Errata! Can't multi-class into Fighter without a 13 Dex (or Str)! One of two options: swap Dex and Con (ow my hp and Con saves/concentration checks!) or take a feat to pick up Archery fighting style after all. I love glass canons so... you know what I'll be doing ;)
Just in timeColby! Can't wait to see this combo! Seriously though, as someone with harsh relationship with my parents you saying I belong, as small as it seems, actually means a lot. Much love
Ahhh the next Bladesinger build! My brother in Bladesinging, this is truely an end of the year gift. Thanks for your hard work, and I can't wait to see all of your next builds in 2023!
Was thinking exactly that as he mentioned Fighter dip. I really think this might work better with 14 dex 10 con instead of the 10 dex 14 con. Armor class helps a lot in mitigating damage.
Yeah I was going to go back and check what the stats were. 15 int 15 charisma and 14con and 10 dex, meaning wisdom and str are 8. The fighter dip doesn't work here unless you swap the 14 con to 14 Dex and 10 con
For a oneshot later this week I made a 2 Warlock / 6 Wizard (rolled for stats) character called The Shadesinger. Took everything shadow-related (Shadow Blade, Armor of Shadows, Darkness) and reflavored everything that wasn't (Tasha's Hideous Laughter turning into the shadow of the target holding them to the ground). Sadly no Eldritch Blast shenanigans purely cause I like to build a non-Eldritch Blast Warlock whenever I can. Perfect timing for the video, definitely fun to see a different way of building it!
i really though that we would have a whip build today :( , 10 ft of spirit shroud, a weapon with the reach property so we wound't have disaventage when using eldritch blast and you only need one hand to attack with it so we wound't lose the bladesong effects (and you need to agree tha a bladesinger with a whip is SO STYLISH)
This is exactly my kind of build. I love flavouring spirit shroud as like a super sayain style evolution. Power starts to radiate from me in waves and i hit like a truck. So i will always vouch for that spell. And something that takes full advantage of this lovely spell is something I'll always get behind. That being said, I'm sure i speak for everyone when I saw we need a bladesinger 3.0 lol
27:06 this just keeps gettnig better. first a d&D fan, then an optimizer, then a Sanderson fan, AND NOW HAMILTON. thank you for all you do Colby, you have provided me with so much entertainment its crazy. thank you thank you thank you!
I think it's so cool how you put out so much content for us, not just the builds! You make spreadsheets, tier rankings, cheat sheets, written step by step stuff... You're amazing, and you belong in my list of favorite D&D content creators! ❤️ Also, Blood Hunter and Bladesinger can lead to crazy and synergistic combos, especially with the Mutant subclass and Profane Soul. With Profane Soul and Eldritch Adept, you could make an int/wis based eldritch blast build! That's awesome!
Aw those final thoughts felt so genuine. I hope you have a really wonderful holiday connecting with the people in your life who matter most, and thank you for your kind, warm, and gentle demeanor while giving all of us better ways to destroy monsters.
this is the show where each season we take a deep dive into one sometimes two specific blade singer builds :) love your work also the not blade and not singer builds :)
Happy Holidays, always happy to see another build in my sub box! By the way, in the first sentence of the description there's a typo in Warlock (Warlcok) Early happy new year, everyone
My favorite thing about this build has to be the image it creates. The way I envision it, each eldritch blast is a new crossbow bolt that manifests itself in the slot and fires; if you manage to get your hands on a pistol, you’ve suddenly turned your silly little flintlock into an arcane minigun.
This is exactly what I’m going for on my next campaign :D Why even use a bow when you can enchant the arrows themselves? I’m imagining a character who pulls out a bolt, fills it with magic, and sends it flying toward enemies. All of the bolts and blasts are flavored that way (despite having different rolls and damage types). Why not?
I really didn't think this was going to work -- but it really did! Thinking of the play style, it makes me think of the Demon Hunter, especially with the intro you gave to the character.
Yaaaasssss!!!! With all the hex blades and blade singers you've made I've been waiting for this video!!!! Don't sell yourself short you are a delight to watch and even more so to listen to; note: I listen to your videos while I'm driving I promise I'm not watching just listening.
Had a mostly bladesinger multiclass in a level 20 one shot which was fun. Bladesinger 18, Hexblade 2. Half Elf with elven accuracy, use your 9th level to cast foresight on yourself. Use the Sword of Zariel as your main weapon to set CHA to 20, use Illusionist bracers to cast booming blade as part of singers' extra attack and as your bonus action. Eldritch Blast if something is too far away. Take misty step as your spell mastery at level 18 Wizard and you can bamf and fly all around the battlefield locking your enemies into position and dealing massive damage.
I mean animating a bunch of alchemist fires really makes that animate objects spell something lovely. Go ahead and break all those alchemist fires that are jumping you. BOOM! Well that must’ve hurts
A wonderful video to end the year off strong. Much love and see you next year. For thematic reasons, Warlock three would allow you to ( pack of the blade ) allow you to summon your weapon on a whim. Who does not love the idea of your weapon just teleporting or being summoned into your hand? Anyway, loved the video.
I just thought of a neat build challenge: Witch Bolt is often seen as a suboptimal spell to take due to it being so easy to escape the bolt by simply walking out of range. Find a way (through grappling, booming blade, etc.) to make it impossible or very ill advised to leave the area, making Witch Bolt more effective. Could require a lot of quickened spell, or if it's possible to grapple someone as a bonus action, that could work too. I just want to see Witch Bolt become useful.
Witch bolt is bad because it eats your concentration and action every turn for a singular damage die, and if you use your action to do anything else it ends. Its only real use is if you really need to stretch a spell slot, which is rare and normally if you need that level of sustainability you'd just play a martial. If you really wanted to make it better, you'd probably want to twin it and then just stand 35+ feet away from the targets as much as possible.
I feel like with almost every video you make, I learn something new about the game that I never would've thought of. In this case, I didn't know that you didn't have to use a melee weapon to have bladesong up (I mean, it's called "BLADEsong" so you would think that melee is a must." In any case, great way to end off 2022 and another great video as always, gracing us with your bladesinger builds. Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
I did a build similar to this, but went with Eldritch Adept as my first level feat to begin the game with Agonizing Blast, then six levels of Wizard, and then multiclassed out into *sorcerer* so I could do Eldritch Blast, then step in and attack, and then quicken something like a booming blade or any other damaging spell. It was squishy but it hit like an absolute beast.
This has gotta be the next build I make! It's exactly the gish I've been looking for and while it might be better as a rolled stats character than a point-buy, it's still a very cool build
you are by far the EASIEST person to listen to. I am binge watching your videos while doing other things, your voice is oddly relaxing and very zen to listen to.
I absolutely love my blade singer fighter build. One of my favorite combinations is to do mind sliver as part of my attack action and then action surge and cast a saving throw spell that I want to land.
Hope you had a good year! Love the content. Your editing and jokes are great. I'd love to see more. you have a really fun personality while still being incredibly kind & respectful. Thank you!
Thanks Colby I always look forward to your videos! I just had a blast playing the abjuration tank last night and it was one of my favorite characters ever!
I love this combo. When I built one I started fighter, so I could wear heavy armor and dumped int to 13, and didn't even bother using bladesong. At level 9 it was a fighter 1, hexblade 2, bladesinger 6. After that you could go one of two directions: Fighter 2, Hexblade 12, Bladesinger 6 gives action surge and lifedrinker, along with eldritch smite for big burst damage on crits. Concentration used on Shadow of Moil for the most part. Fighter 1, Hexblade 2, Bladesinger 17 gives access to the Foresight spell for permanent advantage on attacks and saves and disadvantage for enemy attacks. Concentration used on Spirit Shroud.
In the right setting with the right DM, I could see this build where you reflavour the hand crossbow to be some kind of arcane pistol and reflavoring eldritch blast as magical shots. Now you are an eldritch gunslinger that unleashes a ton of magic-fueled shots every turn!
Just came up with an alt character (level 10) for a current campaign. 6 bladesinger/4 hexblade with crossbow expert and sharpshooter. Decided to just skip bladesong all together and focus on medium armor and all wizard spells are buff or utility based. Fits in with the backstory of a regular blade singer that got stuck in the shadow fell and over time he went mad (chaotic neutral) and forgot how to use the bladesong ability. Grab agonizing blast and repelling blast. Surrounded in melee, push three away, then attack two more times. ☺️
Awesome!! I've been looking for an effective way to combine Hexblade with Bladesinging. Thanks for figuring it out for me :D Happy New Year and enjoy your Vegas vacay!!
This is such a cool build! I love the idea of mixing two subclasses that everyone always argues between for "who's the best" in order to say "por que no los dos?" Week 3 of asking for a build that focuses on an uncommon damage type like acid, psychic, etc. (in the same vein as the frost mage or the pyromancer).
I called it! Though I didn't realize that you didn't need Improved Pact weapon for a Hand Crossbow! I had to look it up to make sure, but yeah you only need Improved Pact Weapon for Short Bow, Long Bow, Light Crossbow and Heavy Crossbow
A couple of things I didn't understand: The Archery style only works with attacks using ranged weapons, so it can't be used for Eldritch Blast. The Sharpshooter feat specifies ranged weapons, so it can't be used with Eldritch Blast. You grab those and it sounds like you are expecting them to work on Eldritch Blast. On the other hand, Crossbow Expert would allow you to make Eldritch Blast attacks from melee range, since it doesn't specify weapon attacks.
How did you find the Aasimar Hexadin?!?! This is the exact build I want to play. I thought of going fallen Aasimar with 7th level conquest Oath. My only issue is race choices… eleven accuracy is very tempting as well as V human… What are your thoughts??
Alternative build Idea: Instead of using the hand xbow for attacks use Magic Stone. That frees up not only rhe choice of warlock patron but also 2 feats as you no longer need Xbow Xpert or Sharpshooter. You could also use Haste for concentration instead of Spirit Shroud. I think the extra blasts would net you more damage. Lastly, after 8 levels in Bladesinger & 4 in Warlock, you could go for Sorcerer levels. that would net you metamagic for quicken spell for more & better bursts of damage.
The build is really powerful, but the fact that you have to stand within 10 feet of the enemy to use Spirit Shroud is troubling considering how flimsy the character is. Would be epic to see them attacking faster than even a fighter (on non-action surge rounds) while the monk cries in his green tea. XD
I joined an incredibly generous 12th level campaign that let me start with a headband of intellect, a +1 grimoire and a STAFF OF POWER. Adapted this build to melee. The goal is to grasp of Hadar them into range, reaction attack from PAM, regular attack and BA butt attack, all while concentrating on Wall of Force or something. I also rolled 2 15s and a 16 on stats so with the headband I've got 18 cha, 19(13) int, 16 con and 16 dex along with ELVEN ACCURACY. This is my dream character.
This is an awesome simple to play build. My wife has been playing a cheese grater but she wants something different for our next campaign and i think this is it. Also i apoligize. I am pretty sure that i am guilty of calling you cody. I could blame on too much tales of aneria, my dyslexia, fat fingers, or a stupid autocorrect that is often set to portuguese so it doesnt know what i am saying but the most truthful reason is that i am lousy to remeber names and i got it wrong and until someone calls me on it i dont realize it, so thank you and ill try to get it right in the future.😊
I know you don't make your builds with Magic Items in mind. They aren't something you can guarantee everyone will get. But, just imagine this character with Illusionist Bracers from the GGtR
Hey, Colby! Looking forward to the build. I have a hilarious one shot build that uses those subclasses I bet y'all'd enjoy: Horizon Walker 11/Bladesinger 6/Hexblade 2 It's super MAD and underpowered compared to a full caster of course, BUT the mobility is off the (pact of the?) chain since it squeezes teleports out of each Eldritch Blast beam 🙂
For anyone wanting to play a ranged Bladesinger; if your DM allows Blood Hunter, a 3 lvl dip in Profane Soul gives you access to EB that uses INT and just grab the Eldritch Adept feat and choose INT for spellcasting ability (see the errata). Take Archery Fighting Style and use a Hand Crossbow.
Hi Colby I stumbled upon you and your channel from your collab with Mr. DnD shorts an when you explained what your channel was about in the collab, I knew this would be my home. I clicked this on as your first video. I'm 10 mins in and I wanted to wait until the end to comment, But I can't hold it in any longer, I'm doing this, however, I opted to also splash paladin. I'll be using a longsword as it is versatile, not a 2 handed weapon. I'm also throwing 3 levels of paladin in this. Meaning I can use divine smite, Which I'll be stacking with eldritch smite after 5 warlock, super juicing the one mellee strike. Additionally, the bonus action on oath of vengeance paladin to give advantage for one full minute, in addition to having the elven accuracy feat from being a legacy eladrin, in addition to seeking spell and empowered spell.. It may not be as optimized for one specific thing, and when I So, now I'm following up with that mellee attack in close range, well, Crossbow expert can be collected to make that ranged attack without imposing disadvantage. a 3 level dip in sorcerer allows me all the metamagic options my hearts desires, using quickened spell for a follow up eldritch blast. It takes a long time to get off the ground, a big thing to consider. Much later than 7. Would love to discuss the build with you either in private or for a future video. Looking forward to watching the rest of (and all of) your videos and learning more about DnD
Been toying with customizing this build and one thing to note is the hex spell still gives an extra 1d6 per attack (vs, spirit shrouds 1d8), however, it can be cast from range vs being within ten feet of an enemy AND gives disadvantage on a ability check you pick. This could combo really well with following up the next round with something like fireball that requires a dex save….
Half elf Battle Smith (3) Bladesinger (17) Perma flanking with pet gives tripple advantage. Spirit shroud applies to pets attacks as they use your spell attack. Could rely on mind sharpener and never bladesing, stick to medium armor(+1) and shield. (20ac with 14 dex)
This is one of those builds that can really sings if you can guarantee a magic item like the headband of intellect. Then you would only need the 13 in int and you could save those points for Dex or Con.
When you posted the preview, I was thinking: "huh, he really did not do a Hexsinger before, really? That's gonna be interesting." And it is! Man, potent build! As some have pointed out: you need higher Dex or Str for the Fighter dip. Would probably lower Intelligence to 13 for Dex 14. Just skip the save-or-suck spells. There's still lots of good spells that don't require a high casting stat. And lastly: have fun in Vegas and start smoothly into the New Year!
For characters who need a bit of setup to really get going, the Ready action is your best friend. With my barbarian, I typically take the Ready action before entering a room to use Rage if there’s something nasty in there.
