I'm fond of the Bladesinger archetype, in particular the leopard style mentioned in the sidebar. "Leopard style focuses on the shortsword and spells of illusion and stealth" I'm fairly new to D&D, so I was wondering if anyone had advice or ideas for playing around with a character who uses that style. It could be spells, equipment, roleplay/backstory, anything relevant, really.
Ahhh, Illusion and Stealth are right up my alley (the Bladesinger I have is very similar, even wields a shortsword!). Spells I would recommend are the following (up to 5th level):
Charm Person, Color Spray, Fog Cloud, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Shield
Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Hold Person, Invisibility, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force
Gaseous Form, Haste. Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image, Slow
Dominate Person, Hold Monster, Mislead, Telekinesis
Most of these are Illusion and set to work in conjunction with being in melee and battlefield control from the shadows. Anything for a background that ts the shadows, or links to Harpers (which bladesingers fit nicely with) will also work.
Ahhh, Illusion and Stealth are right up my alley (the Bladesinger I have is very similar, even wields a shortsword!). Spells I would recommend are the following (up to 5th level):
Charm Person, Color Spray, Fog Cloud, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Shield
Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Hold Person, Invisibility, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force
Gaseous Form, Haste. Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image, Slow
Dominate Person, Hold Monster, Mislead, Telekinesis
Most of these are Illusion and set to work in conjunction with being in melee and battlefield control from the shadows. Anything for a background that ts the shadows, or links to Harpers (which bladesingers fit nicely with) will also work.
This list is a great jumping off point. I love Singers and have been trying to get a spell list for each different style but this will help immensely for Leopard.
Leopard: Shortswords and spells of Illusion and Stealth. You can dual wield shortswords (get the warcaster feat) and if you use Haste with the melee cantrips from SCAG and you use the Haste action for an attack, you will then qualify for your off hand attack as well, providing you with 3 attacks per round plus added cantrip damage (of either booming blade or green flame blade). Once you get Song of Victory, all your melee attacks while bladesinging get Int modifier bonus to the damage (so a 20 dex 20 int wizard's shortsword does 1d6+10 damage per hit). This brings damage up to a more respectable level if you are worried about damage. You can beef this up if you take some levels in fighter to get the Two-Weapon Fighting Style also. For fluff you can say the shortswords are more like "wolverine-style" claws attached to your wrists or you hold your shortswords in reverse grip to simulate fangs.
Absorb Elements, Charm Person, Color Spray, Fog Cloud, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Disguise Self, Shield
Blindness/Deafness, Blur, Hold Person, Invisibility, Misty Step, Mirror Image, Darkness, Shadow Blade, Phantasmal Force
Blink, Gaseous Form, Haste, Hypnotic Pattern, Major Image, Slow
Dominate Person, Hold Monster, Mislead, Telekinesis, Synaptic Static
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Mirror Image isn't as good for bladesingers because it mostly activates on attacks that wouldn't hit the BS but kill the image. I think manipulating enemies works well and recommend slow and second hypnotic pattern. Fire shield is a good passive buff. I also like otiluke's resilient sphere. Blur is great as is blink. Shadow blade is a good dps buff.
That was my assumption as well but the stipulation is use two hands to make an attack (twohanded weapon like a greatsword) not make a weapon attack with each hand.
Someone correct me if there is some clarification here but from my reading it is only prohibiting you from using twohanded weapons, bows or using the two handed option on versatile weapons like the longsword.
I'm fond of the Bladesinger archetype, in particular the leopard style mentioned in the sidebar. "Leopard style focuses on the shortsword and spells of illusion and stealth" I'm fairly new to D&D, so I was wondering if anyone had advice or ideas for playing around with a character who uses that style. It could be spells, equipment, roleplay/backstory, anything relevant, really.
Ahhh, Illusion and Stealth are right up my alley (the Bladesinger I have is very similar, even wields a shortsword!). Spells I would recommend are the following (up to 5th level):
Most of these are Illusion and set to work in conjunction with being in melee and battlefield control from the shadows. Anything for a background that ts the shadows, or links to Harpers (which bladesingers fit nicely with) will also work.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
Beautiful list, Absorb Elements is a very nice spell to grab it doesn't really fit the style in anyway
If you play a more melee defensive type Bladesinger, then Absorb Elements is a great spell, just depends how close you want to remain to theme.
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Wary the wizard who focuses on homebrew, for he can create nightmares that you wouldn't even dream of
Thanks!
Leopard: Shortswords and spells of Illusion and Stealth. You can dual wield shortswords (get the warcaster feat) and if you use Haste with the melee cantrips from SCAG and you use the Haste action for an attack, you will then qualify for your off hand attack as well, providing you with 3 attacks per round plus added cantrip damage (of either booming blade or green flame blade). Once you get Song of Victory, all your melee attacks while bladesinging get Int modifier bonus to the damage (so a 20 dex 20 int wizard's shortsword does 1d6+10 damage per hit). This brings damage up to a more respectable level if you are worried about damage. You can beef this up if you take some levels in fighter to get the Two-Weapon Fighting Style also. For fluff you can say the shortswords are more like "wolverine-style" claws attached to your wrists or you hold your shortswords in reverse grip to simulate fangs.
Check out my Disabled & Dragons Youtube Channel for 5e Monster and Player Tactics. Helping the Disabled Community and Players and DM’s (both new and experienced) get into D&D. Plus there is a talking Dragon named Quill.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPmyTI0tZ6nM-bzY0IG3ww
Mirror Image isn't as good for bladesingers because it mostly activates on attacks that wouldn't hit the BS but kill the image. I think manipulating enemies works well and recommend slow and second hypnotic pattern. Fire shield is a good passive buff. I also like otiluke's resilient sphere. Blur is great as is blink. Shadow blade is a good dps buff.
Correct me if I am wrong please .... I was under the impression that Blade song is a 1 hand wield style of combat, the other hand must be empty?
Fear is the mind killer!
That was my assumption as well but the stipulation is use two hands to make an attack (twohanded weapon like a greatsword) not make a weapon attack with each hand.
Someone correct me if there is some clarification here but from my reading it is only prohibiting you from using twohanded weapons, bows or using the two handed option on versatile weapons like the longsword.
Here's a Sage Advice on the topic:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2015/01/06/dual-wielding-bladesinger/
Mike Mearls initially says no, but Jeremy Crawford had said yes previously. It seems to be the difference between RAI and RAW.