u/ToadSwampy

tl;dr I'm looking to have the most fun possible without slowing down the party or ending up dead. The goal is to build a sound themed melee bladesinger with strong investigative skills and high mobility. I'm open to any input (both flavor and mechanics).

Species: Eladrin
Class: Bladesinger wizard
Stats: Point buy
Campaign: Levels 5-12 with slow progress. Our table is roleplay heavy but still runs semi-challenging combat (decent potential for death, but PCs don't need to min-max DPR). First session is in 4 weeks. There are 3 PCs total in the party. 2024 rules by default / 2014 allowed with DM approval.

I’m not worried about building the most optimized character - I know that it’s more optimal to stay at range or utilize spells like conjure minor elemental. My primary goal is to build a fun character that won’t slow down the rest of the party. Oh… also I’d prefer to stay alive.

Open to multiclassing ideas, but I want to get to level 6 bladesinger as fast as possible.

For this campaign we're trying something new - we rolled six random words for character inspiration. My words are: Seasons, Discord, Intrigue, Blade, Pathway, Outcast

My immediate thought was an eladrin whose seasons were thrown into discord when she became an outcast. This discord also manifests in her bladesong (flavored as actual music) in the form of spells like Cacophonic Shield (a disjointed melody) and Booming Blade (the discord echoing into those she fights). In alignment with the blade prompt, I'd prefer to focus primarily on melee with spells used to augment her abilities. I want to lean heavily into movement abilities like Fey Step for the pathway prompt. For the intrigue prompt, I'm working with the DM to come up with a series of events that lead to her becoming an outcast. I'm aiming for high perception, investigation, and insight to aid her in this quest.

For feats, I've currently selected Warcaster and Magic Initiate: Wizard (Sage background). Advantage on con saves sounds useful and reactive Booming Blade sounds fun (although I'm worried about competing with defensive spells). MI:Wiz is being used to get a free cast of Mage Armor and some extra cantrips. Very much open to other ideas.

She is currently using a longsword (one-handed) because I like the aesthetic. Open to using other blades. In my head I don't see her duel wielding, but I could be convinced if anyone has a cool/fun idea.

I currently have the following spells selected:
Cantrip: Booming Blade, Prestidigitation.
1st: Absorb Elements, Alarm (R), Detect Magic (C, R), False Life, Find Familiar (R), Identify (R), Jump, Mage Armor, Shield.
2nd: Alter Self (C), Knock, Skywrite (C,R).
3rd: Cacophonic Shield

I'm also considering these spells, but might want to reflavor them:
Cantrip: Shocking Grasp, Chill Touch, Green-Flame Blade, Firebolt (or something else for range?)
3rd: Phantom Steed (R), Sending (might wait for more spell slots first).

I can already see a few weaknesses:

• She doesn't have a way to deal with flying enemies.
• I love Cacophonic Shield, but I'm not sure how well it scales.
• I also love Booming Blade but have never used it / don't know how often the extra damage is set off.
• She'll have high AC, but some low saves. False life helps with extra HP. Will that be enough at higher levels?
• Anything else I'm missing?

I don't know much about the rest of my party yet, but here are their prompt words and ideas (Both players are open to ideas, if you want to share any):
PC 1: Jelly, Death, Tamer, Hidden, Far, Field. This player has already said she is building a GOO warlock focused on crowd control and summoning. I believe both her and her pets will have the ability to turn invisible. Her character is going to be horror themed - I'm assuming the frightened condition will be common.

PC 2: Dream, Horn, Different, Lie, Friend, Cost. This player is aiming for a changeling built around dreams, illusions, and mind reading. I don't know her combat style. She might be an archfey warlock.