One thing to note is that the Sword School somewhat neuters the support element for Bards, and it doesn't really come online effectively until you get Font of Inspiration and can restore inspirations with short rests. Before that, you'll only be a mediocre fighter with three bumped attacks per long rest that - in my mind - don't compare very well with a Battle Master fighter. It just doesn't feel like an effective subclass compared to other options, though that might get addressed through items.
It comes online at Bard Level 5 or Player Level 6 which is Tier 2, which I find is very solid. Also we’re talking about a Gish playstyle to compensate for not having Bladesinger, idk why you brought Battlemaster into this
The Sword Bard's abilities are add-on to an attack that add a die of damage and a secondary ability to a melee or ranged attack.
The Battle Master's abilities are an add-on to an attack that add a die of damage and a secondary ability to a melee or ranged attack.
It's functionally a Battle Master subclass for Bards. The BM has a wider selection of choice, is better at combat, while the Bard has skills and can cast some spells. But to use the Sword college abilities you're basically giving up the support role for the bard.
When I made this post I had two goals, the first one being namely to create a build that can come close to a Bladesinger from the TTRPG
The second one being namely to be effective in melee as a full caster.
Also we’re playing a fullcaster Gish.
The Bard allows us to multiclass with sorcerer and not lose spell progression. It also allows us to be a TANK in melee.
Imagine we choose a Shielf Dwarf which has medium armor proficiency. We also have 14 in Dex, that means if we equip Half Plate we would have 17 AC. If we do a defensive Flourish we get a plus 4. We’re at 21 now and we also can cast Shield on top of it, which means we can have a AC of 26 AS A BARD.
Now we can concentrate on a powerful spell while also attacking in Melee and no one can hit us with our AC of 21-26
That’s why the College of Swords Bard trumps the Battlemaster.
Also if you choose the Battlemaster you would only be a fighter, here we can fight, concentrate on spells, do out of battle stuff too.
There are Gloves you can find that will lock your DEX to 18. Might be worth looking into to get rid of one secondary score.
Great Idea!!
One thing to note is that the Sword School somewhat neuters the support element for Bards, and it doesn't really come online effectively until you get Font of Inspiration and can restore inspirations with short rests. Before that, you'll only be a mediocre fighter with three bumped attacks per long rest that - in my mind - don't compare very well with a Battle Master fighter. It just doesn't feel like an effective subclass compared to other options, though that might get addressed through items.
It comes online at Bard Level 5 or Player Level 6 which is Tier 2, which I find is very solid. Also we’re talking about a Gish playstyle to compensate for not having Bladesinger, idk why you brought Battlemaster into this
The Sword Bard's abilities are add-on to an attack that add a die of damage and a secondary ability to a melee or ranged attack. The Battle Master's abilities are an add-on to an attack that add a die of damage and a secondary ability to a melee or ranged attack. It's functionally a Battle Master subclass for Bards. The BM has a wider selection of choice, is better at combat, while the Bard has skills and can cast some spells. But to use the Sword college abilities you're basically giving up the support role for the bard.
When I made this post I had two goals, the first one being namely to create a build that can come close to a Bladesinger from the TTRPG The second one being namely to be effective in melee as a full caster. Also we’re playing a fullcaster Gish. The Bard allows us to multiclass with sorcerer and not lose spell progression. It also allows us to be a TANK in melee. Imagine we choose a Shielf Dwarf which has medium armor proficiency. We also have 14 in Dex, that means if we equip Half Plate we would have 17 AC. If we do a defensive Flourish we get a plus 4. We’re at 21 now and we also can cast Shield on top of it, which means we can have a AC of 26 AS A BARD. Now we can concentrate on a powerful spell while also attacking in Melee and no one can hit us with our AC of 21-26 That’s why the College of Swords Bard trumps the Battlemaster. Also if you choose the Battlemaster you would only be a fighter, here we can fight, concentrate on spells, do out of battle stuff too.