So have a look at my lvl8 Whispers Bard by hitting his name in my signature. He's the Hand and Master of Whisperers for the king of his Dwarven nation (also his Lover, frowned upon in the Dwarven court and kept secret). The King was recently assassinated and now Abaddon has to prove his innocence AND claim revenge. This was a PC idea the DM wanted me to play after joining late because it tied the party to the narrative he has planned.
With the release of Tasha's, Soulknife is calling my name for this character. BUT I can't tell whether the character/class fits the soulknife or if I just want it to. If you reckon it does fit, what split should I do from here on in (keeping in mind I am already lvl8 Bard).
Thanks for any input.
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Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
I am looking into this exact combo. I see 3d6 from the Whispers psychic blades; which, in my reading should combine with the Soulknife's 1d6 + 2d6 potential sneak attack. This looks to me as 6d6 empty handed.
I am leaning towards a 10/10 split for 5 ASI's, magical secrets, 6 skills with expertise, and still 5th level spells. I see the role as skill monkey/stealthy killer.
Absolutely! I'm half tempted to go 11 Rogue just for Reliable Talent, bit then I'll miss Magical Secrets, geez i just dunno!
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Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Well, with any mutliclass combination, I start by asking the following. "What does your action economy look like?" At a glance.... huh. Surprisingly free if you go melee. No real competition.
Next, lets look at synergistic attributes. You have Shillelagh so you can hit things, I presume, but that just transmutes a club or staff. Neither of which are Finesse or Ranged weapons, and ergo don't stack with Sneak Attack. Also doesn't combine with Psychic Blades from soul knife. So, if you go this route, you'll need to rely on your 14 DEX. I'm going to presume you want to use the psychic blades, so that will preclude using actual magic weapons. You'll probably need to invest lots more in dexterity, so that precludes you from getting any future feats, whereas bard would be comfy doing so.
How do you plan on having Sneak Attack land? You could rely on Faerie Fire, but that'd require some set up before you can go into melee. I'd suggest getting Greater Invisibly as well. Otherwise, you'll have to stick with the standard hide option from cunning action, or go into melee and TWF with your blades. Really, though, I suggest the two above spells. A bit of prep, but strong overall. This is a definite plus.
The level 3 features are basically - create short sword and dagger, group telepathy, and rerolling a failed roll. Of the three, the latter two are neat to have, admittedly, but can be situational / DM dependent. Are you regularly failing skill checks, and does your group need telepathy? Meanwhile, as a bard, you'd have the same attack pool (+2d6 from whisper bard blades), access to level 6 spells, and two Magical Secret picks, which could include the Shadow Blade spell.
You don't get any more psychic features until level 9 (total character level 17). At which point, you get an ability to make your attacks accurate, and a teleport (a glorified misty step, which you should already have access to). A level 9 Soul Blade / level 8 Whisperer would have the same damage on the turns that you land both Sneak Attack and Psychic Blade damage. You could deal more damage via sneak attack more often than you could as a pure bard. On the other hand you're giving up level 9 spells.
Only dipping 3 levels for soul knife, and 17 levels of bard, keeps most of the advantages, gives you an extra +2d6 damage as well as the telepathy and skill check boosts, but costs you an ASI and your last Magical Secrets picks.
My guy this is an awesome and may I say very flavorful combo. I'd go 11 rogue for reliable talent as with this build your more combat and skill oriented anyways. I know I'm late but the idea was too good not to comment on.
Thanks mate! I've progressed a couple of levels now and am loving the build!!!
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Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Psychic damage is neat and all, but I've always liked the terrifying aspects of the Whispers Bard more. I though the Soulknife would let you whisper insidiously in your target's mind, but it looks like they can cut it off if they don't want to hear anymore. What would be interesting would be to take a level of Great Old One Warlock, then use your Words of Terror entirely telepathically.
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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!
I have a Whispers/Soulknife too! He's level 13, 8 bard 5 rogue so far, been playing him since May and I love him. The subclasses mesh really well together. I feel really useful both in and out of combat and it's been a really satisfying blend of melee and magic. I'm glad to see you're enjoying your build so far! Do you know how many levels of each you want to take if you end up hitting 20? I always find myself waffling between staying at 8 or possibly taking one or two more levels in bard.
I have a Whispers/Soulknife too! He's level 13, 8 bard 5 rogue so far, been playing him since May and I love him. The subclasses mesh really well together. I feel really useful both in and out of combat and it's been a really satisfying blend of melee and magic. I'm glad to see you're enjoying your build so far! Do you know how many levels of each you want to take if you end up hitting 20? I always find myself waffling between staying at 8 or possibly taking one or two more levels in bard.
See thats the problem with the way I play! I've NEVER multiclassed, not out of principal, but I just get too excited about what ever the next level of what ever the current class is. Our party also already has enough DPS Im the 'caster filling a support role with an Illusion Wiz and a Light Cleric (who plays more like a blaster sorcerer that a support cleric haha). I dont wanna miss out on magical secrets but gagging for that sneak. sooooo I have NO idea haha
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Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired) Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
A Soulknife that is using their psychic blades has no business being in melee range if they can help themselves. Especially when your DM's dice are as hot as my DM's are! While gaining AC is not that hard to do (my characters AC is 20), a d8 for hit dice does not last long on the front lines! A 3 level dip in to Whispers bard can add a lot of flavor to the character, making them more of a skill monkey (Jack of All Trades and Expertise), and even mitigate the loss of sneak attack dice a little. If some spells are your thing, you get some of them, too.
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So have a look at my lvl8 Whispers Bard by hitting his name in my signature. He's the Hand and Master of Whisperers for the king of his Dwarven nation (also his Lover, frowned upon in the Dwarven court and kept secret). The King was recently assassinated and now Abaddon has to prove his innocence AND claim revenge. This was a PC idea the DM wanted me to play after joining late because it tied the party to the narrative he has planned.
With the release of Tasha's, Soulknife is calling my name for this character. BUT I can't tell whether the character/class fits the soulknife or if I just want it to. If you reckon it does fit, what split should I do from here on in (keeping in mind I am already lvl8 Bard).
Thanks for any input.
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
I am looking into this exact combo. I see 3d6 from the Whispers psychic blades; which, in my reading should combine with the Soulknife's 1d6 + 2d6 potential sneak attack. This looks to me as 6d6 empty handed.
I am leaning towards a 10/10 split for 5 ASI's, magical secrets, 6 skills with expertise, and still 5th level spells. I see the role as skill monkey/stealthy killer.
Absolutely! I'm half tempted to go 11 Rogue just for Reliable Talent, bit then I'll miss Magical Secrets, geez i just dunno!
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Bump
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Well, with any mutliclass combination, I start by asking the following. "What does your action economy look like?" At a glance.... huh. Surprisingly free if you go melee. No real competition.
Next, lets look at synergistic attributes. You have Shillelagh so you can hit things, I presume, but that just transmutes a club or staff. Neither of which are Finesse or Ranged weapons, and ergo don't stack with Sneak Attack. Also doesn't combine with Psychic Blades from soul knife. So, if you go this route, you'll need to rely on your 14 DEX. I'm going to presume you want to use the psychic blades, so that will preclude using actual magic weapons. You'll probably need to invest lots more in dexterity, so that precludes you from getting any future feats, whereas bard would be comfy doing so.
How do you plan on having Sneak Attack land? You could rely on Faerie Fire, but that'd require some set up before you can go into melee. I'd suggest getting Greater Invisibly as well. Otherwise, you'll have to stick with the standard hide option from cunning action, or go into melee and TWF with your blades. Really, though, I suggest the two above spells. A bit of prep, but strong overall. This is a definite plus.
The level 3 features are basically - create short sword and dagger, group telepathy, and rerolling a failed roll. Of the three, the latter two are neat to have, admittedly, but can be situational / DM dependent. Are you regularly failing skill checks, and does your group need telepathy? Meanwhile, as a bard, you'd have the same attack pool (+2d6 from whisper bard blades), access to level 6 spells, and two Magical Secret picks, which could include the Shadow Blade spell.
You don't get any more psychic features until level 9 (total character level 17). At which point, you get an ability to make your attacks accurate, and a teleport (a glorified misty step, which you should already have access to). A level 9 Soul Blade / level 8 Whisperer would have the same damage on the turns that you land both Sneak Attack and Psychic Blade damage. You could deal more damage via sneak attack more often than you could as a pure bard. On the other hand you're giving up level 9 spells.
Only dipping 3 levels for soul knife, and 17 levels of bard, keeps most of the advantages, gives you an extra +2d6 damage as well as the telepathy and skill check boosts, but costs you an ASI and your last Magical Secrets picks.
My guy this is an awesome and may I say very flavorful combo. I'd go 11 rogue for reliable talent as with this build your more combat and skill oriented anyways. I know I'm late but the idea was too good not to comment on.
Thanks mate! I've progressed a couple of levels now and am loving the build!!!
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Psychic damage is neat and all, but I've always liked the terrifying aspects of the Whispers Bard more. I though the Soulknife would let you whisper insidiously in your target's mind, but it looks like they can cut it off if they don't want to hear anymore. What would be interesting would be to take a level of Great Old One Warlock, then use your Words of Terror entirely telepathically.
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!
I have a Whispers/Soulknife too! He's level 13, 8 bard 5 rogue so far, been playing him since May and I love him. The subclasses mesh really well together. I feel really useful both in and out of combat and it's been a really satisfying blend of melee and magic. I'm glad to see you're enjoying your build so far! Do you know how many levels of each you want to take if you end up hitting 20? I always find myself waffling between staying at 8 or possibly taking one or two more levels in bard.
See thats the problem with the way I play! I've NEVER multiclassed, not out of principal, but I just get too excited about what ever the next level of what ever the current class is. Our party also already has enough DPS Im the 'caster filling a support role with an Illusion Wiz and a Light Cleric (who plays more like a blaster sorcerer that a support cleric haha). I dont wanna miss out on magical secrets but gagging for that sneak. sooooo I have NO idea haha
Hjalmar Gunderson, Vuman Alchemist Plague Doctor in a HB Campaign, Post Netherese Invasion Cormyr (lvl20 retired)
Godfrey, Autognome Butler in Ghosts of Saltmarsh into Spelljammer
Grímr Skeggisson, Goliath Rune Knight in Rime of the Frostmaiden
DM of two HB campaigns set in the same world.
Why melee when you can throw? Ally jus needs to be within 5 feet of where your enemy is
A Soulknife that is using their psychic blades has no business being in melee range if they can help themselves. Especially when your DM's dice are as hot as my DM's are! While gaining AC is not that hard to do (my characters AC is 20), a d8 for hit dice does not last long on the front lines! A 3 level dip in to Whispers bard can add a lot of flavor to the character, making them more of a skill monkey (Jack of All Trades and Expertise), and even mitigate the loss of sneak attack dice a little. If some spells are your thing, you get some of them, too.