working up a variant for a player in my campaign. I have a player who proposed two changes to the wizard tradition. I'm looking for community feedback to help with my decision. I will state my game is based on point buy and no multiclassing. Without further delay here are the requested changes:
6th level - Blade Ward and True Strike can be cast as a bonus action while you are bladesinging (this feature would replace extra attack and have the player rely on their weapon cantrips)
14th level - as part of the attack action or while casting a blade cantrip you can expend a spell slot of upto 5th level and deal 1+spell slot d8 force damage while you are bladesinging (this replaces the +int to melee damage and would allow the player to play the gish character they are envisioning)
Lastly my group consists of a Bard, a Cleric, Druid, and this Wizard.
My first thoughts on both of these changes are that both of them seem like really bad options. I'm not a giant class optimization expert by any means but it seems like you are giving up way to much with for what you are getting in return for the first option and potentially giving way too much with the 2nd.
I completely understand the desire to rely more on weapon cantrips for the bladesinger, but I don't think this is the way to go about it. it sounds like really what you are wanting to give them is a much worse version of War Magic but instead of getting a bonus attack whenever casting a cantrip, you forever lose your 2nd attack and can only use it with two specific cantrips. A bad trade in my opinion for just those two specific cantrips which I personally don't find all that impressive to begin with, especially True Strike. Why not just let them trade out the bladesinger level 6 option of a second attack for the Eldritch Knight 7th lvl "War Magic" feature? Personally I think they really should have given the bladesinger the level 7 Eldritch Knight "War Magic" Feature instead of the straight up second attack anyway and doesn't conflict with the Eldritch Knights additional attack gained at higher levels. It seems to me like using magic in conjunction with wielding a sword is much more of a wizard thing to do that just swinging a blade twice a round.
The 14th level ability basically gives your full caster wizard a slightly weaker version of the Paladin Smite ability as a subclass ability. Sure, each "Smite" would do slightly less damage but if you burned all your available spells at level 14 the wizard could smite 15 times before using their arcane recovery to regain another combined 7 levels of spells. I have not played a Bladesinger up to 14th level so I can't speak from experience, but I do think that just adding your Intelligence Modifier to your damage sounds pretty lackluster and it could use something yet.
I kind of agree with Hyborialives. Neither Blade Ward and True Strike are actually good cantrips for melee gishes, you should look for Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade.
I also see some problems in the action economy. You should use a bonus action to activate your Bladesong in the first turn. You should usually cast (or even upcast) Shadow Blade as well, and that requires a bonus action. Ideally you would start getting use of your 6th level ability only in the 2-3 round of the combat.
I agree that a good solution for this is the same War Magic feature from Eldritch Knights. By emulating this, you could use any cantrip (Booming Blade is the best) and attack with your bonus action. However, we would still have issues with bonus action economy.
You are very welcome. Understand with the players: (A) if they want to be more “mage” and cast more spells or (B) if they want to be classic gishes fighting and using spells for support.
If it’s option A, try to emulate some Quicken effect from Sorcerer Metamagic, allowing them to cast spells with the main action and cantrips with the bonus action.
It it’s option B, I believe the War Magic feature from EK can fit their needs.
So, in light of the leaks from tasha’s Cauldron of everything, the 6th level change isn’t required. The change will make it so a cantrip can be cast in place of a single attack.
As for the 14th level feature I would consider allowing a melee weapon attack to be made as a bonus action after casting a spell of 1st level or higher with your action. On the same turn obviously.
Edit: alternatively you can keep the int mod damage and give an int bonus to attack rolls. Though, that might be too much.
oh, how about allowing them to ignore the negative effects of tenser’s transformation? The spell would be great without the loss of casting and the risk of exhaustion.
average turn under this effect: melee weapon attack for 1d8+dex mod weapon damage and 2d12 force damage, then bonus action for two weapon fighting, dealing1d8+dex mod weapon damage and 2d12 force damage. Forego extra attack for a green flame blade for 1d8+dex mod weapon damage, 2d12 force damage and up to 4d8 fire damage. Additional 4d8+int fire damage on 2nd creature within 5 ft.
Apologies if someone has already mentioned it but a while ago on another thread there was also the minor revelation that is using True Strike with the Warcaster feat to mark an opponent as they go past and set up advatange on your next roll so that might be a tactic worth using as well.
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Not sure if it's worth doing True Strike to give advantage on a single attack on your next turn, or just like... hit him. In the face. With booming blade, so now they are truly in a bad spot.
Advantage on 1 attack vs 2 attacks (AoO & next turn), the 2 attacks are almost always better.
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if I edit a message, most of the time it's because of grammar. The rest of the time I'll put "Edit:" at the bottom.
True Strike is of fairly limited usefulness. It's best when used before a fight actually begins, or when a rogue really needs to get rid of disadvantage to use their Sneak Attack. Blade Ward is fine...if you're expecting to be taking a lot of hits. It's a great choice for a tank EK once they get War Magic at 7th level. Ideally, a bladesinger tries to avoid being hit in the first place. The nice thing about their armor proficiency and bonus AC is they can actually afford to sacrifice a little Dexterity and attack with Strength-based weapons. They don't need to max both and limit themselves to a rapier, scimitar, or whip. There are more magical longswords than almost any other weapon.
Having said that, your 6th level homebrew might not be necessary. If the rumored leak of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything is true, then your player can cast a cantrip in place of one of their weapon attacks.
"[NEW] Extra Attack (p. 142). The following text has been added after the first sentence: 'Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks.'"
working up a variant for a player in my campaign. I have a player who proposed two changes to the wizard tradition. I'm looking for community feedback to help with my decision. I will state my game is based on point buy and no multiclassing. Without further delay here are the requested changes:
6th level - Blade Ward and True Strike can be cast as a bonus action while you are bladesinging (this feature would replace extra attack and have the player rely on their weapon cantrips)
14th level - as part of the attack action or while casting a blade cantrip you can expend a spell slot of upto 5th level and deal 1+spell slot d8 force damage while you are bladesinging (this replaces the +int to melee damage and would allow the player to play the gish character they are envisioning)
Lastly my group consists of a Bard, a Cleric, Druid, and this Wizard.
Thoughts, Suggestions?
My first thoughts on both of these changes are that both of them seem like really bad options. I'm not a giant class optimization expert by any means but it seems like you are giving up way to much with for what you are getting in return for the first option and potentially giving way too much with the 2nd.
I completely understand the desire to rely more on weapon cantrips for the bladesinger, but I don't think this is the way to go about it. it sounds like really what you are wanting to give them is a much worse version of War Magic but instead of getting a bonus attack whenever casting a cantrip, you forever lose your 2nd attack and can only use it with two specific cantrips. A bad trade in my opinion for just those two specific cantrips which I personally don't find all that impressive to begin with, especially True Strike. Why not just let them trade out the bladesinger level 6 option of a second attack for the Eldritch Knight 7th lvl "War Magic" feature? Personally I think they really should have given the bladesinger the level 7 Eldritch Knight "War Magic" Feature instead of the straight up second attack anyway and doesn't conflict with the Eldritch Knights additional attack gained at higher levels. It seems to me like using magic in conjunction with wielding a sword is much more of a wizard thing to do that just swinging a blade twice a round.
The 14th level ability basically gives your full caster wizard a slightly weaker version of the Paladin Smite ability as a subclass ability. Sure, each "Smite" would do slightly less damage but if you burned all your available spells at level 14 the wizard could smite 15 times before using their arcane recovery to regain another combined 7 levels of spells. I have not played a Bladesinger up to 14th level so I can't speak from experience, but I do think that just adding your Intelligence Modifier to your damage sounds pretty lackluster and it could use something yet.
Anyway, that's my two cents for what it's worth.
I kind of agree with Hyborialives. Neither Blade Ward and True Strike are actually good cantrips for melee gishes, you should look for Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade.
I also see some problems in the action economy. You should use a bonus action to activate your Bladesong in the first turn. You should usually cast (or even upcast) Shadow Blade as well, and that requires a bonus action. Ideally you would start getting use of your 6th level ability only in the 2-3 round of the combat.
I agree that a good solution for this is the same War Magic feature from Eldritch Knights. By emulating this, you could use any cantrip (Booming Blade is the best) and attack with your bonus action. However, we would still have issues with bonus action economy.
Thank you for your feedback, I will discuss some options with the player and see what their thoughts are
You are very welcome. Understand with the players: (A) if they want to be more “mage” and cast more spells or (B) if they want to be classic gishes fighting and using spells for support.
If it’s option A, try to emulate some Quicken effect from Sorcerer Metamagic, allowing them to cast spells with the main action and cantrips with the bonus action.
It it’s option B, I believe the War Magic feature from EK can fit their needs.
So, in light of the leaks from tasha’s Cauldron of everything, the 6th level change isn’t required. The change will make it so a cantrip can be cast in place of a single attack.
As for the 14th level feature I would consider allowing a melee weapon attack to be made as a bonus action after casting a spell of 1st level or higher with your action. On the same turn obviously.
Edit: alternatively you can keep the int mod damage and give an int bonus to attack rolls. Though, that might be too much.
oh, how about allowing them to ignore the negative effects of tenser’s transformation? The spell would be great without the loss of casting and the risk of exhaustion.
average turn under this effect: melee weapon attack for 1d8+dex mod weapon damage and 2d12 force damage, then bonus action for two weapon fighting, dealing1d8+dex mod weapon damage and 2d12 force damage. Forego extra attack for a green flame blade for 1d8+dex mod weapon damage, 2d12 force damage and up to 4d8 fire damage. Additional 4d8+int fire damage on 2nd creature within 5 ft.
grand total: 11d8+6d12+int mod+(3*dex mod)
Apologies if someone has already mentioned it but a while ago on another thread there was also the minor revelation that is using True Strike with the Warcaster feat to mark an opponent as they go past and set up advatange on your next roll so that might be a tactic worth using as well.
Not sure if it's worth doing True Strike to give advantage on a single attack on your next turn, or just like... hit him. In the face. With booming blade, so now they are truly in a bad spot.
Advantage on 1 attack vs 2 attacks (AoO & next turn), the 2 attacks are almost always better.
if I edit a message, most of the time it's because of grammar. The rest of the time I'll put "Edit:" at the bottom.
True Strike is of fairly limited usefulness. It's best when used before a fight actually begins, or when a rogue really needs to get rid of disadvantage to use their Sneak Attack. Blade Ward is fine...if you're expecting to be taking a lot of hits. It's a great choice for a tank EK once they get War Magic at 7th level. Ideally, a bladesinger tries to avoid being hit in the first place. The nice thing about their armor proficiency and bonus AC is they can actually afford to sacrifice a little Dexterity and attack with Strength-based weapons. They don't need to max both and limit themselves to a rapier, scimitar, or whip. There are more magical longswords than almost any other weapon.
Having said that, your 6th level homebrew might not be necessary. If the rumored leak of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything is true, then your player can cast a cantrip in place of one of their weapon attacks.
You might want to check out the errata for the bladesinger's extra attack.
https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/downloads/SCAG-Errata.pdf
"[NEW] Extra Attack (p. 142). The following text has been added after the first sentence: 'Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks.'"
So BB/GFB can't be twinned/distance anymore. Quicken is fine.
I noticed there's actually a lot of nerfs on that page. Mostly toward metamagic