So I'm joining a WBTW campaign in a few days, and I'm coming in at Level 5. I definitely wanted to be a Swashbuckler Swords Bard. But I was wondering how many levels to put into each class. If it helps I'm playing a noble type character as well.
I would try to get to Rogue 5 for uncannny dodge, then to Bard 5.
One neat trick is to walk up to someone in melee with an ally and cast dissonant whispers then when he turns to run away hit him with a reaction sneak attack.
What are you trying to get out of playing this character? Are you wanting a powerful melee damage dealer as you sneak attack with booming blade? If so, then you actually want to keep your bard levels to a minimum, since you want to maximize the damage you get from sneak attack. In fact, going with swords bard might be counter-intuitive since extra attack would be useless to you, as you'll want to use the "cast a spell" action for booming blade instead of the "attack" action, which also makes the extra move speed granted by swords bard a waste since you need to "attack" to get it. Not to mention, this is a character with a d8 hitdie, 2 CON modifier, and only protected by light armor... ain't no way I'd hop into melee like that.
Likewise, if you're wanting to be a spellcaster that just has access to a strong melee option, then, you only really need two levels of rogue for cunning action to disengage after you performing a booming blade. Putting in more will put a significant hamper into your spell progression.
But if you're wanting access to more expertise and go down the "skill monkey" road, which there's nothing wrong with, then maybe one level of rogue's all you need.
HOWEVER, if you're really insistent on playing a swashbuckler rogue who's also a sword's bard, I'd personally start with a 17 in DEX and 16 in CON and CHA, and dump the rest, 4 levels of swashbuckler and take moderately armored as your feat, and one level of bard. From lvl 5 until 7, I'd take bard levels until you unlock swords bard, and then I'd go back into rogue the whole way through. There, now you've got a character who's a pretty darn good frontliner, decently tanky and durable, while having access to spells and flourishes.
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So I'm joining a WBTW campaign in a few days, and I'm coming in at Level 5. I definitely wanted to be a Swashbuckler Swords Bard. But I was wondering how many levels to put into each class. If it helps I'm playing a noble type character as well.
My Character Sheet if that helps
https://ddb.ac/characters/73766049/G7pszE
I would try to get to Rogue 5 for uncannny dodge, then to Bard 5.
One neat trick is to walk up to someone in melee with an ally and cast dissonant whispers then when he turns to run away hit him with a reaction sneak attack.
What are you trying to get out of playing this character? Are you wanting a powerful melee damage dealer as you sneak attack with booming blade? If so, then you actually want to keep your bard levels to a minimum, since you want to maximize the damage you get from sneak attack. In fact, going with swords bard might be counter-intuitive since extra attack would be useless to you, as you'll want to use the "cast a spell" action for booming blade instead of the "attack" action, which also makes the extra move speed granted by swords bard a waste since you need to "attack" to get it. Not to mention, this is a character with a d8 hitdie, 2 CON modifier, and only protected by light armor... ain't no way I'd hop into melee like that.
Likewise, if you're wanting to be a spellcaster that just has access to a strong melee option, then, you only really need two levels of rogue for cunning action to disengage after you performing a booming blade. Putting in more will put a significant hamper into your spell progression.
But if you're wanting access to more expertise and go down the "skill monkey" road, which there's nothing wrong with, then maybe one level of rogue's all you need.
HOWEVER, if you're really insistent on playing a swashbuckler rogue who's also a sword's bard, I'd personally start with a 17 in DEX and 16 in CON and CHA, and dump the rest, 4 levels of swashbuckler and take moderately armored as your feat, and one level of bard. From lvl 5 until 7, I'd take bard levels until you unlock swords bard, and then I'd go back into rogue the whole way through. There, now you've got a character who's a pretty darn good frontliner, decently tanky and durable, while having access to spells and flourishes.