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Message: <blockquote data-quote="clearstream" data-source="post: 7264629" data-attributes="member: 71699">Here I take a different view, based on looking at how BS is structured and what was published alongside BS (namely GFB, BB and LL). These are mechanically neat designs, with touches such as increasing power with level (opened them to broader use) and skillful play aspects (conditional extra damage). Bladesinger gives a nod to the traditions, but what they were making with the sub-class is a uniquely 5th-edition fighting wizard.The central ability is Bladesong. This is what the class is about. The mechanical problem they had to solve was - how to make a Wizard survive in melee? Their solution was four-fold. <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Adding Int to AC is straightforward, but it creates a knock-on problem: how to stop BS overshadowing martials?!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Extra speed, and not just any type of speed, but walking: can't be abused with Fly, but does help BS get into or stay out of melee. Opens up interesting options (e.g. stack it with Mobility) and synergises with Haste.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Protection against special melee attacks: an important, but subtle flourish. Bladesinger can make their AC incredible (Shield, Haste, friendly buffs) and/or use Blur to become next to unhittable and uncrittable. What could take them down? Special melee attacks, of course. Advantage on Acrobatics pretty much guarantees BS will not suffer advantage on attacks against them (prone) or quickly end such conditions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Adding Int to Concentration is straightforward, and plays nicely with Warcaster: BS can keep buffs up while in melee. This for me was a massive clue that BS was intended to be running buffs (or debuffs) while in melee!</li> </ol>I looked at Training in War and Song. What could this feature possibly give to an Elf with Elf Weapon Training? Light armor is worse than Mage Armor (until it is magical), and BS seemingly has the weapons they need. The answer has to be Rapier and this must have been an attempt to add a couple of points of damage to the average Attack action. It's a possible pointer to an intent that BS adopt two weapon fighting (without the fighting style). But... doesn't that conflict with the cantrips?With more digging (more play alongside a BS in our TotYP campaign, more mathematical modelling and playtesting in stress scenarios) I started to see BS as a fully contemporary design. With hooks to all kinds of interesting parts of the updated game system. Only the fluff hearkens back to days of yore. Each part looks deliberate and clever - create interesting balance through melding unhittable with low damage - but overlooked a more fundamental question (which I will not expand upon here, save to say that it's success is its biggest failing).So maybe that points to a big difference in our analysis? I'm not looking at BS and seeing a weak attempt to recreate a traditional archetype.</blockquote>

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