Bladesinger

[KittyPryde]

So what's the "best" way to get a "good" starting bladesinger?

I have gone 5 levels of fighter and now my 1st level of wizard to get all the skills and feats. Should I cut right over to Bladesinger when I level next or build up a little more? What advantages are there to doing it now? To Waiting?

TY!

Kitty

[chad878262]

Fighter levels aren't a great way to get bladesinger. W10/BS10/EK10 gets BAB25 and CL29 and is objectively the best overall. If you want Fighter, you're better off stopping at 4 and going F4/W6/EK10/BS10 for BAB 27, CL25. You do slightly more damage per swing, but your DC's are lower, you're going to be frustrated by Greater Dispel and in the end it's just not worth it in epics IMO. If you want a bit lower CL you're better off with a rapier going SB5/W5/BS10/EK10 which is CL24, but double INT to damage, so if you hit 28 INT (32 with fox cunning) you have +5 AC, decent DC's and +22 damage per hit with your rapier. Better than anything you can get out of taking fighter levels.

That said, a longsword W10/BS10/EK10 with 14 STR/DEX (both 18 after wards) and 28 INT (32) is only going to do about ~10-15 less damage per swing, which seems like a lot and it is, but you will do more damage with cloud spells and have no worries over dispels.

Now, obviously play what you want, but you asked for the 'best' way... Also, to answer your question, Bladesinger doesn't truly become a bladesinger (able to wear light armor) until you get all 10 levels, so you want all 10 ASAP. However, if you are aiming for the best end result you want to mix BS levels in up until 27 so you can get 30 tumble without paying double points on too many levels.

[Steve]

Greater Dispel on mobs has been so greatly disabled across the Server, that CL 25 is doable. Sure, You WILL get dispelled now and then, but you prepare with scrolls, potions and collecting Spell Bonus items (some gear with Use Per Day helps as well).

M3nt has convinced me of this!

[chad878262]

Depends Steve, there are areas that are no-no with lower caster level, including Serpent Hills and Vault of the Dead. If you avoid those two and the Netherese Maze you're mostly looking at only occasional dispels and mords from bosses. I personally play a CL24 character and a CL25, though that one has HiPS. However, for a new player it is important to consider going in what you consider acceptable. If you are going to avoid some areas unless in a group or accept your bladesinger using few buffs in those area's (equip as a standard fighter with epic gear) then it's not an issue. However, if you are going for CL25 or less and then expect to be able to solo everywhere then you will be disappointed.

It should also be considered if you are leveling up from 1-30 that throughout the entire leveling process dispels are going to be very annoying. Lesser dispel goes up to +5 so you aren't 'immune' until you hit CL15. Dispel caps at +15 so you aren't 'immune' until 25. So if your a CL25 caster who is CL~9 at level 15, for example then you're likely going to get frustrated in CR appropriate areas.

[Steve]

However, if you are going for CL25 or less and then expect to be able to solo everywhere then you will be disappointed.

It SHOULD be a disappointment to everyone, when trying to solo any area! But I guess that is just a dream that won't really ever get fulfilled....

Anyway, the low CL issue during leveling isn't really an issue, because if it was, then UMD would be practically useless these days.

There are plenty of Areas without a single Dispel being thrown out. You can easily grind level your way up by avoiding those Areas.

[chad878262]

It SHOULD be a disappointment to everyone, when trying to solo any area! But I guess that is just a dream that won't really ever get fulfilled....

I agree, and I do hope to someday make it so, but that is not this day mate.

Anyway, the low CL issue during leveling isn't really an issue, because if it was, then UMD would be practically useless these days.

There are plenty of Areas without a single Dispel being thrown out. You can easily grind level your way up by avoiding those Areas.

All this is true, but of little help to a new player that doesn't know which areas....which is part of the fun of being a new player.

[Steve]

For a newb, yeah, it could appear frustrating to navigate the Server with a low CL.

But the OP poster is from 2016...not the newest kid on the block I'd imagine!

[KittyPryde]

It is so nice of you all to offer your advice like this!

Ok, given that I have already taken the 5 levels in Fighter, and got my 1st level of Wiz by the time this was all posted...what would be the best way to build from here? Or should I highly consider an RCR while it's on? I rather like the way the RP has worked for her with the story and this build so far and changes could be made to the character I suppose without sacrificing the story so far. But further thoughts?

I mean if fighter isn't the best (though the Bladesinger description says...) Is it possible to build her into a "tanky" Bladesinger that would be a viable frontgirl?

Just asking...

[chad878262]

RCR is always free up to level 10 specifically because as a server we are aware that there is quite a bit to learn. There are differences between PnP and vanilla NWN2 that can't really be understood until you start playing.

If you really want Fighter in your build, I would recommend RCR'ing and going F4/W6/BS10/EK10. CL will be 25 so there are a couple of area's that you will either avoid as you level, go with a group or maybe get a bit frustrated with, but overall it won't be terrible. If you are looking for a straight up Fighter with only a little spell casting you could go F12/W8/EK10 which would have CL17 (21 after practiced caster) and more Fighter goodies. However, if you replace Eldritch Knight with Bladesinger you will only have CL 14, 18 after PSC which means only level 7 spells and GMW only gives +4 EB, not +5.

End of the day you should build what you want, especially if you aren't going solo much you can play with a far less than optimized build and do just fine. Being happy with your character and your RP is all that matters in the end.

[mrm3ntalist]

CL26 builds are playable but you have to be prepared accordingly.

- You cant expect to rely 100% on your buffs when you can be dispelled. For that reason, have items with AC bonus on instead on relying on your IMA, Shadowshield etc
- Have 2nd and 3rd castings of your buffs available. For that reason sorcs make better low cl gishes
- Ward when necessary and use scrolls,potions, wands

I play a Sorc6/DragonDisciple10/EK4/Bladesinger10 ( with starting CHA 14 ) and so far so good. The CL is 26 but it works.

[chad878262]

Ouch, that AB though... 22 (BAB) + 5 (GMW) + 4 (GH) =31... Are you still maxing INT for AC/Damage or going full STR? I have to assume STR so you can get your AB closer to 40. Kudos for uniqueness, but still having a difficult time comparing it favorably to W10/EK10/BS10. The stat boosts do help, so you can get some benefit of AC from INT while still reaching ~24 or 26 STR. I can't see any other way it works as a Bladesinger.

The benefit of Wizard is of course that you can get decent DCs while piling up the extra AC and hitting solid damage numbers. Even with 10/10/10 split and 25 BAB you can hit 40 AB with a mere 14 STR. Wondering how the Bladesinger Sorc gish compares to a more 'standard' S6/BG4/EK10/DD10 which still has CL26, but gets EDM and divine shield without any reliance on INT for AC since you get it when needed from CHA as well as being able to wear MFP.

I'm not slamming your build M3nt, I'm genuinely curious as to how it plays and where you are taking the build with regard to stats... Knowing you I'm sure it does just fine, but tough to see it as being as good as a wizard based bladesinger or an EDM/Divine Shield Sorc.

[mrm3ntalist]

Maxing STR. The AB is more than fine. More STR points to invest from boot, because of the CHA14, +2STR from DD and then put everything on STR. NH on top of everything and it works fine.