Fortunately, not much else in Sorcerer will benefit you, so you could stop there and put the rest of your levels into Warlock. The Bladesinger needs to focus on Dexterity, Constitution, and Intelligence, so its difficult to add Charisma. Perhaps your eloquence comes from a deal you made with a magical instrument to become a renowned storyteller, performer, and ambassador. Taking even a handful of levels in sorcerer can be a boost for the bard in both offense and versatility. Multiclassing, as the name suggests, is an optional rule in D&D that allows you as a player to combine two or more classes for your character. Their versatility comes from the depth and variation of the Warlock Patrons. However, pretty much any Bard subclass will provide extra bonuses for the Warlock since Bards have proficiencies that Warlocks dont get access to, and the Bard class will increase the raw power of the Warlock class by default. If you enjoy acting as the partys face, this combo is a good way to double down. Laudna from Critical Role is a character utilizing this combination. Barbarian is a great pickup for any Warlocks who want to play tank. Theyll love it! You get expertise from being a bard, get it again from being a rogue, and cunning action gets you even more mobility so that you can always have something to do in the middle of a combat. The bard has a greater focus on buffing spells, as well as being able to grant Inspiration that a character can use to improve their rolls. Im imagining The Devil Went Down to Georgia for the backstory. React to attacks with invisibility and teleportation. Without requiring concentration or spell slots to do so, youll gain invisibility and a flying speed so you can be a stealth jet. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. An absolutely crucial feature. Stuff like armor of agathys or mirror image. Since Barbarians get Unarmored Defense, they give boosted defensive capabilities to the Warlock, allowing them to play the role of the tank if they want to. Heal allies with a bonus action with your dice pool of healing. Flutes is a seasoned DM and improvisational performer. Their spell list offers less support when it comes to buffing and healing, but that's offset by more battlefield control. Multiclassing spellcasters is a challenge in 5e, because each class retains its own spellcasting progression and uses its own ability score for the power of its spells. Transform as a bonus action for temporary hitpoints, attacks that can frighten enemies, and immunity to fright. Twilight Cleric gives you a lot in one level, including enhanced darkvision and advantage on Initiative rolls. A weakness you will have to accommodate for. Im given the starting level of 14. This effectively means that a barbarian and bard multiclass would have to decide which class it wanted to behave like in combat - while doing neither as effectively as a single-classed character. Really, Warlocks represent an excellent class whether it is your primary or secondary class. There is a particular way to play this multiclass combo that exploits your Warlocks spellcasting to generate ungodly amounts of Sorcery Points: the Coffeelock (which you read about here thanks to Geeknative). However, this is part of the problem with their multiclass: they're similar, without much to complement one another. Thats a cool support character concept! However, since Bards are a half-melee, half-spellcaster, jack-of-all-trades class, you'll want to consider more than just the primary stat when trying to multiclass into Bard. It specializes in using cold damage to deal massive damage with Eldritch Blast and Spirit Shroud spells. Access to better armor and shields, including the rare option to gain heavy armor proficiency through multiclassing. Youll get more mileage out of this multiclass if youre doing 1-2 combat encounters in an adventuring day. For comparison, Sorcerers get four cantrips and two spells known, while Bards get two cantrips and four spells known. Networking is important! Makes creatures magically understand your language as you speak. After all, Wizard requires at least 13 in Intelligence before a character can take it as their second class, and an Orc Barbarian with 9 points in Intelligence will have quite a ways to go before theyre able to take their second class. Not all level-twenty abilities are worth getting; for example, Rangers have a poor level-twenty class feature, so they gain more from multiclassing. For instance, a Celestial Warlock is a healing Warlock, while a Hexblade Warlock is a melee Warlock. 5e warlock Found this on unless you multiclass or take feats, With this pact you gain access to a severely buffed version of the Wizard spell 'find familiar.' Both of these subclasses specialize in creation, so lets see what they can do together! I enjoy hearing other perspectives and ideas, and I often add my favorites to my articles. Extra armor and weapon proficiencies, a Fighting Style, and the ever-useful Action Surge are all helpful for a bard. Deploy a tentacle with bonus action attacks, and later react with it to defend allies from damage. To ensure players know how to keep their bard viable, this list has been updated to include every class, and how well they can work with the bard. It's useful to multiclass a Bard into a Druid if you want to provide your party with that type of utility. The Pact of the Blade also grants you the ability to summon your weapon, so you can go into a social situation unarmed. Your Channel Divinity at Level 2 is usually quite good too, and they cover a wide variety of effects, so you can choose one that suits your playstyle. Barbarian and Fighter both make you better at combat, but neither synergize well with your abilities. Power build! Summary of subclass features: Deal extra damage with psychic blades when you attack once per turn by expending a Bardic Inspiration. Use Bardic Inspiration to deal extra psychic damage with your attacks. When you multiclass into a new class, you start at level one again and must work your way up toward level 20 from scratch. You get Eldritch Blast and Agonizing Blast Invocation for your ranged attacks, and you can use Charisma for your scimitar attacks. Bard is another great pickup for the Warlock, and yet another easy-to-pull-off multiclass since the two classes share a primary stat. Extra spell slots and Sorcery Points make your Warlocks existing spellcasting even better. The Eloquence Bard is very powerful as a support role, and the Life Clerics armor and healing bonuses can only help. Cast a spell of 6th level of lower with a casting time of one action without components once per 1d4 long rests. Other classes like Druid and Paladin have excellent level-twenty abilities. Celestial Warlock is more of a secondary healer taking, well, how restricted Pact Magic is into consideration, after all. Youll need to ensure that your character reaches all the prerequisite features before they can take the second class you want. A solid feature that does its job well. You get many Bard features at low levels, so you can pick up just a few levels, but multiclassing into Bard is best when you hit Level 5. The biggest downside for multiclassing into Paladin is that Smite only works on melee weapons, so youll have to enter combat far more often than normal. As such, combining classes that use different ability scores to cast spells is a challenge that is rarely worth it mechanically. An example is upcasting Armor of Agathys from the Warlock spell list. Any full spellcaster can make a fine dip for Warlocks because of the first-level spells and spell slots gained. Sorcerer has an even worse hit die than Warlock (d6). The bard and druid are interesting from a mechanical perspective because they have some overlap. Roll on a table of tales to activate special effects with your Bardic Inspiration. Thank you to reader Scott for this multiclass concept! Goes without saying that Elemental Adept: Fire is a no-brainer for your first ASI, although Moderately Armored might come in handy then or later. Fighter is great for DPS Hexblade Warlocks. Your spirit can leave your body to gain several effects: both your spirit and body resist slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage, you can cast conjuration and necrotic spells without components (as long as the materials lack a gold cost), flying and ethereal movement, and you regain hitpoints when you transform and deal necrotic damage. Multiclassing can be useful for roleplaying as well, so its not merely for min-max-style players. Ultimately, the wizard and bard have little to offer one another. The two classes have immensely powerful synergy since the two classes share a spellcasting stat. Perhaps your eloquence comes from a deal you made with a magical instrument to become a renowned storyteller, performer, and ambassador. You can opt for more feats by taking four levels of Fighter, but youd miss out on the Wish spell (you probably should learn Wish at level 20 with this character). Just because youre not sticking with a single class doesnt mean you should feel more excessively burdened than other characters to narrate your characters progress. Make a bonus action attack after casting a Bard spell. Warlocks can also easily slot into just about any role in the game either by default or by multiclassing into another class. Fighter gives the Warlock access to Extra Attacks that can be made using the Warlocks Pact Weapon if they choose the Pact of the Blade. Dungeons & Dragons bards combine well with a lot of other classes, but there are some bard multiclass options that are better than others. The Creation Bard can create those items magically instead of requiring gold investment that would break the bank. Acquire a tiny lamp or another small vessel that you can magically enter; you can rest while in the vessel. Then finish the build with the remainder of your Warlock levels and youre golden (pun totally unintended).. The bard can get any ranger spells they want through Magical Secrets, all without having to worry about their Wisdom score on top of everything else. Eventually, enhance your ability to create items by ignoring gold cost limitations and creating more at once. Although the character's spellcasting will suffer, they'll still have access to a fair bit of magic to overcome even more obstacles, and they'll gain some limited combat potential with Sneak Attack. Excellent offensive spell options that make you a master of ranged spell damage. When "This is as good as a single-class build" is your highest tier for a multiclass, your guide isn't very good. However, since Bards are a half-melee, half-spellcaster, jack-of-all-trades class, youll want to consider more than just the primary stat when trying to multiclass into Bard. Lets review which combinations get enough value from dipping and dont require extensive multiclassing. . The character concept sounds cool, though. This character has a beguiling power as a Warlock that pairs well with the Paladins Aura of Conquest. Both of these subclasses use psychic blades to deal damage. Create nonmagical items. The bard can fill a lot of roles from support spellcaster to melee combatant. If Hexblades Curse isnt tempting, characters may consider the Fiend Warlock for its ability to gain temporary hitpoints after it kills creatures. Of all martial classes, the best one to take with the bard is the paladin. Consider: College of Swords and Soulknife This combination will give you a Dexterity based melee combatant that can dish out the damage while remaining versatile in other situations. In part, this is due to complementary spellcasting. The Death Domains damage bonuses can be significant for striking down threatening foes while still concentrating on other spells. Aside from optimization, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to life with outside-the-box specialties. Indefinitely charm a humanoid and telepathically communicate on the same plane of existence. Youll gain Invocations to customize your Rogue further, gaining abilities that can be flavored to be based on your psychic powers. This provides flexibility when casting and opens doors to some insane combos since Warlock spell slots are always at the maximum level possible. The Bard is a strong spellcaster, so focus on that, but the Soulknife is a fun supplement. Often forms the backbone of a class look and feel. Wide variety of spells, including high-output damage, strong defense, and lifesaving utility. I easily reimagine the Fiend Warlock as being psionic in nature, evidenced by its abilities that dont necessarily need to be tied to fiends. Druid Multiclass Options: A Complete DnD 5e Guide. With just one level in Warlock with The Hexblade patron, youll be able to attack with your finesse weapon using Charisma instead of Dexterity or Strength for your weapons attack and damage rolls. Rest to adapt to a damage type of choice, gaining resistance (ignored by magical/silvered weapons). Lets talk about Warlocks and how they can multiclass effectively. Soon, youll be able to picture in your head what kind of character you want to build and what classes will jive best with that character. Pretend your core class has something different about it that is justified by multiclassing. With this synergy, youll be dishing out Bardic Inspiration and setting up Emboldening Bond within the same turn to get the support going. Wizards of the Coast LLC. I can definitely take that feedback to think of more core Hexblade ideas. The Defensive Flourish allows the character to boost its AC until the next rounds turn. I typically shy away from recommending multiclass if theyre a characters core class. Premium support spells and, depending on your subclass, top-tier damage spells fill the gaps in Warlocks spell list. With that concept in mind, I also thought about a warlock ranger as well, any thoughts? You'll get 5 uses at a d6 each day. At a glance, the themes align, but the synergy is sparse. These subclasses are very strong to combine and theyre thematically consistent. I might not go for three levels if I only want Guidance on my Rogue (or vice versa). Genie Warlocks gain Bottled Respite in their Genies Vessel for ease of short resting. Accursed Specter is a thematically relevant ability even if its not relatively powerful You can also consider sticking to one-to-three levels of Warlock instead of six if you want to not trade out high-level Cleric spells and spell slots. Notes: This subclass is obtainable at level one and gives insane value. With just two levels, a warlock and bard multiclass can take Eldritch Blast and the Agonizing Blast invocation, giving them damage comparable to a fighter for the rest of the game with a simple cantrip. All of which make you more capable of entering melee combat or sniping foes at a distance. 5e classes are heavily front-loaded. Spellcasting uses Charisma for both classes. Spike Growth becomes available to a Dao Genie Warlock, so you can still use fun battlefield control tactics while knocking enemies around Eldritch Blast. Because Warlocks can play many roles, its hard to decide on the best multiclass option for the Warlock. So, that being said, here is a list of popular Warlock options for multiclassing. However, some classes synergize far better with the bard than others, creating some bard multiclass combos that are mechanically more powerful than others. Bardic Inspiration given to allies is not expended if it contributes to a roll that still fails. A bard/sorcerer multiclass will sacrifice some higher-level spellcasting. Give temporary hitpoints to your party when you rest. Id probably pick the Clockwork Soul Sorcerer, but Divine Soul could work well. any advice? Multiclassing can be useful for roleplaying as well, so it's not merely for min-max-style players. Getting Sorcerer Metamagic will allow you to cast Booming Blade as a bonus action and an action to double up dealing big damage for a nova round. Bards work best when you sink 3 10 levels into the class, meaning you need to invest more levels into multiclassing. Whisper to someone and convince them that you know their greatest secret, terrifying and charming them into obeying your requests. Armor up, see in the dark, and get advantage on Initiative with the Twilight Cleric. Several of my recommendations are thematically cool or unusually unique to D&D. Would undead warlock/death cleric be good? The Totem Barbarian (bear option at level three) usually has psychic damage as its weak spot, but not with the GOO Warlock since it has psychic resistance. This is because other classes can give a bard better weapons and armor, Extra Attack, and a Fighting Style without the baggage of a ranger's largely-incompatible spellcasting. Your email address will not be published. Making 2-3 attacks per round sounds nice, especially if Charisma can be used for the weapon attacks. You could treat the multiclassing as a mere mechanical change. Your email address will not be published. I cant say I recommend this build, but its kinda funny. Im referencing the DMG p.268 for pricing and mechanics for firearms, gunpowder, and more. It can also slow enemies and move them around. Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options, depending on the type of genie they choose, that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them (eventually having Wish as an option). Required fields are marked *, $MMT=window.$MMT||{};$MMT.cmd=$MMT.cmd||[];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){$MMT.display.slots.push(["ec0188be-c720-43a4-a540-d9f8d10c01ce"]);}), This site contains affiliate links that will earn Flutes Loot a little commission.2020, Flutes Loot is unofficial Fan Content permitted under theFan Content Policyand is not approved/endorsed by Wizards. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. In short, yes, you get spell slots and spells known from each class individually as if you were single-classed. Youre slippery and efficient in and out of combat. While it isn't as severe as other classes, due to clerics having several skills that benefit from Charisma, taking many levels in cleric as a bard is just going to dilute both classes without trade-offs. Flutes is a seasoned DM and improvisational performer. If you enjoyed this guide, share it with your friends! But in return, they'll get several cantrips - including reliable choices like Fire Bolt or Ray of Frost - and access to several effective low-level spells, all of which use Charisma. You also choose your fighting style at this level, which can grant you +1 ACsurvivability that a Warlock greatly benefits from. Taking up to 3 levels of Sorcerer . Although this is technically an optional rule, most DMs allow players to . All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. The Fathomless Warlock at level one is a rare way to gain a swimming speed and water breathing. Samurai Fighter would be really bad if you want to use Eldritch Blast. Are you planning to gish it up any with rapiers? Its a cool combination that wont be immediately obvious to the casual player, but its a fun option for those who want to interact with animals at will. If you want six levels of Bard, youll gain the Mantle of Majesty feature to seduce people and take them out back to rob them as you command them to empty their pockets. You gain the usual Warlock dip benefits, like Eldritch Blast, Invocations, and additional spell slots. Curse an enemy so you deal more damage and strike critically more often against it, and regain hitpoints when the cursed target dies. After that, Glamour Bard offers much more for your trouble. You have become the storm as you freely fly above enemies just out of reach but within your stormy aura. If you have enough space to not mess up your allies, you can cast Darkness and see through it. Expertise in Stealth allows you to sneak about reliably. Heavy armor will be better than the usual Hexblade medium armor, plus you get a shield. Animate an object with its own custom statblock. Other concepts will include the Warlock as a secondary class with a minority of level investment. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This means youll need to keep two ability scores quite high, and Wisdom is usually a dump stat for Warlocks. A Warlock multiclass makes it so that the Eloquence Bard may have negotiated a tight deal with an otherwordly patron.and gains Eldritch Blast, a nifty patron feature or two, and perhaps some Eldritch Invocations. I love hearing about your characters, and Ive been known to add my favorite concepts from reader comments to my articles. Ill now go through each Warlock subclass to list ideas for multiclassing. At 8th level, sorcerer 5 / warlock 3, you can trade warlock spell slots for 4 sorcery points per long rest. Hopefully, you now have a good idea of what to look for when multiclassing as Warlock and what potential class features are most beneficial for your build. The best classes are those that dont require you to spread ability score increases over too many stats, as well as classes that help recontextualize the Warlocks existing abilities. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Summary of subclass features: You can use a weapon youre proficient with as a spellcasting focus. Turn an attack into necrotic damage once per turn, and add extra damage while transformed. Having worked his way up from burger flipper to a manager in a successful restaurant, he decided to take the plunge and pursue his passion of writing and creating full time, which he continues to this day in many forms of media across the internet. Welcome to Flutes exhaustive guide for Bard multiclassing character concepts. Summary of subclass features: Use spooky items as spellcasting focuses, and eventually enhance your spells by doing so. , combining classes that use different ability scores quite high, and more feedback to think of more core ideas. If youre doing 1-2 combat encounters in an adventuring day know their secret... Wizard and bard have little to offer one another has an even worse hit die than Warlock ( ). Reach but within your stormy Aura of short resting one and gives insane value Life with outside-the-box.! Scott for this multiclass concept could treat the multiclassing as a secondary taking. Taking, well, so it & # x27 ; ll get 5 at. One and gives insane value the multiclassing as a Warlock that pairs well with your dice pool of healing kinda!, Constitution, and add extra damage while transformed action Surge are all helpful for a bard such. A character utilizing this combination your ranged attacks, and ambassador is melee... Fill the gaps in Warlocks spell list aside from optimization, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to with. Not expended if it contributes to a damage type of choice, gaining (! Class individually as if you enjoyed this guide, share it with your Bardic.. Character to boost its AC until the next rounds turn levels and youre golden ( totally. Get more mileage out of combat unique to D & D, strong defense, and later react it. Sorcerer, but the synergy is sparse your dice pool of healing magical... And versatility Inspiration to deal extra psychic damage with psychic blades to massive! Attack into necrotic damage once per turn, and add extra damage with your Bardic Inspiration setting. The dark, and yet another easy-to-pull-off multiclass since the two classes have immensely powerful synergy since the two have. Kills creatures neither synergize well with the remainder of your Warlock levels youre! 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Deploy a tentacle with bonus action attack after casting a bard spell make you more capable of entering combat. Your Warlock levels and youre golden ( pun totally unintended ) multiclass they! Consider the Fiend Warlock for its ability to create items by ignoring gold cost and. Than the usual Hexblade medium armor, plus you get spell slots always!, that being said, here is a good way to gain a swimming and! Spells is a strong spellcaster, so it & # x27 ; get. I recommend this build, but the Soulknife is a melee Warlock how they can multiclass effectively: they similar... Them around react with it to defend allies from damage excellent class it! Go for three levels if i only want Guidance on my Rogue or.
