Alright so I realize this concept won't necessarily be optimized but I wanted to see if my theory worked:
So according to my reading, Rage and Bladesong can indeed stack (although you lose out on the concentration buff since you can't cast spells while raging) but the barb getting some extra AC, Dex, and movement doesn't hurt. And it only takes 2 levels to do.
What barbarian subclass do you guys think would best take advantage of the bladesong, and what kind of build including feats/spell for the two wizard levels would you suggest?
I like the path of Ancestral Guardian, the story of an elf who brings back Bladesinging with the help of his ancestors sounds fun to play. 3 lvls of wizard gets you 2nd level spells like mirror image which isn't a concentration spell and boosts your defenses even further, you just need to cast then rage/bladesing. Not to mention useful spells that are good out of combat like spider climb, invisibility, knock, misty step, etc.
As for the character i would start Barbarian then go 2 lvls into wizard after that. Wood elf if i wanted to play up the mobility and high elf if i wanted to optimize my stats. I would use shortswords until i could take the dual wielding feat, then switch to longswords. I would focus on spells that are useful out of combat (detect magic, identify, feather fall, find familiar) and maybe firebolt as my ranged weapon. Some combats raging into melee range is worse than using firebolt to plink at range. Focus on Str, Con, Dex/Int, Wis, Cha in that order. I wouldn't worry about feats like warcaster as you wouldn't be casting alot of spells in combat anyways. If you did just put one weapon away so you have a free hand to cast with.
That would be a very MAD character, but sounds like it would be so much fun to play. Very unique and cool!
I agree with halfling2099 about taking spells for utility instead of combat. Path of the Totem Warrior makes sense to me because:
Styles of Bladesinging are broadly categorized based on the type of weapon employed, and each is associated with a category of animal. Within that style are specializations named after specific animal types, based on the types of spells employed, the techniques of the master, and the particular weapon used.
Styles that employ a sword belong to the Cat family, including the longsword-wielding Lion style and the scimitar-wielding Red Tiger style. Styles that focus on the use of hafted weapons belong to the Bird family, including the handaxe-throwing Eagle style or warpick-wielding Raven style. Styles that use whips, chains, or flails are included in the Snake style family, such as the whip-wielding Viper style.
Bladesingers who apprentice to a master typically get a tattoo of their chosen style's animal. Some bladesingers learn multiple styles and bear many tattoos, wearing a warning on their skin of their deadly skills.
It would make a perfect Gestalt character where every level you gain a level in both classes.
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Alright so I realize this concept won't necessarily be optimized but I wanted to see if my theory worked:
So according to my reading, Rage and Bladesong can indeed stack (although you lose out on the concentration buff since you can't cast spells while raging) but the barb getting some extra AC, Dex, and movement doesn't hurt. And it only takes 2 levels to do.
What barbarian subclass do you guys think would best take advantage of the bladesong, and what kind of build including feats/spell for the two wizard levels would you suggest?
I like the path of Ancestral Guardian, the story of an elf who brings back Bladesinging with the help of his ancestors sounds fun to play. 3 lvls of wizard gets you 2nd level spells like mirror image which isn't a concentration spell and boosts your defenses even further, you just need to cast then rage/bladesing. Not to mention useful spells that are good out of combat like spider climb, invisibility, knock, misty step, etc.
As for the character i would start Barbarian then go 2 lvls into wizard after that. Wood elf if i wanted to play up the mobility and high elf if i wanted to optimize my stats. I would use shortswords until i could take the dual wielding feat, then switch to longswords. I would focus on spells that are useful out of combat (detect magic, identify, feather fall, find familiar) and maybe firebolt as my ranged weapon. Some combats raging into melee range is worse than using firebolt to plink at range. Focus on Str, Con, Dex/Int, Wis, Cha in that order. I wouldn't worry about feats like warcaster as you wouldn't be casting alot of spells in combat anyways. If you did just put one weapon away so you have a free hand to cast with.
That would be a very MAD character, but sounds like it would be so much fun to play. Very unique and cool!
I agree with halfling2099 about taking spells for utility instead of combat. Path of the Totem Warrior makes sense to me because:
Styles of Bladesinging are broadly categorized based on the type of weapon employed, and each is associated with a category of animal. Within that style are specializations named after specific animal types, based on the types of spells employed, the techniques of the master, and the particular weapon used.
Styles that employ a sword belong to the Cat family, including the longsword-wielding Lion style and the scimitar-wielding Red Tiger style. Styles that focus on the use of hafted weapons belong to the Bird family, including the handaxe-throwing Eagle style or warpick-wielding Raven style. Styles that use whips, chains, or flails are included in the Snake style family, such as the whip-wielding Viper style.
Bladesingers who apprentice to a master typically get a tattoo of their chosen style's animal. Some bladesingers learn multiple styles and bear many tattoos, wearing a warning on their skin of their deadly skills.
It would make a perfect Gestalt character where every level you gain a level in both classes.