So in my next campaign (we’ll be starting off at 1
or very maybe 2) I want to play a bladesinger. for race i was considering either shifter (swift stride) from mordenkainen. This means BA shifting for temp hp (2x prof bonus) and being able to use reaction to move 10 feet without taking an AoO when someone finishes their turn within 5ft of me. So some extra HP and moving away if needed
For custom origin I was considering starting lvl 1 with the Tough feat.
Realistically I’d already have 16-17 AC when bladesinging as early as lvl 2 ( mage armor and bladesinging bonus)
I am aware that Both shifting and bladesinging costs a BA. Our DM doesn’t really throw more than 2 combat encounter per long rest (at most) so I’d be fine there.
Both in the short and long run, how does the shifting compare to extra hp from tough for the survivability of a bladesinger?
Bladesingers get light armor proficiency at level 2, so you're really only super squishy at level 1. If you're careful, it's not that hard to survive since all the baddies are level 1 equivalent. At first level, Tough would give you 2 extra HP; Shifter would give you 4. Tough would give you a lot more HP in the long run though.
Personally, I think you're better off trying to increase your AC and take a feat that helps with spellcasting. Make dex second highest after int and take Shield as a spell.
If you want to consider a feat for early game survivability I would go with Eldritch Adept to pick up Fiendish Vigor for 8 temp hp before the start of every combat and the ability to recast during combat for 5-8 temp hp. And later on when you do not require the Temp hp anymore you can swap Fiendish Vigor for something else like Eldritch Mind.
So in my next campaign (we’ll be starting off at 1
or very maybe 2) I want to play a bladesinger.
for race i was considering either shifter (swift stride) from mordenkainen.
This means BA shifting for temp hp (2x prof bonus) and being able to use reaction to move 10 feet without taking an AoO when someone finishes their turn within 5ft of me.
So some extra HP and moving away if needed
For custom origin I was considering starting lvl 1 with the Tough feat.
Realistically I’d already have 16-17 AC when bladesinging as early as lvl 2 ( mage armor and bladesinging bonus)
I am aware that Both shifting and bladesinging costs a BA. Our DM doesn’t really throw more than 2 combat encounter per long rest (at most) so I’d be fine there.
Both in the short and long run, how does the shifting compare to extra hp from tough for the survivability of a bladesinger?
Bladesingers get light armor proficiency at level 2, so you're really only super squishy at level 1. If you're careful, it's not that hard to survive since all the baddies are level 1 equivalent. At first level, Tough would give you 2 extra HP; Shifter would give you 4. Tough would give you a lot more HP in the long run though.
Personally, I think you're better off trying to increase your AC and take a feat that helps with spellcasting. Make dex second highest after int and take Shield as a spell.
If you want to consider a feat for early game survivability I would go with Eldritch Adept to pick up Fiendish Vigor for 8 temp hp before the start of every combat and the ability to recast during combat for 5-8 temp hp. And later on when you do not require the Temp hp anymore you can swap Fiendish Vigor for something else like Eldritch Mind.
yeah, i agree about eldritch adept. SUPER great feat in my opinion.