Xeviat
Dungeon Mistress, she/her
Hey everyone. Quick post, a thought I remembered that I had seen a while ago (in relation to the Bladesinger) that has come up again because the Valor Bard in the game I'm running is about to hit 6th level.
The Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard both get Extra Attack at 6th level. It's a good ability: 1d8+3 (or whatever) x2 is better than a cantrip's damage at that point, sure. But is it right? Both the Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard are full casters, 1-9th level spells and all. I think they should be being magical at all times. Also, the warriors are the ones who get multiple attacks. The cleric doesn't even get multiple attacks and they've been bashing people with their maces for ever.
I think the Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard should get War Magic at 6th level instead of Extra Attack. Yes, this means they get it a level before the Eldritch Knight Fighter, but the EK is a 1/3rd caster, not a full caster. Yes, Green-Flame Blade + Attack is strictly better than Attack+Attack, but neither the Valor Bard or Bladesinger Wizard are as incentivized to maximize their Str/Dex as a Fighter is (who is less incentivized to max their Int). It means the Valor Bard can insult your mom and swing their sword at you at the same time, and that the Bladesinger Wizard can swing a sword and shoot off a ray of fire at the same time (just like the 4E version did). It would nerf both of their use of bonus action spells, though; the Valor Bard couldn't Attack+Attack+Healing Word; they'll have to wait quite a few levels to Attack+Cure Wounds instead.
What are your thoughts? There's a definite trade off (except for the Bladeswinger Wizard and Booming Blade/Green Flame Blade, but that may say something to the balance of those cantrips more than anything else), but is it enough?
The Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard both get Extra Attack at 6th level. It's a good ability: 1d8+3 (or whatever) x2 is better than a cantrip's damage at that point, sure. But is it right? Both the Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard are full casters, 1-9th level spells and all. I think they should be being magical at all times. Also, the warriors are the ones who get multiple attacks. The cleric doesn't even get multiple attacks and they've been bashing people with their maces for ever.
I think the Valor Bard and Bladesinger Wizard should get War Magic at 6th level instead of Extra Attack. Yes, this means they get it a level before the Eldritch Knight Fighter, but the EK is a 1/3rd caster, not a full caster. Yes, Green-Flame Blade + Attack is strictly better than Attack+Attack, but neither the Valor Bard or Bladesinger Wizard are as incentivized to maximize their Str/Dex as a Fighter is (who is less incentivized to max their Int). It means the Valor Bard can insult your mom and swing their sword at you at the same time, and that the Bladesinger Wizard can swing a sword and shoot off a ray of fire at the same time (just like the 4E version did). It would nerf both of their use of bonus action spells, though; the Valor Bard couldn't Attack+Attack+Healing Word; they'll have to wait quite a few levels to Attack+Cure Wounds instead.
What are your thoughts? There's a definite trade off (except for the Bladeswinger Wizard and Booming Blade/Green Flame Blade, but that may say something to the balance of those cantrips more than anything else), but is it enough?
