OlegRU
2019-05-06, 05:32 PM
Edit: doesn't need to be the combat star of the party - just a partial-support type as far as attacks.
I am just getting back into DND and it's my first time playing 5e. Please help me with my character build.
Basically, I want my character to be able to do some decent attacks in combat as well as cast spells, and I love skills and RP. By his backstory the character is almost certainly a skald type- he's very social with a genuine interest in the world, wanting to develop himself and inspire others, using the spoken word and song a lot. He's also from the North and good with wilderness stuff.
I imagine him being good at many skills and talking to others, casting utility and combat spells, buffing his teammates and also getting some attacks in while keeping himself away from the main brunt of the enemy - perhaps shooting arrows.
Would a Valor Bard Archer be a good way to have all this? I've seen many mention it as a great combat strategy, with 4 attacks later on, for this type of character and it would fit my guy RP-wise, as he stays away from the front line, but still gets to yell **** out, do some buffing of others, cast spells, but also have significant attacks.
Questions:
If he's the archer build, would rapier be good as a backup melee weapon (for epic flavor in some situations)? Should he have a shield for when he's using the rapier or just a sword?
Is casting with a bow going to be a problem? What about with a sword and shield?
Armor-wise - since this build would have a high DEX (I imagine), is breastplate or something else worth it (capping out the modifier at 2)? Or should he use only light armor?
Will I be sacrificing any cool stuff (magic, skills, abilities etc.) optimizing his ranged attack?
Is getting feats going to leave him on the low end with ability scores? If I raise scores, should it be straight DEX and CHA?
What would be the optimal progression by levels to build this guy?
Ability Scores (char is half-elf):
Our DM is letting us use standard array or point-buy. So I was thinking of doing:
10 16(+1 incl.) 12 (+1 incl.) 10 12 16 (+2 incl.)
or
10 16(+1 incl.) 14(+1 incl.) 10 10 16(+2 incl.)
I hate negative modifiers and I'm really into skills, which is why the 10s being lowest and why I'm debating of having the 12 in wisdom (survival, perception, maybe animals). I also don't want my char being weak or dumb.
Spells:Could really use help on choosing spell for my char as well!
Multiclassing: Open to it if it's not too all over the place or complex. Also, I'd like to stay away from things like sorcerer or paladin, as they might be effective but make no sense RP in my case.
What are your suggestions/advice?
(Please keep in mind I want to keep my character's theme for RP purposes.)
Thank You so for any feedback!
I am just getting back into DND and it's my first time playing 5e. Please help me with my character build.
Basically, I want my character to be able to do some decent attacks in combat as well as cast spells, and I love skills and RP. By his backstory the character is almost certainly a skald type- he's very social with a genuine interest in the world, wanting to develop himself and inspire others, using the spoken word and song a lot. He's also from the North and good with wilderness stuff.
I imagine him being good at many skills and talking to others, casting utility and combat spells, buffing his teammates and also getting some attacks in while keeping himself away from the main brunt of the enemy - perhaps shooting arrows.
Would a Valor Bard Archer be a good way to have all this? I've seen many mention it as a great combat strategy, with 4 attacks later on, for this type of character and it would fit my guy RP-wise, as he stays away from the front line, but still gets to yell **** out, do some buffing of others, cast spells, but also have significant attacks.
Questions:
If he's the archer build, would rapier be good as a backup melee weapon (for epic flavor in some situations)? Should he have a shield for when he's using the rapier or just a sword?
Is casting with a bow going to be a problem? What about with a sword and shield?
Armor-wise - since this build would have a high DEX (I imagine), is breastplate or something else worth it (capping out the modifier at 2)? Or should he use only light armor?
Will I be sacrificing any cool stuff (magic, skills, abilities etc.) optimizing his ranged attack?
Is getting feats going to leave him on the low end with ability scores? If I raise scores, should it be straight DEX and CHA?
What would be the optimal progression by levels to build this guy?
Ability Scores (char is half-elf):
Our DM is letting us use standard array or point-buy. So I was thinking of doing:
10 16(+1 incl.) 12 (+1 incl.) 10 12 16 (+2 incl.)
or
10 16(+1 incl.) 14(+1 incl.) 10 10 16(+2 incl.)
I hate negative modifiers and I'm really into skills, which is why the 10s being lowest and why I'm debating of having the 12 in wisdom (survival, perception, maybe animals). I also don't want my char being weak or dumb.
Spells:Could really use help on choosing spell for my char as well!
Multiclassing: Open to it if it's not too all over the place or complex. Also, I'd like to stay away from things like sorcerer or paladin, as they might be effective but make no sense RP in my case.
What are your suggestions/advice?
(Please keep in mind I want to keep my character's theme for RP purposes.)
Thank You so for any feedback!