And you don't have Extra Attack by default, so you almost certainly have to take a Bard subclass with Extra Attack like Swords or Valor. The INT will likely be wasted but the free cantrip is decent. Some folks like 2 levels of Paladin into Sorcerer X, but this is a mistake. 3 (2 Paladin/1 Bard) with rolled stats (17 10 17 12 14 16). From paladin you get heavy armor, divine smite, extra attack, aura of protection, decent fighting style. In my opinion; Bard is better at doing either just healing or just damage buffing, while the paladin is better at providing a bit of both. Level Paladin for Heavy Armor and HP; Level Paladin for Divine Smite and Dueling; Level Bard for Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire and Bardic Inspiration ; Paladin for Oath; Paladin for Shield Master; Paladin for Extra Attack; Paladin. Str 16 + 2, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 17 + 1. With level 7 Paladin, you can double the mid-defensive build and mostly high-offensive. However, dexterity is also a common saving throw for damaging spells. #1. All three of those classes are amazingly fun. I’ve played numerous Paladin/Bard characters. Sounds like someone who either doesn't play bard/pally or if he does has actually no idea how to play one well and thinks whatever random spam he's doing is a great performance 👏 Bard is my most stressful/challenging character to. There isn't much more to say about it than that. Not much use to take bard 2 if your only level 10 for the last fight. Typically, Paladins stick to a moral code prescribed by the deity they follow. They also don’t have the strongest. If she ends up being a barbarian, that's my guess - if she's a paladin, I find Chaotic Good more likely. (At 450g : 95 crystals) Idk exactly how much a bard heals but unless its 250% of my life per cast you will never just put 50g on the ground. The classes naturally dove tail to no one’s surprise. But a rogue is a clever con artist as much as they are a sneaky thief, and the bard class skills and abilities open up a world of abilities and subtle tricks that can be used to take what you need. So you have to go to Bard X/Paladin 5. Wizard feels off cause you start as an amnesiac. . If it's hard to down you most enemies are just gonna walk past you and try to kill your squishies. The paladin cleanse is insane and he is constantly applying DPS buffs. But after seeing the party make-up, I think we need more front-line and healing capabilities. Picture, if you will, a pint-sized troubadour with a lute in hand and a grin on their face. Looked around the table one game and every spell caster had a spell DC of 11 or less. Which is more damage without question. Paladin / Bard (Image Credit: Nowis-337) Paladin’s have a reputation for their high charisma, and that means that bard actually is a class that mixes well with. Pick up Warcaster with your first ASI or your Vuman Feat if you take your first level in Bard so you can start carrying a shield. I was wondering what everyone thinks about this multiclass combination. But hey, they seem pretty happy with it, ignorance is bliss I guess. However, you gain a lot for picking Paladin 2 first including the early shield and medium armor, which gets you to 19 AC in the first hour and a half of the game. I'm in a campaign that will go all the way to 15 or 20 and even in that one, I'm lukewarm about doing the. One of the Paladin's defining features is Smite, and more spell-slots means more Smites. not going Paladin at all in tier 1) if you don't want heavy armor. You misunderstand class/class means multiclassing so a bard/paladin is a bard multiclassing paladin. It has everything a Bard needs, though, you must take two levels in it. Bards don't buff. Normally I'd think it'd be 2/18 or 6/14 Bard/Paladin, for either smites or aura of protection. Silverblade1234 • 2 yr. Bards get their magic by echoing ‘the music of creation’. Like, at all. Hero. Variant human glory Paladin who takes Mobile feat at 1st level makes for a uniquely illusive (and tanky) play style, this Paladin is not at all the supportive type that nearly all the other oaths allow for, although you still have many good options to support. Fill sorcerer, probably Divine Sorcerer for the spell list. Paladin / Bard (Image Credit: Nowis-337). So like a mutant half orange half apple, an oppal, or an arange. Choose Shield, Wrathful Smite, Armor of Agathys, and Mirror Image as your Warlock spells. Best races for the Bard in BG3. Bard, Folk Hero - Revolutionary: Your people live under the oppressive rule of a cruel tyrant. vaaanti • 2 yr. Then we got an Eloquent bard and a Heroic paladin (capitalization deliberate and important). Sorcerer/Wizard. The primary benefit of these builds is. Like my pala is 5x3+1 just because i rolled a 10/6, he does akkan with lvl 5 gems and gets radiant basically every gate (a noble here and there happens but even then my uptimes are like 85/90/40+. Level 9+ Up to you! - You can either advance further in Ancients Paladin to get access to Moonbeam and Misty Step! I just played this for like a year, really enjoyed it. Best. The typical split is usually pally2/bard x, or if you want to go more tanky, pally6-7/ bard x. Regarding A-Game Paladin: while I mentioned the build a bit, there's a few problems with establishing the full Paladin 20 build, namely the need for high Int and Wis. Paladin on the other hand gives the most awesome attack - Divine Smite. Bardadin is the slightly more melee equivalent of the Sorcadin, and works very well indeed. 2 levels of Paladin; 4 levels of Bard; This support-focused multiclass utilizes Bardic Inspiration and excellent action economy to empower your party. If I had to choose the two next companion classes. It would be a real shame if you kept both the Paladin and the college of swords bard under 5 given that you then lack extra attack, because extra attacks mean way more smiting crit opportunities (since you only. I'm considering going Sword Bard til 6 then respecing into this at level 7. I had a player try one out - she was a Half-Drow Swords Bard who eventually discovered Eilistraee, and became her champion (Paladin 2). She doesn't seem like a follower or rule-keeping type, and doesn't seem to tend either way on the moral spectrum with what brief interactions are implemented. I think going Bard will feel a bit meh by then 😅 I'd usually aim to get to Extra Attack before multiclassing. Paladin/Bard Smite Question. Other than that, whatever you like. Paladin 6-7/ Barbarian 3 / Charisma Caster X is a really cool build. Supposedly the universe was sung into being, and bards are able to replicate that song to produce magic. i have both at t3, bard is 1370 and paladin is 1340. Paladin as a really consistent healing and shielding play. From Bard, you've got Magical Secrets, which are also excellent. Paladin/Bard into Hexblade is so popular because it’s just a 1 level dip. I'd pick paladin for frontline and bard for support, those two would work amazingly with anything the player chooses to play. You want to remind the dungeon master that there are no paladin codes against partying like it’s a fantasy tavern and you’re the bard. • 4 mo. You end up with the same amount of skills, just fewer choices for the fist two. Paladin is more like : You are tanky, you press buttons and give buffs, no need to put much of thinking. Even if Valour Bard is an RP choice, the Paladin skills and proficiencies allow for that style of play. Spells: Glyph of Warding! Such a versatile spell for Damage and CC! Level 7: Bard 6. If there was a way to more bard than paladin yet remain able to defend the party that would be great. Generally recommend going to Paladin 6 before branching out unless you plan on a bard college with extra attack. However, you gain a lot for picking Paladin 2 first including the early shield and medium armor, which gets you to 19 AC in the first hour and a half of the game. (For example, Paladin/Bard still has crummy ranged attacks, same as a single-class Paladin. They deliever best depending on what theme you desire. Metallicus Aug 29 @ 9:42am. #1. Paladin 2 / Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard X is also pretty good. Feats: magic initiate: wizard and magic initiate: warlock. Her current spell list is action/advantage denial heavy with a few utility spells; I'd like to enhance her supporter role with better healing abilities and an improved ability to tank,. Essentially, a paladin is like a fully automatic weapon: you have to have fire discipline, or you're going to run dry well before the fight ends. As a mid to high level concept tho, I love the Paladin 2/Sword Bard 18. Ranger - stealth and scouting, single-target damage, maybe a bit of battlefield control. A bard can heal a party from 1% hp to full, while providing much better shielding for the party. Extra attack at 5 and aura at 6 are huge. There are a few nice builds for Bards: Classic vanilla bard. Second Edition Rulebooks; Official Digital Toolset; Online System Reference; Downloads; First. Paladin isn't weaker than Bard nor vice versa. Even one level of sorcerer gets you four cantrips (the same amount a level 20 bard knows), and two new level 1 spells. For the half casters (Ranger, Paladin, Bard, Artificer and some subclasses), it's better to not think of the magic as actual magic. Paladins are champions of holy power, heralds of their faith and smiters of the unrighteous through divine favor and martial prowess. But hey, they seem pretty happy with it, ignorance is bliss I guess. He has to behave in a manner that is worthy of his hammer Mjolnir. Sorc, Wizard, Druid, Cleric levels work the same as. Sword bard gives extra attack. Either way (or if staying in bard) I'd put your dex to 16. But a good Bard is just flat out better. ) So that's basically it: opportunity cost. Raise CHA as high as possible, get a Rapier and Weapon Finesse, then use Greater Heroism and Inspire Courage to do some damage. Bard Multiclass – Paladin 2/Bard 10. However, you gain a lot for picking Paladin 2 first including the early shield and medium armor, which gets you to 19 AC in the first hour and a half of the game. Bard should focus on sonic/fire damage and effects while giving you amazing skills. 3. The character is a Paladin 8 Lock 3. You can lvl 5 smite by level 10 or 12, which is a lot quicker than full paladin does. Ranger - stealth and scouting, single-target damage, maybe a bit of battlefield control. IF you're going Dex, this is probably the way to go. The Draconic Bloodline is Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition's most straightforward Sorcerous Origin. Warlock 2. Possibly the most well-known of the cosmetic item bunch, the cloak of billowing is perfect for any player character with a propensity for the dramatic. Paladin’s Aura is just that good that it’s worth delaying spells for it. Cleric - excellent AOE damage, plus some utility and high-level healing spells. Aereni High: +2 DEX isn't bad as it can help with AC and stealth. And because the former "15%" doesn't stack and only the latter "6%" stacks, if you have a normal support in you're team, you're only offensive synergy will either by "+ added 6% of DPS paladin's attack" or "20% increase. However, I think the other benefits of Warcaster make it valuable too. (+1CON, +2CHA from Hobgoblin). ago. 1. You are one charming dude. Afterwards 6 Bard as College of Swords for both better magic & martial abilities - Inspiration, Jack of all Trades, Expertise, Font of Inspiration & Countercharm from the base Bard + Fighting style Two. Using multiclass spell casting rules, you get a full-caster spell slot progression, even if your “spells known” is a level behind. So there's not much point to an even split between bard and paladin; you're just watering down both classes. It seems like it would be really fun. Think C-3PO if C-3PO was built like a brick shithouse and infused with the divine energies of the goddess of tyranny. ago. Proficiency in Perception and having Darkvision is useful. so basally got killed this way. For level 1 i would often use shield of faith, or protection against good and evil. Paladin is another half caster. Bard is an amazingly versatile class. So even though Artificer is the most popular choice, I fall pretty cleanly into the “don’t” camp. The Bard also has a smaller hit die than the Paladin, so you don’t have the staying power to tank as many hits as a typical paladin. Whispers bard adds the most paladin of any pally mc bar hexblade. However the bard that isn't healing outputs better damage buffs. Though they're not nearly as strong as lore bard, cleric and wizard. Recommended Ratios. Paladin/Bard 4/6 = Paladin/Bard 3/7 : 4 1st + 3 2nd + 3 3rd + 2 4th As can be seen, if you only count in Spell Slots, the difference take a few Bard levels to leverage into extra spell slots, where the main question then become what Class abilites (and access to specific spells) are important for those levels. And while this might seem like the perfect fit for a caster bard, even bards who focus on swordfighting will enjoy this–picking up sorcerer gets you. You can play a tanky bard or a ranged bard. Came here to mention mixing paladin with sword's bard (Bardadin), but it looks like a few other people have it covered. Their scaling and effectiveness depend on spells slots, which Bard provides a lot. Sorcadin has always been a good spellcasting based multiclass as well. Paladin / Cleric (Image Credit: Maven (Chris C. Bard is more "engaging". You run into a lot of things like Wood Elf Monks with 12 Dex, 10 Con, 12 Wis and 15 Intelligence. 3. Bard gives lots of utility, spell slots, and unique attacks. 1. Zariel Tieflings’ focus on strength makes them ideal for classes like Paladin, Bard, or Fighter. Lore bard is really good, because you get those magical secrets earlier, and cutting words is a nice debuff. A better alternative is Paladin 2/Warlock 1/Bard 7, going Hexblade. He can diplomacy, he can fight, he can tank, he can heal, and he can buff. Paladin: Bard (Dirge) Dragon Disciple: Fighter: 2: 12: 4: 2: Leveling Guide; Level:. I have all 3 and have no issues finding. He is so dedicated to his revenge and his beliefs and so skilled in oration and intimidation that no one. They have the upper body of a human but the goats and the lower body of their animal counterpart. I suggest Paladin 2 - Bard 10 if you really want to play a swords bard that can crush things. Bard, Entertainer - Traveling Performer: You use your musical or performance talents to excite and amaze the crowds, earning fame and coin for your impressive skills. Amazingly fun build. Bards are damn good. Hello everyone, I'm looking for some clarification regarding using spell slots to smite as a paladin. Along the same lines, divine grace (paladin 2nd) is one of the strongest class features in the game. You run into a lot of things like Wood Elf Monks with 12 Dex, 10 Con, 12 Wis and 15 Intelligence. A valor bard would get extra attack, martial weapons, and medium armor and shields. I am thinking about multiclassing into a Bard at some point. I'd just like to chime in that with your stats, you could also make a good Paladin 2/Swords Bard X. Then learn how to use the bard and berserker properly. 1st Level Bard Spells: Bane, Disguise Self, Healing Word, Silent Image. Some heals, okay shields. Levels: Bard Swords 6 then 2 levels in Paladin Ancients then finish in Bard gets you some amazing smites - max Dex/Cha. A hexblade 1/ any bard 19 is an excellent battlemage. Paladin 2 / Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard X is also pretty good. It only applies to the players inside or near you. While. A paladin 2 / valour bard 10 is IMO by far the strongest build in the game. From Paladin you gain heavy armor, martial weapons, and Divine Smite for burst damage. 5th edition has totally overpowered bards by giving them full spellcasting levels and the fact that you can combine it with divine smites for free makes this build absolutely busted. In terms of being a caster, support and controller, the bard is going to be stronger. Fair point (advantage works out to a +3. Something like: protector aasimer, zealot Barbarian 15, Paladin 2, sword Bard 3. Bard Cantrips: Light, Minor Illusion. ago. There are two approaches to this build: have 2 paladin levels for smiting and take only (swords) bard levels after that for spell slots to fuel smiting and decent inspiration die or have 6 paladin levels to add your charisma to saves (and have the ability to take some other bard subclass, but swords bard is better even in this case imo). Bard 2 Paladin 8 is not much better than Paladin 8 and probably weaker than Paladin 9. If there was a WoW analogue for Lost Ark’s Paladin it probably would be WoW’s Paladin as well. 1st Level Paladin Spells (most often prepared): Bless, Cure Wounds, Shield of Faith, Thunderous Smite. The paladin is going to blow the cleric and bard out of the water in terms of burst damage, but is also much more in danger of exhausting his resources. Just imagine from the enemies POV, they hear a distant melody play and then out of the silence they hear some heavy clanking like armor, but see nothing. I suggest Paladin 2 - Bard 10 if you really want to play a swords bard that can crush things. I went conquest paladin/lore bard. Getting more spell slots earlier is gonna be better then most of the oaths 7th lvl sure imo. Afterwards 6 Bard as College of Swords for both better. They’re my two. Paladin/Bard 4/6 = Paladin/Bard 3/7 : 4 1st + 3 2nd + 3 3rd + 2 4th As can be seen, if you only count in Spell Slots, the difference take a few Bard levels to leverage into extra spell slots, where the main question then become what Class abilites (and access to specific spells) are important for those levels. With the Duergar Dwarf, they get Enlarge and Invisibility. Strong and influencing, but short sighted or easily distracted. 3 (2 Paladin/1 Bard) with rolled stats (17 10 17 12 14 16). Preserve Your Own Light. A level 4 bard level 4 Paladin equals a level 12 full paladin in terms of spell slots, so there is at least some synergy there as well. Paladin and Sorcerer alone is still an excellent multiclass. Aside from their loyalist tendencies, druids also have a number of cool subclasses, like the. Even if Valour Bard is an RP choice, the Paladin skills and proficiencies allow for that style of play. 2. The first Bard Build I’m going to show you is a College of Swords Level 6 Build. Fairly new to the game and did some research as to what classes go well with paladin since im aiming to recruit Minthara. Obviously the Gold Dwarf is great for tank builds like the paladin, whereas the Shield. Exactly. My original idea was looking something like this: Starting as 2 Paladin for the usual Paladin start-up powers - Lay-on-hands, Divine sense, Smite, Heavy armor prof & Fighting Style Defense. Very nice. Deathblade - Deathblade is a badass class. Plus sorcerers gain sorcery points they can trade for even more slots. Proficiency in Perception and having Darkvision is useful. The only thing you lose before character 20 is the ability for your friends to add your Bardic Inspiration dice to their damage, and that doesn't even begin to compare to what Lore offers. Bard/Paladin has some commonalities with it (namely shared Charisma dependence and full caster progression allowing for massive smiting potential) which seems like a good start, though obviously bards lack some tools like metamagic and some spells that really makes the sorcerer multiclass sing. Paladin and Bard is a good combo, but if the level cap is around 12 then going 6 levels in each really delays both classes. My team consist of astarion,. Redemption Paladin and Eloquence Bard would give a pretty killer persuasion check so I am down for it. Paladin 7 is very powerful but I'd probably go into Warlock rather than Bard. ago. I had a lot of fun in my first play as a vengeance paladin too. Bonus points for Hexblade Warlock, which also improves your gear options significantly. It's much more obvious when a bard puts down a healing area. A valor bard can expect to have roughly 4-5 more AC compared to a lore bard. 6 levels of Paladin gets you the aura, which is pretty much a must-have if you want to play a support paladin. 3. A level 4 bard level 4 Paladin equals a level 12 full paladin in terms of spell slots, so there is at least some synergy there as well. If you're looking to sink serious levels into a multiclass, I wouldn't suggest Swords or Valor since you've already got Extra Attack. Nonetheless, the Draconic Bloodline is still a D&D 5e sorcerer subclass and has to be built carefully. Sorc is a better spellcaster, but bard will give you his perfomance buffs. Imagine being in front of the King (or some important NPC) and suggesting they take a certain course of action because it is the most sensible. Here I'd recommend paladin/bard, paladin/druid, war/bard, war/sha. 3 (2 Paladin/1 Bard) with rolled stats (17 10 17 12 14 16). What a coincidence, I've been cooking up a Bard/Paladin Smite Build for patch 3. maybe get agonizing blast, maybe go 3 for coffeelock shenanigans. Bard all the way. Multiclassing in 5E requires a massive sacrifice in ability, and its compounded for spellcasters. Fighter and Sorcerer feel like blank slates that you can easily paste Durge's persona onto as well. Then Bard until the end. Naw, From a practical leveling Perspective, if starting at low levels, Paladin to 6 first and then branching out for more spell slots with bard is just going to feel much more Streamlined and rewarding. You get an extra skill. For context, my character is a Leonin Lv. Compared to the Hex/Bard, Paladin/Bard has more AC (heavy armor) and two d10 hit dice. Bardadin - Paladin Bard Build. Warlock and Sorcerer are more popular options, but Bard isn't bad either. The bard dialogue and the ability to perform music in the bleakest of environments is just spot on for that paladin!Paladin with bard like tendenciesZariel Tiefling: Paladin, Bard, Warlock, Rogue; More Baldur's Gate 3 guides. Way I think of it is that you either go paladin 6 then bard the rest of the way, but that's not the best if you're going sword because extra attack doesn't stack. In my opinion; Bard is better at doing either just healing or just damage buffing, while the paladin is better at providing a bit of both. “ Not excited about making an heroic Bard and leveling him up to 110 just to complement the Paladin and Mage (Earth). The Paladin/Bard is a jack of all trades of the highest caliber. Would a 10 Warlock /. if you like to spam abilities and active monkey brain 95% of time, play paladin. I'm excited to play the character, I'm just not sure if fitting in Bard levels is reasonable or not. Extra attack at 5 and aura at 6 are huge. Any Paladin 6/Any Sorcerer 14: The Balanced. From Bard, you've got Magical Secrets, which are also. Lvl 3: Back for our last level of Paladin for smites and a fighting style. Not to mention each class makes up for weaknesses of the other. I'm thinking instead of Bard I may multiclass Paladin and Warlock. their magic comes from music itself, like the magic is inside of all music and songs. Like all hexadins we're getting Booming Blade, Eldritch Blast, Hex and Armor of Agathys. 15 temporary hp and 15 damage when we get hit. Post by redwullf » Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:36 am. I suggest Paladin 2 - Bard 10 if you really want to play a swords bard that can crush things. Bard/paladin multiclasses function much in the same way as rogue/ranger ones. Shadow Touched - Invisibility is great, but I am not sure what other spell I would. A bard in service to the god of entertainment can act like a paladin, and also enjoy the 6th level perk of whichever college you choose. Or if you want the ultimate "face" character when it comes to out of combat, Eloquence is also great. Fighter and Sorcerer feel like blank slates that you can easily paste Durge's persona onto as well. Bard provides a plethora of bonus actions and concentration. Oathbreaker Paladin 9/Any Sorcerer: The Dark Arts. 5e Bards are much more than entertainers. My character is a bit inspired by Lyndon B. The two handed greatsword can't utilize either of those fighting styles, so changing it out for a sword and board or dual wielding (not to sure about this one being very effective) might feel better. And Bard/Sorcerer fuels smites while also building your out of combat kit. If you are going for paladin bard multi class you probably want to go for 2 - 10 or 7 - 5. His backstory is he was kidnapped as a baby during a drow…STR with great-weapon fighting style and great-weapon master does a lot more damage than DEX. Pick up Defensive FS from Paladin at 2. A writer, musician, or performer at heart with a deep and abiding love of nature. Along the same lines, divine grace (paladin 2nd) is one of the strongest class features in the game. I found that, i really struggled for level 2 spell slots. The best race you can pick for a Lore and Swords Bard is the Human or High Half-Elf. Also consider: Monk/Paladin/Bard. How reasonable is it to bring Bard to 4 and then Lock to 4? Should I take the 4th Lock level and then bring in the Bard levels? If anyone has examples of a Bardlockadin, I'd love to see some examples. A great bard pali build I've found is conquest paladin whispers bard, just so you can freeze people in place with the frightening conversations and trade bardic inspiration for damage, which is great for when you crit. Roleplay like a madperson, stab some things, cast some. Basically, bard is more bursty supportiveness and paladin is more consistent supportiveness. A bard is a support character who buffs, debuffs, and manipulated the battlefield and is really good with skills. For context, my character is a Leonin Lv. Bard paladin is a particularly brutal combo due to the fact that they use the same stats but bard is almost entirely support and paladin is almost entirely about dps. Put them together. If you think one 6th level spell is better than access to divine smite, just take a moment to think what you just said. He trades off some early level efficacy for a mid to late-game punch. I would probably go 2 paladin and then the rest bard. In that case since you already have extra attack you'll be better off picking college of lore over swords. Suddenly, an enlarged Dwarven Paladin comes out of nowhere swinging a hammer and smiting enemies, using misty step to close the gap. 6 levels of Paladin gets you the aura, which is pretty much a must-have if you want to play a support paladin. Tanky Bard. It's certainly better to focus on the bard side. Most likely sorcerer. I always suggest something like paladin or barbarian to relatively new players because they are not complicated character to play. (Otherwise go to Bard 2 if you don't want to delay your extra attack. Preserve Your Own Light. Help - Diff between Bard/Paladin vs Paladin/Bard Multiclass. Picture, if you will, a pint-sized troubadour with a lute in hand and a grin on their face. Just lovely. you get your Extra Attacks set before you worry about Smites. I've been meaning to ask for some time now, because of everything else I've come to enjoy about C&C, the fact that Rangers, Paladins, and Bards don't get spells at higher levels hasn't sat well with me. Rogues don't need. With a vibrant list of races to pick from, the game is shaping up to. I’m going to second u/Rhythm2392’s Paladin 2 / Swords Bard X. However the bard that isn't healing outputs better damage buffs. ago So as fate would have it, a member of my party really wants to play Bard now. Settled on Paladin/Bard…So I've got a Paladin 5/Bard 4 right now in a current campaign. These differenceres won't really matter for you just playing the game, that is min-maxing for very specific content. Wizard feels off cause you start as an amnesiac. All of you are just mad delusional and think you are giga smart for saving potions "so you dont have to buy them later" when you just make the game harder for yourself and probably use all the revives on. As for Heavy Armor: Bard has to be on top of the boss so her skills reach both the boss and the melee dps. This build is still primarily a caster, but with the ability to occasionally dive into melee and stab things. This comment answers your question well. You end up with the same amount of skills, just fewer choices for the fist two. You’ll retain Divine Smite, Spell Slots, and your Fighting Style, which in this case is going to be Defense. Lore just makes you better at supporting, Glamour lets you bedazzle and manipulate your foes. He goes into bard levels after, getting Swords bard in order to get a second fighting style (Dueling), the extra attack, and the bard spell slots. Naturally, the best class for this enneagram is the bard, a class rooted in dramatic and musical talent. Compared to a level-10 paladin, a 10th-level character who mixes 2 levels of paladin with 8 levels of sorcerer or bard gains 1 level-3 slot, 3 level-4 slots, and 1 level-5 slot. ago. Clerics have access to spells like beacon of hope that can trivialize entire encounters, while paladins have crusader's mantle that causes a grotesque increase in party damage, plus of course their aura of protection feature. Imagine being in front of the King (or some important NPC) and suggesting they take a certain course of action because it is the most sensible. 5E, Level 13, long campaign, retiring old Druid Lizardfolk character, wanting to play a more charismatic and talkative type. This isn't a videogame where drawing enemy aggro is a mechanic or guaranteed at all. Bamp, Apr 18, 2013 #3. My "worst" build was a Goblin Paladin/Druid, made with the intention of Smiting in Wild Shape. Paladin - single-target damage, Aura of Protection (yes, that's a dedicated role) and low level buffs if done right. The bard spell list is a good smorgasbord of magic options for a character who won’t be casting as a primary function in combat. zenprime-morpheus DM • 6 yr. After a lot of research and going through old reddit posts, I think I’ve found the best way to do it. My mind went to Sword Bard 10. With 13 strength there is no reason not to take scale armor proficiency (your dex and int will probably be too low to benefit from light armor), but I'm not completely sure is plate and heavy shield proficiency worth having 15. Those 3 classes are definitely strongest because they excel in couple areas and still are generally good everywhere else. Bard's awakening skill either gives 12% extra crit to everyone or shields everyone near you (12m range) and gives 1/3 of a full gauge. Posted by u/[Deleted Account] - 1 vote and 3 commentsStarting as 2 Paladin for the usual Paladin start-up powers - Lay-on-hands, Divine sense, Smite, Heavy armor prof & Fighting Style Defense. However, you gain a lot for picking Paladin 2 first including the early shield and medium armor, which gets you to 19 AC in the first hour and a half of the game. Especially since bards are 2/3 casters so their spell progression is slower than full casters. So even though Artificer is the most popular choice, I fall pretty cleanly into the “don’t” camp. According to the Dungeon Dudes, they rank as Tier A or Tier S for Investigator, Explorer, Utility, Negotiator, and Support. Building a Paladin/Bard and I have a free 1st lvl feat and am tossing up what is the best option for me. You end up with the same amount of skills, just fewer choices for the fist two. Without Bard 5, you'll run out of Bardic Inspiration far too quick so your Flourishes are a bit pointless and you don't. The Oath of Redemption Paladin is an undeniably novel take on the class to begin with, focusing on extreme pacifism and social skills in order to de-escalate conflicts before they begin. Lots of flashy moves, high mobility, and a cool-looking character model guarantee the Deathblade a top spot. Paladin 6/Bard 14 is a more popular split. Extra Attack means you have two chances to hit an enemy and two chances to crit against them. Swords Bard has access to the Dueling and Two-Weapon Fighting styles. paladin is more offence focused, bard is more defence focused. CryptoHalf-elf is probably the better race here anyway - as a valorous bard you base on cha and con, and they get bonuses to that. Elf: Elves get a DEX bonus which can somewhat help the AC of a Bard, and can give melee Bards a boost with attacking. Mornmagor • 4 mo. Paladin 2 into Bard X is another one that is better saved for a high level start. Druids too much of a tree hugger, and Rogue can be thematic, but it's too on the nose. They can wear heavy armor and shields, have excellent save bonuses, and can heal themselves. Bards are A+ support characters. For example, Paladin 6/Bard 6 would gain access to a 5th level spell slot and get up to 3rd level bard spells and 2nd level paladin spells; paladin 12 only gets up to 3rd level spell slots and spells.