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My proposed rogue/wizard
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<blockquote data-quote="Esker" data-source="post: 7590978" data-attributes="member: 6966824"><p>If you are planning to use your concentration and 3rd level slots primarily on self-buffing (i.e., haste), you can do just as well or better by upcasting shadow blade (if Xanathar's is available to you, which OP didn't specify; it's not AL legal on a bladesinger, but we're already using DMG eladrin so I assume that part isn't a concern). When in dim light and with no other source of advantage it's no contest: shadow blade has both higher average damage and a lower chance of doing no damage, and doesn't use your bonus action or fill your off-hand. Even a 2nd level shadow blade yields more damage in this case.</p><p></p><p>If shadow blade isn't providing advantage that you wouldn't otherwise have (maybe you have an owl, or a battlemaster that regularly gives you advantage, etc.), the average damage is about the same, though haste does provide more consistent damage, giving it a somewhat better upside all else equal; however, you need to weigh that against taking up your bonus action, making shield unavailable, the high risk if you lose concentration, as well as the opportunity cost. </p><p></p><p>If I'm a melee-focused Rogue 2 / Wizard 4 and deciding what to do on level-up, particularly if I'm not planning to go for extra attack any time soon, taking Rogue 3 and arcane trickster gives me 3rd level slots I can use with shadow blade, and another sneak attack die, and some more cantrips and 1st level spells; plus it puts me only one level away from another ASI. If planning to go swashbuckler instead of arcane trickster, then yes, I'd probably level wizard. I'd probably take wizard 6 right away as well, since shadow blade makes extra attack better than booming blade in many cases. But I may not take haste.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Esker, post: 7590978, member: 6966824"] If you are planning to use your concentration and 3rd level slots primarily on self-buffing (i.e., haste), you can do just as well or better by upcasting shadow blade (if Xanathar's is available to you, which OP didn't specify; it's not AL legal on a bladesinger, but we're already using DMG eladrin so I assume that part isn't a concern). When in dim light and with no other source of advantage it's no contest: shadow blade has both higher average damage and a lower chance of doing no damage, and doesn't use your bonus action or fill your off-hand. Even a 2nd level shadow blade yields more damage in this case. If shadow blade isn't providing advantage that you wouldn't otherwise have (maybe you have an owl, or a battlemaster that regularly gives you advantage, etc.), the average damage is about the same, though haste does provide more consistent damage, giving it a somewhat better upside all else equal; however, you need to weigh that against taking up your bonus action, making shield unavailable, the high risk if you lose concentration, as well as the opportunity cost. If I'm a melee-focused Rogue 2 / Wizard 4 and deciding what to do on level-up, particularly if I'm not planning to go for extra attack any time soon, taking Rogue 3 and arcane trickster gives me 3rd level slots I can use with shadow blade, and another sneak attack die, and some more cantrips and 1st level spells; plus it puts me only one level away from another ASI. If planning to go swashbuckler instead of arcane trickster, then yes, I'd probably level wizard. I'd probably take wizard 6 right away as well, since shadow blade makes extra attack better than booming blade in many cases. But I may not take haste. [/QUOTE]
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