Hi everyone, this is my first ever campaign playing D&D. I find that I am overthinking things and could use some advice on how to set myself up for success now and for later levels.
My PC is a Half-Elf Lore Bard with the current stats - STR: 8/DEX: 16/CON: 14/INT: 8/WIS: 12/CHA: 17
My current party is comprised of a Fighter/Warlock MC, a Peace Cleric, a Divination Wizard, an Air Genasi Monk, and myself. So OK in frontline dmg, but I would think I would need to play the main support/controller role (certainly open to feedback that I am misplaying my PC).
I definitely feel pretty useless so far in combat as I have little damage spells and my control spells feel weak. Therefore, I have 2 questions as I try to game-plan my build.
Am is messing up my spell selection so far, and if not, are there ones I should focus on later to feel a bit more useful?
The main question: How should I be thinking about my ASI/Feat selection? As of now I am thinking the following, but could use the advice on selection and order of selection.
Level 4: Fey Touched (Charisma): +1 CHA/Misty Step/Command. I only need +1 to get the added ability score bonus in Charisma. Figure Misty Step could be useful for combat positioning. Figured Command over Bless because I would most likely have concentration up on another spell at later levels.
Level 8: +2 CHA. Getting my CHA up to 20.
Level 12: Resilient CON. Figured at later levels, Res Con may be better than Warcaster. Does this feel too late to get concentration improvement?
Level 16: Lucky
Level 19: +2 CON
Lastly, for Magical Secrets was considering:
Level 6: Counterspell, Fireball
Level 10: Find Greater Steed, Wall of Force
Level 14: Simulacrum, Disintegrate
Level 18: Wish, Mass Heal
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I find that the flexibility of D&D is fantastic, but until I have a few more campaigns under my belt, feel clueless as to what makes for a good PC in practice. Thanks in advance!
I don't have the energy to go into great detail right now, but have you considered stealing from the Druid, Ranger, and Paladin spell list for your Magical Secrets instead of Counterspell and Fireball? I know Counterspell can be pretty key, but Fireball is both kind of boring and also maybe stepping on the toes of the Wizard. Ponder instead how you can control the tide of battle with Conjure Animals, if your DM feels like they can handle that. Or how you could back up the Fighter and Monk from the midline with Crusader's Mantle.
Also, where did you put your Expertise? With that, the extra skill proficiencies from being a Lore Bard, and access to Enhance Ability, you can also fill the role of skill expert. Are you the party Face?
First, your spells so far are top notch, and I'm confused how you feel underpowered. Your least useful spell is Heat Metal, which does nonsensical damage - it's only limited by needing targets wearing metal. If you wanted to drop it as a spell known, I'd suggest Enhance Ability as a replacement, since you're the party face. Or you can keep it - it does deal absurd amounts of damage.
Second, for your L4 ASI, Fey Touched is easily one of your best bets, but you can do better than Command. Bless is a great spell, but Compelled Duel has a lot of synergy with Cutting Words. I'd pick from those two.
I have yet to use Heat Metal because turns out I am only facing humans in cloth/leather to date. Perhaps that will change. I also have had every spell I"ve cast so far have it's saving throw made by the target. That may just the luck of the roll, but made me concerned that the lack of attack spells in this class may make this a lasting problem. I had considered dipping one level into Hexblade to remedy the situation by giving me Eldritch Blast, increase the armor proficiency, and provide a nice reaction spell in shield, but I may be biting off too much using my first PC in D&D to multiclass.
Your recommendation to take Compelled Duel intrigues me. Reading it's description it sounds like it would provide incentive for the target to pick me in a fight vs. party companions, is that correct? At first glance, as a ranged back-line fighter, don't I want to keep as many people off me as possible? I supposed digging deeper that it could allow the front-liners in my party to stab away at it with impunity (disadvantage for attacks on them) or take Opportunity Attacks if it heads in my direction, but 30 ft. range is just one move action away from hacking me and my AC14 up something fierce, no? Is the idea that I would then use my own cutting words to hopefully reduce the likelihood of a hit? I would think that may work for a round or two, but if my character still has the same damage dealing issue, I would think that tactic would not last long. Plus, isn't Compelled Duel also a concentration spell (I was shying away from Bless for the same reason).
I think you've got a pretty solid build plan, there. for your fey touched spell option, I'd look at Hex. It's concentration again, but can help a lot with both lacklustre damage, and targets making their saves.
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Hi everyone, this is my first ever campaign playing D&D. I find that I am overthinking things and could use some advice on how to set myself up for success now and for later levels.
My PC is a Half-Elf Lore Bard with the current stats - STR: 8/DEX: 16/CON: 14/INT: 8/WIS: 12/CHA: 17
My current party is comprised of a Fighter/Warlock MC, a Peace Cleric, a Divination Wizard, an Air Genasi Monk, and myself. So OK in frontline dmg, but I would think I would need to play the main support/controller role (certainly open to feedback that I am misplaying my PC).
I definitely feel pretty useless so far in combat as I have little damage spells and my control spells feel weak. Therefore, I have 2 questions as I try to game-plan my build.
Lastly, for Magical Secrets was considering:
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I find that the flexibility of D&D is fantastic, but until I have a few more campaigns under my belt, feel clueless as to what makes for a good PC in practice. Thanks in advance!
I don't have the energy to go into great detail right now, but have you considered stealing from the Druid, Ranger, and Paladin spell list for your Magical Secrets instead of Counterspell and Fireball? I know Counterspell can be pretty key, but Fireball is both kind of boring and also maybe stepping on the toes of the Wizard. Ponder instead how you can control the tide of battle with Conjure Animals, if your DM feels like they can handle that. Or how you could back up the Fighter and Monk from the midline with Crusader's Mantle.
Also, where did you put your Expertise? With that, the extra skill proficiencies from being a Lore Bard, and access to Enhance Ability, you can also fill the role of skill expert. Are you the party Face?
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
First, your spells so far are top notch, and I'm confused how you feel underpowered. Your least useful spell is Heat Metal, which does nonsensical damage - it's only limited by needing targets wearing metal. If you wanted to drop it as a spell known, I'd suggest Enhance Ability as a replacement, since you're the party face. Or you can keep it - it does deal absurd amounts of damage.
Second, for your L4 ASI, Fey Touched is easily one of your best bets, but you can do better than Command. Bless is a great spell, but Compelled Duel has a lot of synergy with Cutting Words. I'd pick from those two.
Thanks. That helps.
I have yet to use Heat Metal because turns out I am only facing humans in cloth/leather to date. Perhaps that will change. I also have had every spell I"ve cast so far have it's saving throw made by the target. That may just the luck of the roll, but made me concerned that the lack of attack spells in this class may make this a lasting problem. I had considered dipping one level into Hexblade to remedy the situation by giving me Eldritch Blast, increase the armor proficiency, and provide a nice reaction spell in shield, but I may be biting off too much using my first PC in D&D to multiclass.
Your recommendation to take Compelled Duel intrigues me. Reading it's description it sounds like it would provide incentive for the target to pick me in a fight vs. party companions, is that correct? At first glance, as a ranged back-line fighter, don't I want to keep as many people off me as possible? I supposed digging deeper that it could allow the front-liners in my party to stab away at it with impunity (disadvantage for attacks on them) or take Opportunity Attacks if it heads in my direction, but 30 ft. range is just one move action away from hacking me and my AC14 up something fierce, no? Is the idea that I would then use my own cutting words to hopefully reduce the likelihood of a hit? I would think that may work for a round or two, but if my character still has the same damage dealing issue, I would think that tactic would not last long. Plus, isn't Compelled Duel also a concentration spell (I was shying away from Bless for the same reason).
I think you've got a pretty solid build plan, there. for your fey touched spell option, I'd look at Hex. It's concentration again, but can help a lot with both lacklustre damage, and targets making their saves.