There are four S-but-not-M spells in the three main books that have a Reaction casting time: Shield, Absorb Elements, Counterspell and Hellish Rebuke. This are really the only four that are at issue. So why those four? I would say that it was a deliberate design choice in order to make them relatively harder to use in combination with weapons and armour.
(Absorb Elements was not in one of the three main books)
There are only eight reaction spells in the entire game. Two have real M components -- Feather Fall and and the 6th-level necromancy spell Soul Cage from Xanathar's. (Gift of Gab from AcqInc has that weird Royalty component)
The eighth is Silvery Barbs, which is V only
If it was a deliberate design choice to make reaction spells with combat applications harder to cast (or dual wielders, for that matter), why was Feather Fall excluded from the list? Why can a sword-and-board Swords bard cast Feather Fall using their sword as a focus, but not Shield?
If it was a deliberate design choice, why did they change their mind on it later on with Silvery Barbs?
To be fair, I'm pretty sure there has been significant power creep since the PHB originally came out. Silvery Barbs, Peace Cleric, Eloquence Bard, Artillery Artificer, etc. So design choices have changed, not always for the better and not always with a consistent design philosophy.
Oh, for sure. I don't really think there's much of a "design philosophy" at work there at all, really. At the least, the data is inconclusive that there is/was one
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Active characters:
Askatu, hyperfocused vedalken freedom fighter in Wildspace (Zealot barb/Swashbuckler rogue/Battle Master fighter) Green Hill Sunrise, jaded tabaxi mercenary trapped in the Dark Domains (Battle Master fighter) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Variant human or custom lineage for warcaster feat.
Level 1 hexblade - wisdom proficiency, hex, hexblades curse, shield spell, booming blade, charisma for weapon attacks, eldritch blast, proficiency in martial weapons (swords bard only gives you proficiency in scimitar) After that go swords bard the rest of the way.
Use dissonant whispers and warcaster reaction attack with booming blade. Or use the hex spell with your weapon attacks. Defensive flourish and shield spell should make you tough to hit.
At 3rd level swords bard take two weapon fighting.
At level 10 bard, pick up spirit shroud and find greater steed with your magical secrets for an extra 2d8 on all 3 of your attacks and your steeds attacks. If you can find a flame tongue or similar weapon even better for you.
Asi’s/feats - max your charisma and resilient con. After that inspiring leader, eldritch adept to take agonizing blast for extra eldritch blast damage and dual weilder are all great.
Use Inspiring leader feat and Aid spell to buff you and your party.
Oh, for sure. I don't really think there's much of a "design philosophy" at work there at all, really. At the least, the data is inconclusive that there is/was one
Active characters:
Askatu, hyperfocused vedalken freedom fighter in Wildspace (Zealot barb/Swashbuckler rogue/Battle Master fighter)
Green Hill Sunrise, jaded tabaxi mercenary trapped in the Dark Domains (Battle Master fighter)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Hexblade 1, Swords Bard X
Variant human or custom lineage for warcaster feat.
Level 1 hexblade - wisdom proficiency, hex, hexblades curse, shield spell, booming blade, charisma for weapon attacks, eldritch blast, proficiency in martial weapons (swords bard only gives you proficiency in scimitar) After that go swords bard the rest of the way.
Use dissonant whispers and warcaster reaction attack with booming blade. Or use the hex spell with your weapon attacks. Defensive flourish and shield spell should make you tough to hit.
At 3rd level swords bard take two weapon fighting.
At level 10 bard, pick up spirit shroud and find greater steed with your magical secrets for an extra 2d8 on all 3 of your attacks and your steeds attacks. If you can find a flame tongue or similar weapon even better for you.
Asi’s/feats - max your charisma and resilient con. After that inspiring leader, eldritch adept to take agonizing blast for extra eldritch blast damage and dual weilder are all great.
Use Inspiring leader feat and Aid spell to buff you and your party.