I'm looking to create a Feat-heavy Swords Bard. The character's race will be Variant Human of course, and I plan on only using two of their ASI's to bump CHA for maximizing flourish dice, as well as taking the two-weapon fighting style. What Feats would be best to really play up the swashbuckling nature of the subclass? So far, I'm eying one or both of Mage Slayer and War Caster. What else should I be considering to fill my total of four available choices?
Mm, just off the top of my head I wanna say dual wielder. You'd get to pull both weapons to use in the same turn, both weapons don't have to be light for you to dual wield, and +1 AC when both hands are armed. Decent overall.
((Edit: OH, also, you don't need war caster to cast with full hands as a sword bard. College of swords get to use their swords as arcane spell focuses.
Is War Caster not worth it for the advantage on concentration saves and the spellcasting attack of opportunity option? Also, while Swords Bards use their weapon as a focus, War Caster allows you to do somatic components while wielding weapons/shields.
I was going to say, if you're using Two Weapon Fighting then most of your Bardic Inspirations will be going to the College of Sword abilities instead of the normal array, since both use your Bonus Action.
Duel Wield is the most obvious option. +1 to the die of each weapon and +1 AC. I wouldn't bother with Wascaster for the reason ANT1R3G cited, instead just pick you spell to either V only to require 0gc M. In addition as he says you're probably not going to be using Cantrip for AoOs. If you want to use Concentration spells and "weave" your way in and out of combat then Mobility isn't a bad option as it will help keep you from getting attacked. Lucky can be thematic especially if you want to pull off dashing and daring bull(!%!. Inspiring Leader is always welcome in any party.
Just to clarify, you do need the War Caster feat for spells that have Somatic components but no Material components.
A spellcasting focus just helps when the spell has a Material component, only then would it also allow you to use that same hand holding a material component/spellcasting focus to perform Somatic components.
From the Sage Compendium:
If a spell has a somatic component, you can use the hand that performs the somatic component to also handle the material component. For example, a wizard who uses an orb as a spellcasting focus could hold a quarterstaff in one hand and the orb in the other, and he could cast lightning bolt by using the orb as the spell’s material component and the orb hand to perform the spell’s somatic component.
Another example: a cleric’s holy symbol is emblazoned on her shield. She likes to wade into melee combat with a mace in one hand and a shield in the other. She uses the holy symbol as her spellcasting focus, so she needs to have the shield in hand when she casts a cleric spell that has a material component. If the spell, such as aid, ALSO HAS A SOMATIC COMPONENT, she can perform that component with the shield hand and keep holding the mace in the other.
If the same cleric casts cure wounds, she needs to put the mace or the shield away, BECAUSE THAT SPELL DOESN'T HAVE A MATERIAL COMPONENT BUT DOES HAVE A SOMATIC COMPONENT. She’s going to need a free hand to make the spell’s gestures. If she had the War Caster feat, she could ignore this restriction.
dual wielding is nice, but maybe single handed is better. If I read it correctly, your flourishes can only be used with your main hand weapon. So I´d take +2 damage on your main attack over extra offhand attack. It also synergises better with possible SCAG cantrips or shadow blade later on your career. You also have a hand free to cast and your bonus action for spells and bardic inspiration.
I also like defensive duellist over twf feat since the AC bonus is larger and usable when needed. But in the end, it is your decision and TWF even without warcaster is ok. Warcaster however makes your concentration last a lot longer and even allows you to cast a spell on rare occasions, so go for it.
Is War Caster not worth it for the advantage on concentration saves and the spellcasting attack of opportunity option? Also, while Swords Bards use their weapon as a focus, War Caster allows you to do somatic components while wielding weapons/shields.
I wouldn't bother with Wascaster for the reason ANT1R3G cited, instead just pick you spell to either V only to require 0gc M. In addition as he says you're probably not going to be using Cantrip for AoOs.
Unless they pick up Booming Blade somewhere, in which case, yes, they will be using the hell outta Cantrips of Opportunity Attacks. Additional damage on the main attack (from level 5 on) plus additional damage if they continue moving. Lightning Lure can also be very useful as an Opportunity Attack option.
War Caster is a very good feat. Just the Advantage on Concentration is incredible for a melee spellcaster.
I'd also consider Sentinel, OP, if you aren't excited by some of the other options.
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I'm looking to create a Feat-heavy Swords Bard. The character's race will be Variant Human of course, and I plan on only using two of their ASI's to bump CHA for maximizing flourish dice, as well as taking the two-weapon fighting style. What Feats would be best to really play up the swashbuckling nature of the subclass? So far, I'm eying one or both of Mage Slayer and War Caster. What else should I be considering to fill my total of four available choices?
Mm, just off the top of my head I wanna say dual wielder. You'd get to pull both weapons to use in the same turn, both weapons don't have to be light for you to dual wield, and +1 AC when both hands are armed. Decent overall.
((Edit: OH, also, you don't need war caster to cast with full hands as a sword bard. College of swords get to use their swords as arcane spell focuses.
Is War Caster not worth it for the advantage on concentration saves and the spellcasting attack of opportunity option? Also, while Swords Bards use their weapon as a focus, War Caster allows you to do somatic components while wielding weapons/shields.
I was going to say, if you're using Two Weapon Fighting then most of your Bardic Inspirations will be going to the College of Sword abilities instead of the normal array, since both use your Bonus Action.
Duel Wield is the most obvious option. +1 to the die of each weapon and +1 AC.
I wouldn't bother with Wascaster for the reason ANT1R3G cited, instead just pick you spell to either V only to require 0gc M. In addition as he says you're probably not going to be using Cantrip for AoOs.
If you want to use Concentration spells and "weave" your way in and out of combat then Mobility isn't a bad option as it will help keep you from getting attacked.
Lucky can be thematic especially if you want to pull off dashing and daring bull(!%!.
Inspiring Leader is always welcome in any party.
I find defensive duellist very fitting.
Just to clarify, you do need the War Caster feat for spells that have Somatic components but no Material components.
A spellcasting focus just helps when the spell has a Material component, only then would it also allow you to use that same hand holding a material component/spellcasting focus to perform Somatic components.
From the Sage Compendium:
dual wielding is nice, but maybe single handed is better. If I read it correctly, your flourishes can only be used with your main hand weapon. So I´d take +2 damage on your main attack over extra offhand attack. It also synergises better with possible SCAG cantrips or shadow blade later on your career. You also have a hand free to cast and your bonus action for spells and bardic inspiration.
I also like defensive duellist over twf feat since the AC bonus is larger and usable when needed. But in the end, it is your decision and TWF even without warcaster is ok. Warcaster however makes your concentration last a lot longer and even allows you to cast a spell on rare occasions, so go for it.
We do bones, motherf***ker!