Arcane Trickster/Fey Bladelock optimization opinions

[Ohnoeszz]

So this is my first game and I'm enjoying it, but I'd like some input, particularly on stats since I don't always know the game well enough to project my character decisions.

I started off as a half-elf rogue that would become an Arcane Trickster, then make a pact with a lord of the archefey. As to why no assassin, I wanted a more potent spellcaster while still being a rogue and the extra spell-slots should help.

My character has a growing affinity towards doppleganging, having just reached level 5 (3 rogue/2 warlock) and added the invocations "master of many faces" and "beguiling influence." I like this as a defining aspect of the character.

With my first ability score I will be taking the Actor feat to bump my Charisma to 16 and really specialize in impersonation. The other two feats I want for the character are Mobile and Lucky.

Str: 10
Dex: 18
Con: 12
Int: 13
Wis:10
Cha:15

Skills:
Acrobatics
Arcana
Athletics
Deception
Investigation
Perception (expertise)
Persuasion
Sleight of Hand
Stealth (expertise)
Survival

---------------

I've put a lot into figuring out how I want my character to go but I don't know every option and I have a few questions...

1. Should I put more effort into upping my CHA stat past 16? Is getting dex to 20 more important? Yes, I will be getting agonizing blast, but I want EB to be secondary to my pact weapon/sneak attack melee. I have an expertise in Stealth already and two more expertise to choose at lvl 6 rogue so I don't think Ill need either stat for an ability. Which is better for damage and should I have higher for spellcasting? (dominate and hold spells are appealing)

2. I am thinking Trickster 7/Fey Bladelock 13 as my endgoal - Planeshift looks extremely tasty as a 7th level mystic arcanum - but, I've considered some other options, and if anyone has played or considered something similar I'd like to hear about it or any suggestions:

- Trickster 4-5/Fey Bladelock 12-13/Battlemaster 3-4: this gives really cool combat options like riposte as well as action surge and more feats. I would love to add these abilities but I'm not so keen on giving up my lvls 5-7 of rougue, additional spell slots or Planeshift. This is still very much in the mix since it's something I can do later if we need more combat power.

- Trickster 9/Fey Chainlock 11: the choice here is in giving up a 7th level mystic arcanum for an extra feat for magical ambush, the lvl 9 trickster ability. I probably won't do this... But I find it extremely interesting as a shadowy charmer/enchanter type of character that isolates his victims with the help of a telepathically linked invisible familiar. That would be amazing to play in a subterfuge/intrigue type of game.

- Trickster 13/Fey Bladelock 5/Fighter 2: this one is interesting because of the ease of sneak attacking with versatile trickster, but I would be disappointed in not quite being a Battlemaster and yet not having the utility of a more warlock heavy build.

3. My group is relying on me an inordinate amount for damage. Hopefully this is just while the wizard and sorcerer are lower levels, but I would rather not get pigeonholed into being a combat specialist in my spell/class choices. Can I capably provide damage with these stats/classes? And...

3a. Minions of Chaos is an invocation that gives the ability to use the spell conjure elemental once a day using a warlock spell slot. Has anyone had experience using conjure elemental yet? Adding your choice of fire, water, earth, air elementals, salamanders or xorn to a given battle seems like a powerful ability, especially for someone who wants sneak attack whenever possible and a damage sponge up front.

[Callin]

Go Warlock 12 then either Rogue 8 or Rogue 4/Fighter 4. Dont stop at odd levels. You miss out on stat increases. That being said since you want Fey Lock you are going to want that Cha at an 18 for save DCs. 20 if you can swing it but 18 should be ok. 20 Dex is also a good thing. So thats 2 full stat increases you want, along with the bump to Cha from Actor. With your last two feats you want to get thats all of your Stat Increases allocated. So you really cant afford to go odd levels at all.

[Shadow]

- Trickster 13/Fey Bladelock 5/Fighter 2: this one is interesting because of the ease of sneak attacking with versatile trickster, but I would be disappointed in not quite being a Battlemaster and yet not having the utility of a more warlock heavy build.

I've been considering this with Paladin instead of Fighter for a character myself.

[hecetv]

1. Should I put more effort into upping my CHA stat past 16? Is getting dex to 20 more important?

Honestly eldritch blast will pretty much always wreck your weapon attacks......... Just the nature of the beast. Everything maxed out your melee dps will probably max out in the 40s and a fighter will start maxed out stats in the 60s and it's only up from there. But he's a fighter, the melee dps class, and you're a full caster. You got it going on that way. Even if you spec totally for meter dps and he specs totally for spell casting, you'll be a better caster and he'll be a better fighter. Whatever. Just do what you want. If you wanna go in me lee max your dex first. With cha 16 when you hit 12 and get the +cha weapon damage invocation that's like getting +3 enchantment on your weapon (well minus the accuracy buff but still not too shabby considering depending on your DM you COULD already have a +3 weapon). Anything more is just more uh.... more. Dex is going to keep you alive and your spells aren't going to suffer if you get 20 dex before charisma.


2. I am thinking Trickster 7/Fey Bladelock 13 as my endgoal - Planeshift looks extremely tasty as a 7th level mystic arcanum - but, I've considered some other options, and if anyone has played or considered something similar I'd like to hear about it or any suggestions:

Don't triple multicast that's my advice. I would have staid rogue 2 and just stuck with cunning action but that's just me. I would just go for broke on lock now.

UNLESS. And this is a big unless. UNLESS you want the level 11 rogue ability because that thing is going to make it so hard for you to fail. Hell I haven't really thought about rogue>warlock very much versus rogue<warlock, and that only really rogue 2-3 warlock 17-18. But I bet your dps might not be that bad with 5(6?)d6 sneak attack even if you lose out on your charisma as bonus damage. That's uncharted thinking territory for me though. I've mostly been focusing in my head on full lock or them possibility of rogue 2 for cunning action or 3 for assassinate and going broke with lock.


3. My group is relying on me an inordinate amount for damage. Hopefully this is just while the wizard and sorcerer are lower levels, but I would rather not get pigeonholed into being a combat specialist in my spell/class choices. Can I capably provide damage with these stats/classes? And...

Yes you can. But remember you can also polymorph people into fish and throw them into forges and stuff. And turn into them and withdraw their bank accounts. And turn into their wives and collect their life insurance. And so many other things.


3a. Minions of Chaos is an invocation that gives the ability to use the spell conjure elemental once a day using a warlock spell slot. Has anyone had experience using conjure elemental yet? Adding your choice of fire, water, earth, air elementals, salamanders or xorn to a given battle seems like a powerful ability, especially for someone who wants sneak attack whenever possible and a damage sponge up front.

Conjure elemental with 12 con is risky because if you lose concentration it's kind of time to get out of there. But at the same time it's really awesome so I'd just go for it and you can always swap it out later if you find it's always going south.

[hecetv]

Actually I revise my advice completely because as you play out the game you'll probably have to feel it out anyway. So my advice is when you're playing note if casting sneaking or melee dpsing and what's helpful and just revise the whole plan on that. I'd try and hit lock 5 for two attacks ASAP if you wanna go that route. Or take rogue four next to get a feat or abi. See I just don't know. Do what seems useful. Planning to 20 is only useful if you go to 20. If you're going to 20 I'd get a 9th level spell personally. Or not. If you have another arcane caster plane shift is something hopefully they can do. But maybe you wanna be a plane hopping wanderer which is cool. Or if you need mad skills keep up with rogue. Hell lock 5 rogue 15 is probably pretty swanky. Or lock 8 rogue 12 and keep all your feats/abis. And with rogue 12 actually get an extra one.

Soooooo what was the point of this dumb rant. Get a 9th level spell is my advice but ymmv.