I have the idea of a lightly armored warrior with versatile / two handed weapon (dependend on how you understand the rules about casting and holding greatsword in one hand when not fighting with it) to be able to both cast spells and fight. Obviously not on the level of single focused dedicated warrior or mage, but good.
There are unarmored specialities, which do not really fit my idea - I think the level of armor is always cost-benefit and some armor should be there.
The paladin / ranger don´t have tha "classic battlemage repertoir".
The eldritch knight is not good enought caster. And has unnecessarily heavy armor.
Bladesinger is not good enough warrior. And can´t use two handed strikes.
Bloodhunters work well for this, and multiclass well with Wizards, Artificers, Eldritch Knight Fighters, and Arcane Trickster Rogues. A Bloodhunter/Abjuration Specialist Wizard would get a lot of mileage out a melee focus, but really almost any school focus would work for you other than Bladesinger.
Note on the "Light Armor": That's tough to do for a Greatsword specialist, since Greatswords can't be used as Finesse weapons. That would either require you to A) Focus on maxing both Strength and Dexterity (leaving your casting stat locked at +2 or +3 your whole career), or B) multiclass into Warlock (Hexbalde) (Pact of the Blade) for at least 3 levels, to pick up the ability to make Greatsword attacks with Charisma, and commit to being a Charisma caster (Warlock, Sorcerer, Bard, or Paladin). I'd recommend using Medium Armor instead, and leaving Dex at 14 for your career to focus on Strength and [Caster Stat].
Flashy magic, no, but he does use various magical "signs" with combat or self-buffing effects. Witchers even have to leave a hand free while fighting to use them, by gesturing or drawing the sign on a surface, so they really straight up just are Somatic component spells :p
Flashy magic, no, but he does use various magical "signs" with combat or self-buffing effects. Witchers even have to leave a hand free while fighting to use them, by gesturing or drawing the sign on a surface, so they really straight up just are Somatic component spells :p
If that's the case I'm wondering what the OP is looking for.
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"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Flashy magic, no, but he does use various magical "signs" with combat or self-buffing effects. Witchers even have to leave a hand free while fighting to use them, by gesturing or drawing the sign on a surface, so they really straight up just are Somatic component spells :p
If that's the case I'm wondering what the OP is looking for.
Advise on a lightly armored Gish that uses a big sword??? Thought that was clear...
The OP said spell caster with a sword. Went on to say the general choices didn't match because they were not "spelly" enough- Paladin, and EK. Neither was Bladesinger. You said witchers generally just use detections and buffs.
So I was curious that if media (comics/show) say witchers aren't heavy casters, why would Paladins and EKs not be spelly enough.
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"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Not sure why no one has mentioned Hexblade + pact of the blade Warlock yet, it's exactly what you asked for and more. You can wear armor, summon a greatsword (or any other weapon including longbow with invocations), you get multi attack and interesting utility Witcher stuff through invocations, and get a couple buffing/utility/damaging spells every long rest. Also weapons use charisma, so you don't run into the problem of needing high dex and high strength. I made a Nazgul character like this for a one shot recently and it was one of the most fun mechanical experiences I've ever had.
The Bloodhunter (especially Mutant) is explicitly based off of the Witcher. I stand by it as an option with superior features to EK, and/or a multi option that improves EK operation in every way. A Bloodhunter/Wizard does what an EK does, but better, and with more fun features.
The Bloodhunter (especially Mutant) is explicitly based off of the Witcher. I stand by it as an option with superior features to EK, and/or a multi option that improves EK operation in every way. A Bloodhunter/Wizard does what an EK does, but better, and with more fun features.
I agree about the Order of the Mutant Bloodhunter for a Witcher. (I suggested it to my player several times before resorting to homebrew to make them happy.) Considering that Mercer is one of the biggest Witcher fans in the world it’s little wonder it came out so good.
The obvious option as I see it is hexblade warlock, access to powerful spells lightly or moderately armored (the witcher 3 has him in medium armor) and able to wield a longsword with two hands.
Otherwise you are probably looking at multiclassing and it will be very MAD. You need strength for your weapon, dex for your AC, decent con as a melee combatent and a spellcasting ability.
The obvious option as I see it is hexblade warlock, access to powerful spells lightly or moderately armored (the witcher 3 has him in medium armor) and able to wield a longsword with two hands.
Otherwise you are probably looking at multiclassing and it will be very MAD. You need strength for your weapon, dex for your AC, decent con as a melee combatent and a spellcasting ability.
The problem is that Witchers do not have access to powerful spells in the lore. They know “Signs” which are considered “minor magic” in their world, the kind of “paltry parlor tricks that a hedge witch would use” by the Sorcerers who have “real magic” in their blood. (That’s where they got the name “Witchers” as a slur against them.) Originally, Witchers were all part of the same order of Knights before there were rifts that lead to the order disbanding and the formation of the various Witcher Schools.
In D&D, any spell 3rd-level or higher is considered “powerful magic” and Cantrips, 1st & 2nd-level spells are D&D’s “minor magic of the sort that a hedge witch would use.”
I just finished the series* and have thought a bit about how I would build Geralt. I will say upfront, that you will have to choose between playing an actual Witcher or playing a Gish (Fighter/Wizard) who hunts monsters. The reason being...Witchers don't really know a lot of magic. Most of their enhanced abilities come from the rite they undergo and the potions they take. The magic they do use is mostly done through rote memory signs and force of will.
I think the build closest to the flavor of the books would be an Artificer (Alchemist)/Bloodhunter (Mutant) multiclass or Wizard (War Magic)/Bloodhunter (Mutant) multiclass.
I think Bloodhunter is essential for the deadly rite that Witchers go through and Order of the Mutant for the enhancement elixirs they take. Alchemist will go deeper into the elixir flavor while giving you some magical abilities. War Magic would give you that uncanny defense that Witchers seem to have while giving you access to magic.
If you mostly just want to be a Gish, I think Fighter 1/Wizard (War Magic) x works great. Or Eldritch Knight with a dip into Wizard.
Good luck to you!
*It's not the point of the post, but if anyone is interested: I think the series is, overall, disappointing. The storyline is fairly convoluted, the plot moves very slowly, and you don't even get much of the monster hunter...hunting monsters...The short stories are a lot of fun, however.
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I have the idea of a lightly armored warrior with versatile / two handed weapon (dependend on how you understand the rules about casting and holding greatsword in one hand when not fighting with it) to be able to both cast spells and fight. Obviously not on the level of single focused dedicated warrior or mage, but good.
There are unarmored specialities, which do not really fit my idea - I think the level of armor is always cost-benefit and some armor should be there.
The paladin / ranger don´t have tha "classic battlemage repertoir".
The eldritch knight is not good enought caster. And has unnecessarily heavy armor.
Bladesinger is not good enough warrior. And can´t use two handed strikes.
Bloodhunters work well for this, and multiclass well with Wizards, Artificers, Eldritch Knight Fighters, and Arcane Trickster Rogues. A Bloodhunter/Abjuration Specialist Wizard would get a lot of mileage out a melee focus, but really almost any school focus would work for you other than Bladesinger.
Note on the "Light Armor": That's tough to do for a Greatsword specialist, since Greatswords can't be used as Finesse weapons. That would either require you to A) Focus on maxing both Strength and Dexterity (leaving your casting stat locked at +2 or +3 your whole career), or B) multiclass into Warlock (Hexbalde) (Pact of the Blade) for at least 3 levels, to pick up the ability to make Greatsword attacks with Charisma, and commit to being a Charisma caster (Warlock, Sorcerer, Bard, or Paladin). I'd recommend using Medium Armor instead, and leaving Dex at 14 for your career to focus on Strength and [Caster Stat].
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Was the Witcher really much of a caster? I'll admit I only saw the show, and in it, he didn't really do any flashy magic.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Flashy magic, no, but he does use various magical "signs" with combat or self-buffing effects. Witchers even have to leave a hand free while fighting to use them, by gesturing or drawing the sign on a surface, so they really straight up just are Somatic component spells :p
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
If that's the case I'm wondering what the OP is looking for.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Advise on a lightly armored Gish that uses a big sword??? Thought that was clear...
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
Question.
What is "the classic battlemage repertoire"?
That will heavily influence the answer to your question.
Please do not contact or message me.
Probably something like this:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/IamSposta/characters/36974604
I wrote that for one of my players who is a huge Witcher fan.
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That kinna feels like cheating, Sposta. Just a twitch.
Please do not contact or message me.
The OP said spell caster with a sword. Went on to say the general choices didn't match because they were not "spelly" enough- Paladin, and EK. Neither was Bladesinger. You said witchers generally just use detections and buffs.
So I was curious that if media (comics/show) say witchers aren't heavy casters, why would Paladins and EKs not be spelly enough.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Oh?
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It's Sposta, what were you expecting?
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Heeyyy.... What the heck is that supposed to mean?
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Not sure why no one has mentioned Hexblade + pact of the blade Warlock yet, it's exactly what you asked for and more. You can wear armor, summon a greatsword (or any other weapon including longbow with invocations), you get multi attack and interesting utility Witcher stuff through invocations, and get a couple buffing/utility/damaging spells every long rest. Also weapons use charisma, so you don't run into the problem of needing high dex and high strength. I made a Nazgul character like this for a one shot recently and it was one of the most fun mechanical experiences I've ever had.
The Bloodhunter (especially Mutant) is explicitly based off of the Witcher. I stand by it as an option with superior features to EK, and/or a multi option that improves EK operation in every way. A Bloodhunter/Wizard does what an EK does, but better, and with more fun features.
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
I agree about the Order of the Mutant Bloodhunter for a Witcher. (I suggested it to my player several times before resorting to homebrew to make them happy.) Considering that Mercer is one of the biggest Witcher fans in the world it’s little wonder it came out so good.
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The obvious option as I see it is hexblade warlock, access to powerful spells lightly or moderately armored (the witcher 3 has him in medium armor) and able to wield a longsword with two hands.
Otherwise you are probably looking at multiclassing and it will be very MAD. You need strength for your weapon, dex for your AC, decent con as a melee combatent and a spellcasting ability.
The problem is that Witchers do not have access to powerful spells in the lore. They know “Signs” which are considered “minor magic” in their world, the kind of “paltry parlor tricks that a hedge witch would use” by the Sorcerers who have “real magic” in their blood. (That’s where they got the name “Witchers” as a slur against them.) Originally, Witchers were all part of the same order of Knights before there were rifts that lead to the order disbanding and the formation of the various Witcher Schools.
In D&D, any spell 3rd-level or higher is considered “powerful magic” and Cantrips, 1st & 2nd-level spells are D&D’s “minor magic of the sort that a hedge witch would use.”
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Exactly. He didn't use any of the teleport or fireball or whatever stuff. So again, wondering why the OP was saying the classes were not magic enough.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
I just finished the series* and have thought a bit about how I would build Geralt. I will say upfront, that you will have to choose between playing an actual Witcher or playing a Gish (Fighter/Wizard) who hunts monsters. The reason being...Witchers don't really know a lot of magic. Most of their enhanced abilities come from the rite they undergo and the potions they take. The magic they do use is mostly done through rote memory signs and force of will.
I think the build closest to the flavor of the books would be an Artificer (Alchemist)/Bloodhunter (Mutant) multiclass or Wizard (War Magic)/Bloodhunter (Mutant) multiclass.
I think Bloodhunter is essential for the deadly rite that Witchers go through and Order of the Mutant for the enhancement elixirs they take. Alchemist will go deeper into the elixir flavor while giving you some magical abilities. War Magic would give you that uncanny defense that Witchers seem to have while giving you access to magic.
If you mostly just want to be a Gish, I think Fighter 1/Wizard (War Magic) x works great. Or Eldritch Knight with a dip into Wizard.
Good luck to you!
*It's not the point of the post, but if anyone is interested: I think the series is, overall, disappointing. The storyline is fairly convoluted, the plot moves very slowly, and you don't even get much of the monster hunter...hunting monsters...The short stories are a lot of fun, however.