Propsed Bladesinger

[iceman112163]

I've put together an elven Bladesinger through the DDO Character Generator and put together this build. I have not advanced too far into the game, level 6 has been my highest achievement so far. That being said, please go easy on my build as this is the first one I've composed. My motivation for this build goes back to the Complete Book of Elves from 2nd Edition AD&D and have not seen it really translate/transfer into 3rd Edition. I have yet to play 4th Edition but that might change soon enough.

Regardless, I've done some research into the class/prestige class/kit and there are still some aspects that have remained true to the first incarnation of the Bladesinger:
1) - No shields...EVER!
2) - Long sword is the weapon of choice
3) - Reduced penalty for arcane spellcasting
4) - Use of mithral armour
5) - No higher than medium armour

Limitation of high end spell casting have made me go so far as to make the Bladesinger a combination of Fighter 8/Wizard 12. I focused primarily on Weapon Specialization:Long Sword as well as incorporating Two Weapon Fighting and even Two Weapon Blocking. Keep in mind, again, I have no experience with content past level 6 so this build is very skewed. Rationale for taking the Two Weapon Blocking is to substitute a weapon for a shield, preferably a long sword. I would like constructive criticism for the choice of weapon, would long sword, rapier or even a scimitar be better overall. I am fully aware this will change things quite a bit with feat selection.

As for Wizard feats, my choices were Mental Toughness, Quicken Spell and Extend Spell. Wizad based feats: Combat Castiing and Mobile Casting. A list of Starting Stats, Feats, Skills, and Enhancements are given below. I cannot factor in equipment or any expectation of any tomes so go easy on me in that regard.

So without further ado...

Stats

St 16
Dx 16
Cn 14
In 14
Wi 8
Ch 8

Skills:
Concentration 4/21
Balance 2/16/
Tumble 2/16
Use Magical Device 2/10

I worked on all these skills to the end. The numbers are: starting/finishing. UMD seems low, I'll look into that again later.

Character Level: 20
Alignment: True Neutral
Race: Elf
Sex: Male
HP: 260
SP: 859
Class 1: Fighter (8)
Class 2: Wizard (12)
BAB: 14/14/19/24
Fort: 12
Refl: 11
Will: 9

Stat Increases:
Level 4: Int
Level 8: Int
Level 12: Dex
Level 16: Str
Level 20: Str

Level Progression:
1 - Wizard
2 - 5 Fighter
6 - 16 Wizard
17- 20 Fighter

Feats:
1 - Mental Toughness & Toughness
2 - Weapon Focus:Slashing Weapons
3 - Dodgge & Two Weapon Fighting
5 - Weapon Specialization:Slashing Weapons
6 - Mobility
9 - Combat Casting & Extend Spell
12 - Mobile Spellcasting
14 - Quicken Spell
15 - Improved Critical:Slashing Weapons
18 - Improved Two Weapon Fighting & Oversized Two Weapon Fighting
20 - Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Spell Selection I focused on buffs when possible and then damage and then crowd control spells. I'm fully aware this is a support fighter and caster build so I chose not to go too crazy on DPS spells as the primary form of magical expression.

Finally Enhancements were as follows:
1 - Elcen Arcanum 1, Aerenal Elf Melee Damage 1, Wizard Energy of the Scholar 1
2 - Elven Arcane Fluidity 1, Fighter Critical Accuracy 1, Fighter Toughness 1
3 - Fighter Armour Class Boost 1, Racial Toughness 1, Fighter Strength 1
4 - Elven Dexterity 1, Aerenal Elf Melee Attack 1
5 - Fighter Critical Accuracy 2, Fighter Toughness 2
6- Elven Arcane Fluidity 2
7 - Racial Toughness 2, Wizard Intelligence 1
8 - Aerenal Elf Melee Damage 2
9 - Elven Dexterity 2
10 - Aerenal Elf Melee Attack 2
11 - Wizard Energy of the Scholar 2
12 - Elven Arcane Fluidity 3
13 - Wizard Intelligence 2
14 - Wizard Energy of the Scholar 3
16 - Wizard Intelligence 3
17 - Fighter armour Class Boost 3, Elven Arcanum 2 & 3
19 - Fighter Strength 2, Fighter Toughness 3
20 - Fighter Armour Class Boost 3, Fighter Haste 1, Longsword Specialization 1

Again any constructive feedback is greatly appreciated.

[r3dl4nce]

melee + arcane caster NEED warforged. To self heal.

[iceman112163]

I am well aware that Warforged need arcane spellcasting for efficient healing but the build itself is for an elf. I have put some thought into acquiring Repair spells as I gain access to new levels but if I do so, I will try to remember to keep any WF companions alive. Keep in mind though that such a role is usually not the job of an arcane caster. My maximum spell level selection is six.

If the overall feedback is positive I'll probably incorporate something similiar for a Warforged build.

[Darkrok]

Any reason you went 12 wizard over 12 fighter? Bladesingers typically used their spells to augment their fighting while maybe tossing out the odd fireball or such. Are there any level 5 or level 6 spells that you feel strongly you need for that flavor in the build? Because I know you won't be taking the pre for 12 wizard (Pale Master does NOT fit in with a Bladesinger) but Kensei II certainly does fit in. You'd still be able to get your own shield/nightshield, haste, blur, displacement, stone skin, etc, you'll have 2 free caster metamagic feats (which means easy room for Extend given that we're on a fighter 12 build and getting the extra 7 martial feats that entails). You might even be able to fit in arcane archer if you want to really play up the elf end of things as you'll have a large number of feats (16 in all) and might have the room for both Kensei II and Arcane Archer.

Obviously this isn't an 'uber' build but it could be surprisingly durable if you keep up stoneskin/displacement. Finally, I'd give serious thought to going 12 fighter/7 wizard/1 rogue or bard to get access to UMD. Not sure if you'll have the skill points for it (that would depend on how much int you took and you could actually get by on this build with an 8 int) but if you can fit in the skill points it would be well worth it. You're not getting much from either 13 fighter or 8 wizard so that 1 level of bard or rogue for UMD and extra starting skill points could be very nice.

[r3dl4nce]

So why not play an elf bard dual wielding scimitars? Buffs, songs, heals and melee...

[iceman112163]

Darkrok

Thank you for the feedback. I chose initially to focus more on the Wizard than Fighter because of the what felt like the role playing aspect of a greater focus on spellcasting versus melee. You have prompted me to reconsider that choice and having read a few articles, the general consensus is a much greater emphasis on melee over magic. Believe me, I wish Turbine had more options available for more prestige classes than the Pale Master. I found reference with a 2nd Ed. entry on the kit and necromancy as a school is expressly forbidden. It really does not suit the class as well as the racial background.

Regardless, your suggestion has greater merit than I had considered before. I had briefly made a level 4 Bladesinger with a Sorcerer/Fighter combination but I found the skill point allocation to be deficient to say the least. Even with a lower level and Charisma score it does not fit into my mindset to make a good build. I am certain someone else can work things out better than I can so I leave that to others to take the challenge if the need is felt. So, following your advice I will pursue a first level rogue to commence the path. Truth be told, I was trying to keep it true to the origins but given the lack of enhancements and the aforementioned Pale Master prestige class, it is a tough choice to get it all to fit in just right.

That being said, I will work out a build that is a 13 Fighter/1 Rogue/7 Wizard. I will keep you posted.

[Quanefel]

OP, good ideas. If you want to look at a capped 12/8 ftr/mage "Bladesinger" build then look up mine in MyDDO. Name of character is Sabrine on Khyber server.

[Rav'n]

So why not play an elf bard dual wielding scimitars? Buffs, songs, heals and melee...

Cus then he'd be playing me... and that ain't happening...

[Karavek]

A real Bladesinger would never ever use two weapon style. One sword in main hand, off hand free to form hand gestures, while sword will be used to aim more or less, though a good blade singer would have a spell touched weapon allowing it to transfer touch spells while being used to make attacks.

Although technically shields are also a no no, a mithril buckler technically has no spell failure rate, nor skill check penalty, and is practically weightless. So we did always let them use one if it also was elven made.

However as Blade Singers, though traditionally wizards in 2E. where clearly more directed towards a pure bard prestige class in 3E and on, as bard gave the exact reqs at the minimun lvl to become a bladesinger, where no matter how you mixed fighter and wizard it would take one lvl longer to qualify for. Most of the best benefits wouldnt even really belong here, like spell parrying etc. since countering spells here is not really a practice.

A AC bonus for wielding one sword, the chosen weapon, and no shield would be a good start, probably twice what tempest gets since tempest gets double the attacks. Maybe a natural shattermaantle and improved shattermantle effect added to ones attacks eventually, akin to the paladin getting ghost touch.

However I really just support something involving a battle cleric mix. best natural class for cmbat and casting in one with a few lvls in monk and a longsword, maybe a lvl or 2 in fighter, the rest in cleric for id say at least 13lvls.

[Karavek]

However if you really are bent on using wizard. then id suggest these basic ingrediants.

32 point high elf, lvl 1 rogue, lvl take ftr, lvl 3 take rogue for evasion, from here on wizrd for lvl 17 which grants 9th lvl spells which any real wiard wants so as to tear apart space and time if provoked. U got all the weapon and armor prof you need to equip up in a set of blue shine mithril chain shirt, get a nice rapier. focus in dex and int alone. max int to start. 16 dex to start, rest in con. Eat a plus 2 supreme tome at 7, this is not an option your an elf ina dwarf and golems world. U can be a great trap monkey thanks to all the skill points to burn, you got evasion, you will be tolerable especially in the low to mid lvls in a fight if u twink abit( do not try this as your first build, a real bladesinger has a patron to finance him, i.e a high lvl alt). and by end game as long as u got the right feats, items, and enhancments, then you will cast good enough to feel good enough to wreck the world.