: 4 x 1st + 2 x 2nd slots; War magic – cantrip and 1 attack&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 84&nbsp; &nbsp; Shadow Blade [3d8+7 Psychic + 2d8 thunder]+BB[3d8 move] + Shadow Blade [no BB](DPR, no move:&nbsp; 8d8+14 = 50 avg hit * .65 hit = 32.5 expected DPR.&nbsp; More with advantage (dim or familiar.&nbsp; Also ignores crits and avoiding 1s from halfling lucky)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Melee with Hex and BB:&nbsp; Rapier [d8+d6+7 + 2d8 thunder]+BB[3d8 move] + Rapier [d8+d6+7]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ranged with hex:&nbsp; 2x +5 attack, Longbow d8+d6+5 damage, OR 3x +2 attack EB d10+d6 plus +5 attack Hvy Crossbow d10+d8+5?[13] Fighter 8 / Wrlk 5 - for an ASI/feat.&nbsp; Which depends on how to go from here.From here a bunch of ways to go.+4W&nbsp; &nbsp; Warlock 9 - 5th level spells for better Shadow Blade, ASI (@ 8th), increases healing pool+5W&nbsp; &nbsp; Warlock 10 – Celestial Radiance = 12 tHP to party every short rest.+6W&nbsp; &nbsp; Warlock 11 – 3 x 5th level slots, +a daily 6th level slot.+1F&nbsp; &nbsp; Fighter 9 – Indomitable+3F&nbsp; &nbsp; Fighter 11 – Extra Attack [2], but this stops cantrip+1attack so lose BB damage.&nbsp; +1 2nd level slot @ 10th+1S&nbsp; &nbsp; Sorc (Divine Soul) 1 – Favored by the gods (+2d4 to attack/dave 1/rest) and slots+2S&nbsp; &nbsp; Sorc (any) Metamagic and higher level slots+3S&nbsp; &nbsp; Sorc (Shadow) 3 – Darkness/Devil’s sight w/o needing Devil’s sight.&nbsp; Can swap out.&nbsp; 1/day make CHR save to stay at 1 HP instead of going to 0.&nbsp; Not we are not proficient in CHR saves.One possible way:&nbsp; More warlock focused.[13] Fighter 8 / Wrlk 5:&nbsp; +2 CHR [16] – can spend 3 dice of healing pool&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 91[14] Fgt 8 / Warlock 6: Radiant soul&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 97[15] Fgt 8 / Warlock 7: 2 x 4th slots, +1 Invocation&nbsp; &nbsp; HP 103[16] Fgt 8 / Warlock 8: +2 CHR or +2 CON[17] Fgt 8 / Warlock 9: 2 x 5th slots.&nbsp; +1 Invocation.&nbsp; Cantrips improve.&nbsp; Extra cantrip&nbsp; &nbsp; Shadow Blade [4d8+7 Psychic + 3d8 thunder]+BB[4d8 move] + Shadow Blade [no BB][18] Fgt 8 / Warlock 10: Celestial Radiance[19] Fgt 8 / Warlock 11: 3 x 5th slots.&nbsp; Mystic Arcanum (6th level spell)[20] Warlock 12 for ASI + Invocation, or Fighter 9 for Indomitable.&nbsp; Play it by ear based on how the campaign went.Bonus action economy is a little busy - spending healing from the warlock pool, casting or moving hex for when not using shadow blade, EK's War Magic if using a cantrip.Can self heal and all healing on the character is maximized, but doesn't have the slots for Blur or other hit-prevention spells except Shield to keep up concentration like your build.Can get advantage on a single attack per round from familiar, who is sitting duck for AoE but thanks to warlock improved familiars will be invisible so harder for non-area attacks to take out.Also sets up for devil's sight + darkness if you have a party composition that will allow that to work without hamstringing your party.&nbsp; I didn't consider it in the above.Like I said, not saying this one is better, it definitely can't nova as well.&nbsp; But if the DM is giving the ~2 short rests a day that the DMG recommends, it should have shadow blade most combats starting at 4th level, and can deal with when it doesn't.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Blue, post: 7554170, member: 20564"] I really like your base concept, so I was trying to fiddle around to get it to come online earlier. I succeeded, but at heavy cost of not going sorcerer so missing out on twinning the cantrips. I was able to work in Extra attack so we can hit more often, but I can't say it's better. It starts earlier but lacks the excellent nova capacity you have. Even Action Surge is gained at a later level. One advantage is that using warlock is that Shadow Blade does get upcast consistently at higher levels because the warlock slots are the highest. The Shadow Blade spell can't every qualify for the Hexblade CHR as attack, which would have made that easier. Racially I'm thinking halfling (stout) for lucky or drow for elven accuracy and darkness if wanting to go the devil's sight route, but I've often considered that better in a white room then with an actual party you might be impacting. Both are +2 DEX, stout has +1 CON vs the drow's +1 CHR. The build below using Halfling Stout for the starting ability scores of S 8, D 16, C 14, I 12, W 12, Chr 14. [1] Fighter 1: Weapon/Armor prof, STR&CON saves, Fighting Style: Duelist, Second Wind HP 12 AC 18 (Scale+Dex+Shield) Rapier [d8+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+3] [2] Fgt 1 / Warlock 1: 1 x 1st slot, Celestial. Healing Light – Pool: 1+warlock lvl d6s. Bonus Action to spend up to CHR and heal anyone within 60’. Hex since we don’t have Shadow Blade HP 18 Hex: Rapier [d8+d6+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+d6+3] [3] Fgt 1 / Warlock 2: 2 x 1st slot. Beguiling Influence, Devil’s Sight HP 24 AC 19 (Half Plate+Dex+Shield) [gold for armor upgrade] [4] Fgt 1 / Warlock 3: 2 x 2nd slot. Pact of the chain. Familiar to turn invisible and use help action. Replace Beguiling Influence with Gift of the Ever-Living Ones to maximize healing. (From Healing Light & others). [B][I]2nd level slots so Shadow Blade comes online.[/I][/B] HP 30 Shadow Blade [2d8+5 psychic]+BB[d8 move], Rapier [d8+5]+BB[d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+3] [5] Fgt 1 / Warlock 4: +2 Dex [18], Booming Blade damage increases HP 36 Shadow Blade [2d8+6 psychic +d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move], Rapier [d8+6 + d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move], Heavy Crossbow [d10+4] [6] Fgt 1 / Warlock 5: 2 x 3rd level slot. Revivify from Celestial spell list? +1 Invocation HP 42 Shadow Blade [3d8+6 psychic +d8 thunder]+BB[2d8 move] [7] Fighter 2 / Wrlk 5: Action Surge HP 49 [8] Fighter 3 / Wrlk 5: Eldritch Knight. 2 x 1st level slots. Shield HP 56 [9] Fighter 4 / Wrlk 5: 3 x 1st slots. Feat: Warcaster [can cast Shield, plus advantage Concentration] HP 63 [10] Fighter 5 / Wrlk 5: Extra Attack HP 70 2x Shadow Blade [3d8+6 psychic], Rapier [d8+6], Long Bow [d8+4] [11] Fighter 6 / Wrlk 5: +2 Dex [20], Cantrips inprove HP 77 2x Shadow Blade [3d8+7 psychic], Rapier [d8+7], Long Bow [d8+5] [12] Fighter 7 / Wrlk 5: 4 x 1st + 2 x 2nd slots; War magic – cantrip and 1 attack HP 84 Shadow Blade [3d8+7 Psychic + 2d8 thunder]+BB[3d8 move] + Shadow Blade [no BB] (DPR, no move: 8d8+14 = 50 avg hit * .65 hit = 32.5 expected DPR. More with advantage (dim or familiar. Also ignores crits and avoiding 1s from halfling lucky) Melee with Hex and BB: Rapier [d8+d6+7 + 2d8 thunder]+BB[3d8 move] + Rapier [d8+d6+7] Ranged with hex: 2x +5 attack, Longbow d8+d6+5 damage, OR 3x +2 attack EB d10+d6 plus +5 attack Hvy Crossbow d10+d8+5? [13] Fighter 8 / Wrlk 5 - for an ASI/feat. Which depends on how to go from here. From here a bunch of ways to go. +4W Warlock 9 - 5th level spells for better Shadow Blade, ASI (@ 8th), increases healing pool +5W Warlock 10 – Celestial Radiance = 12 tHP to party every short rest. +6W Warlock 11 – 3 x 5th level slots, +a daily 6th level slot. +1F Fighter 9 – Indomitable +3F Fighter 11 – Extra Attack [2], but this stops cantrip+1attack so lose BB damage. +1 2nd level slot @ 10th +1S Sorc (Divine Soul) 1 – Favored by the gods (+2d4 to attack/dave 1/rest) and slots +2S Sorc (any) Metamagic and higher level slots +3S Sorc (Shadow) 3 – Darkness/Devil’s sight w/o needing Devil’s sight. Can swap out. 1/day make CHR save to stay at 1 HP instead of going to 0. Not we are not proficient in CHR saves. One possible way: More warlock focused. [13] Fighter 8 / Wrlk 5: +2 CHR [16] – can spend 3 dice of healing pool HP 91 [14] Fgt 8 / Warlock 6: Radiant soul HP 97 [15] Fgt 8 / Warlock 7: 2 x 4th slots, +1 Invocation HP 103 [16] Fgt 8 / Warlock 8: +2 CHR or +2 CON [17] Fgt 8 / Warlock 9: 2 x 5th slots. +1 Invocation. Cantrips improve. Extra cantrip Shadow Blade [4d8+7 Psychic + 3d8 thunder]+BB[4d8 move] + Shadow Blade [no BB] [18] Fgt 8 / Warlock 10: Celestial Radiance [19] Fgt 8 / Warlock 11: 3 x 5th slots. Mystic Arcanum (6th level spell) [20] Warlock 12 for ASI + Invocation, or Fighter 9 for Indomitable. Play it by ear based on how the campaign went. Bonus action economy is a little busy - spending healing from the warlock pool, casting or moving hex for when not using shadow blade, EK's War Magic if using a cantrip. Can self heal and all healing on the character is maximized, but doesn't have the slots for Blur or other hit-prevention spells except Shield to keep up concentration like your build. Can get advantage on a single attack per round from familiar, who is sitting duck for AoE but thanks to warlock improved familiars will be invisible so harder for non-area attacks to take out. Also sets up for devil's sight + darkness if you have a party composition that will allow that to work without hamstringing your party. I didn't consider it in the above. Like I said, not saying this one is better, it definitely can't nova as well. But if the DM is giving the ~2 short rests a day that the DMG recommends, it should have shadow blade most combats starting at 4th level, and can deal with when it doesn't. [/QUOTE]

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