Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DangerMaus 11-14-05, 01:06 PM	I am beginning a new character and want to try out a Bladesinger. My idea was to do 3 levels of swashbuckler, 2 fighter, and 1 wizard. These classes enable me to meet all of the requirements but I sacrafice a lot of spellcaster ability to do so. So, I am curious on other ideas for class combinations to make a Bladesinger. I like the idea of having 3 levels of swachbuckler and maybe that forces me to sacrafice levels in wizard. Any comments welcome. It should be noted that I am using the Bladesinger from the Complete Warrior. -dm
v4l3r1o 11-14-05, 01:30 PM	I'm interested too. Every Opinion about a wiz/war; the best that you can build
Blas de Lezo 11-14-05, 01:51 PM	If you take all feats to meet the prerequisites, you still have 1 feat left. Take Practiced Spellcaster, and your caster level will increase by 4.
DangerMaus 11-14-05, 02:39 PM	I will pick up practiced spellcaster eventually, but I am more interested in alternative ideas for classes to meet Bladesinger requirements. I am already set on Swashbuckler 3, which limits my choices. -dm
Eric_Pittsburgh 11-14-05, 03:18 PM	Here's a build that will work in Living Greyhawk (28 point build). I am using _only_ core access items and the character is a legal build, according to the LGCS 4.2. Please note that this concept can be enhanced easily if the character finds a few specific non-core items. In order to show this character is actually playable, I noted down the abilities at each level. This also means it's going to be a long posting - sorry! ;-) Now, some folk would tell you to just have a Str of 6. Problem with that is, at low levels, you won't be able to carry the chain shirt and tower without being at maximum load. Some folk would say, it's ok for this kind of build to have a Con of 6. Problem is, there will be wizards out there with higher hit points than you. You need to survive to those higher levels. No matter what, 5% of all attacks will still hit you, and you need to be able to suck up that occasional lucky hit, or a few magic missiles. Str and Con 10 are the barest minimum I consider to make the character survivable. There probably are feats that will make this better in Forgotten Realms, or other books that aren't "core" access in LG. It's an AC whoring exercise for some friends who play LG. 32 point builds are also, of course, better. Cordially, Eric Pittsburgh Outlook: The below values of course can be advanced by non-core items, provided the character gets access to those. Some items will also save the character the need to cast some of the protective spells listed above. Suggested items and their net effect on the total Ac would be: [Armor]: +8 Bracers of Armor (+8 over Mage Armor), Robes of the Arch Magi (+1 net), Dyrr's Impervious Vestment (CA) (+5 net) [Deflection]: +5 Ring of Protection (+3) [insight]: Dusty Rose Ioun Stone (+1) [natural] +5 amulet of natural armor (+3 net over barksin), Skip out on Monk level at 20 in Build A. [shield]: ring of force shield -2 [shield] bonus. It's 2 less than the spell, so YMMV. [unnamed]: +5 Defending rapier (or a +1 Defending rapier with GMW cast at 20th level) [inherent]: +4 Manual of Quickness of Action (+2 net Dex bonus) Also, not likely to be found. [inherent]: +4 Tome of Understanding (+2 net Wis bonus) if taking 1 level of monk. Also, not likely to be found. Spells to have Cast on You by a party member Shield of Faith [deflection], scales up as the caster level does. Barkskin [natural armor], scales up as the caster level does. Divine Protection [+1 morale], limited spell from MH. Several ARs give access to limited spells. Insignia of Protection [+2 divine], core spell from RoD. Polymorph is a two edged sword. It's quite possible that you'll lose out big time on your natural dexterity bonus in exchange for a natural armor bonus. Fortunately, most of your bonuses come from Int (which polymorph doesn't change). A Note about Mage Armor versus Bracers of Armor +4 versus Pearls of Power. Bracers of Armor +4 cost 16,000 gp, or 8,000 gp and 320 xp to craft. (and in this build's case add in 400 gp for 16 scrolls of Mage Armor) Pearl of Power 1st level spells costs 1000 gp, or 500 gp and 20 xp to craft. Scrolls of Mage Armor cost 25 gp. 2 Pearls of Power handed off to a Mage of equal level at the point you can create them allow you to be in Mage Armor for 24 hours. Failing that, you need to use up 320 scrolls of Mage Armor to equal the crafting cost of Bracers +4, or 640 scrolls for just buying the bracers. The scrolls only lasts an hour so you won't have the armor bonus 24-7, but often (except in scripted b.s. auto-surprise combats), you'll be able to anticipate the combat and have it up anyhow. Assuming you use 3 scrolls per mod, that's 106 mods before the Bracers become the better cost. You'll be retired by then I suspect. Advantages: Obscene AC at each level especially if one has time to "buff". Disadvantages: Item creation doesn't become a real factor until 15th level. Keoland Specific Alternative: Join the Nudarmilesti (or Dreadwalkers or the Sea Mages) for access to Leafweave Studded Leather armor instead of scrolls of mage armor, until level 13 when you take up Duelist and can no longer wear armor. You will need to tweak skill points in this case to meet the MOs prerequisites. At level 4, you can sacrifice one rank in Concentration, and still meet the prereqs for the prestige classes for access to this armor through the Nudarmilesti. Build A Level 20: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 7 / (Monk 1 or Bard 4) Feat Prerequisites: Duelist: Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse Bladesinger: Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Weapon Focus Spellsword: Proficiency with all armors, simple and martial weapons. Race: Gray Elf (-2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Int) Abilities: Str 10 Dex 17 Con 10 Int 16 Wis 10 Cha 12 Drawback: Crappy will save (buy scrolls of Prot. Evil as anti-charm/dominate defense) Level 1: Swashbuckler 1; Feats: Dodge, Weapon Finesse; Skills: Balance 4 ranks, Bluff 4 ranks, Diplomacy 4 ranks, Jump 4 ranks, Sense Motive 4 ranks, Tumble 4 ranks, Use Magic Device 2.0 ranks (4 points); Equipment: Chain Shirt, Rapier This character has an AC of 17, 18 against a designated target. In dire need, a potion of Shield of Faith can add 2 more to the AC for a total of 19 (20). Fighting defensively adds another 2 points of dodge bonus to the AC for a total of 21(22). Level 2: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 1; Feats: Combat Expertise ; Skills: Bluff +1 rank(cc), Jump +1 rank, Tumble +1 rank(cc); Equipment: Tower Shield When using combat expertise, the character now gets the same AC bonus when fighting defensively (F.D.) as when choosing the full defense (Fu.D.) action. Thanks to tumble the AC now rises by 1 more when fighting defensively. The tower shield grants an additional bonus to AC for a maximum of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +2 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +2 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 25(26) using Combat Expertise and Fighting Defensively. A potion of Shield of Faith can add 2 more to the AC for a total of 26 (27). A potion of Barkskin can add 2 more to the AC for a total of 28 (29). Note: The Tower Shield limits Maximum Dex bonus to +2. Note: Full defense does not combine with Combat Expertise. Level 3: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2; Feats: Mobility, Weapon Focus (Rapier); Skills: Balance 1 rank (cc), Use Magic Device 1 rank (cc), Climb (or Ride) 1 rank Using Combat Expertise the character now add 1 more point to his AC for a maximum total of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +3 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +2 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 26 (27) (without consumables). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 4: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 1; Dex increased to 18; Feats: Bardic Music[CA], Bardic Knowledge[CA], Arcane Spells(Bard)[CA]; Skills: Concentration 4 ranks, perform(dance) 2 ranks, perform(sing) 3 ranks Using Combat Expertise (and fighting defensively) AC is [+4 armor, +4 shield, +3 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +2 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 26 (27) (without consumables). Using a scroll of Shield, AC jumps to 28 (29) [no Max Dex], however the chances of successfully hitting the DC of 21 is slim. Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 5: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 2; Skills: Spellcraft 5 ranks, UMD 4 ranks (7 total) Equipment: Chainshirt +1 (mithril if have access) The BAB rises by one, increasing the possible bonus from Combat Expertise by 1. Using Combat Expertise (and fighting defensively) AC is [+5 armor, +4 shield, +4 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +2 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 28 (29) (without consumables). Note that the Tower Shield will interfere with arcane scrolls, but not with divine. Synergy effects raise the UMD modifier to a total of +10 for scrolls, enough to start using scrolls on a regular basis (cheaper than potions). Using scrolls in combat will be tricky though, unless you drop the Tower Shield first. Using scrolls of Shield instead of the Tower Shield will allow AC to bump up to 30 (31) thanks to the removal of the maximum Dex. Note that alternately, you can start using scrolls of mage armor, but as bards do not suffer spell failure in light armor, and the max dex limitation is coming from the shield, why bother? Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 6: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3; Feats: Combat Casting; Skills: UMD +2 ranks, Decipher Script 5 ranks, Diplomacy 1 rank (5 total), Sense Motive 1 rank (5 total). 20% XP Penalty from here out. The BAB rises by 1 more point, increasing the Combat Expertise potential to its maximum. . Using Combat Expertise (and fighting defensively) AC is [+5 armor, +4 shield, +5 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +2 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 29 (30) (without consumables). The UMD modifier for scroll rises to +14. Using a scroll of Shield will bump AC to [+5 armor, +4 shield, +5 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, (+1 Dodge feat)] 31 (32). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 7: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 1; Feats: Bladesong Style[CA]; Skills: UMD +1 ranks (cross class) (10 total ranks), Knowledge (Arcana) 3 ranks, Equipment: Lose the Tower Shield from this point onward unless it's animated. Losing the tower shield, he will get a +1 bonus to AC instead from the Bladesong style. A scroll of Shield can make up for the lost AC bonus from the Tower Shield, however, the character still needs to roll a 6 on his UMD check. Using scrolls of Shield, the character can now get to an AC of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +5 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +1 Dodge Bladesong Style(BSS) (+1 Dodge feat)] 32 (33). Scrolls of Reduce Person, Shield of Faith and Barkskin both add +6 to that total as well (+2 deflection, +2 natural respectively, +1 Dex (if mithril), +1 size). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 8: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 2; Dex increased to 19; Feats: Lesser Spellsong; Skills: Concentration +1 rank (total 5 ranks), UMD +1 ranks cross class (11 total ranks), Knowledge (Arcana) +2 ranks The character's Bladesong style AC bonus rises to +2, for an AC of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +5 Dodge (C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +2 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 33(34) using scroll of Shield. See scrolls in level 7. Add +4 versus AOO's. [B]Level 9: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3; Feats: Improved Combat Expertise (I.C.E.; Skills: Concentration +2 ranks (total 7 ranks), UMD +1 ranks cross class (12 total ranks). Knowledge (Arcana) +1 ranks (total 6 ranks) The character's Bladesong style AC bonus rises to +3 for an AC of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +8 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 37(38) using scroll of Shield. The character now can cast 2nd level spells and could choose cat's grace to further enhance the AC bonus by 1 when using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield or by +2 if you have a +1 mithril chain shirt (+5 AC, Max Dex+6). Also of use will be Fox's Cunning to increase the Int bonus to AC from Bladesong style at higher levels. See scrolls in level 7. Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 10: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 1; Skills: Concentration +3 ranks (total 10 ranks), UMD +1 ranks cross class (13 ranks ) Caster level 6. The character's AC using a scroll of Shield is [+5 armor, +4 shield, +9 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 38 (39). Using Cat's Grace (and the scrolls mentioned in level 7), the Dex bonus adds up to +7 (However mithril chain shirt +1's max dex bonus is +6). This adds to a total of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +9 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 45 (46). Using a scroll of mage armor nets the same effect [+4 armor, +4 shield, +9 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +7 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)]. Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 11: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3/ Spellsword 2; Feats: Improved Toughness; Skills: Concentration +3 ranks (total 13 ranks), UMD +1 ranks cross class (14 ranks ). AC goes up 1 from I.C.E. of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +10 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 39(40) using scroll of Shield. Using Cat's Grace (and the scrolls mentioned in level 7), the Dex bonus adds up to +7 (However mithril chain shirt +1's max dex bonus is +6). This adds to a total of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +10 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 46 (47). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 12: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 ; Attribute: Dex increased to 20; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (15 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Craft Wondrous Item . The character now can start crafting magical items. His effective caster level of 7 however will greatly restrict this ability at the moment. Equipment: Ring of Protection +1, Gloves of Dexterity +2, Headband of Intellect +2, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, Pearl of Power 1st (mage armor, shield of faith) and 2nd (barkskin).. Note that is way more efficient to create 2 Pearls of Power 1st level and hand them off to a 12th level Wizard, rather than crafting Bracers of Armor +4. Cat's Grace does not stack with the gloves, but can still add 1 to AC if unarmored. AC goes up 1 from I.C.E. of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +1 deflection +1 natural (+1 Dodge feat)] 44(45) using scroll of Shield. Using Cat's Grace (and the scrolls mentioned in level 7), the Dex bonus adds up to +7 (However mithril chain shirt +1's max dex bonus is +6). This adds to a total of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 47 (48). Using Mage Armor and Cat's Grace (which does not stack with the Gloves) instead of physical armor increases AC by 1 to a total of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 48 (49). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 13: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 1; Feats: Canny Defense [CA]; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (16 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned Equipment: Lose the physical Armor and use Scrolls of Mage Armor if a Wizard isn't around to hand pearls of power to cast it. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +12 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +1 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +1 deflection +1 natural (+1 Dodge feat)] 46(47) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, cat's grace, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +12 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +1 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 47 (48). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 14: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 2; Feats: Improved Reaction. Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (17 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +13 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +2 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 46(47) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, cat's grace, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +13 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +2 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 49 (50). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 15: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 3; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (18 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Practiced Spellcaster(Bard), Enhanced Mobility. Caster level 11 Practiced Spellcaster raises the caster level to 11, which suddenly gives the character core access to crafting most stat boost items (except belts of str): I'll assume that from now on the character has +6 stat boost items for Dex and Int. Dex is effectively 26 (+8) and Int is 22(+6) (except for skill points). Cat's Grace and Fox's Cunning are now obsolete. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +14 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +3 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 50(51) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +14 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +3 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 56 (57). Add +8 versus AOO's. HIGH LEVEL CAMPAIGN Level 16: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 4; Attribute: Dex increased to 21; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (19 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Grace [CA]. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +15 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +4 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 52(53) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +15 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +4 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 58 (59). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 17: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 5; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (20 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Precise Strike [CA]. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +16 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +5 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 54(55) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +16 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +5 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 60 (61). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 18: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 6; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (21 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Acrobatic Charge [CA], Arcane Strike AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +17 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 56(57) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +17 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 62 (63). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 19: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 7; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (22 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Elaborate Parry [CA] Alignment switch to Lawful (see next level). AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +8 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 64(65) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +9 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 70 (71). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 20: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 7 / Monk 1; Attribute: Dex increased to 22; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (23 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats X. Equipment: Amulet of Wisdom +6 AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +8 Dex, +3 Wis +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 67(68) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +9 Dex, +3 Wis +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 73 (74). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 20Alternate: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 4 / Bladesinger 3 / Spellsword 3 / Duelist 7; Attribute: Dex increased to 22; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (23 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats X. Equipment: Belt of Giant Strength +6, Cloak of Charisma +6, 3rd level spells, caster level 12. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +8 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 64(65) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +9 Dex, +6 C.D. +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 70 (71). Add +8 versus AOO's. Build B Level 20: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 6 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 7 Feat Prerequisites: Duelist: Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse Bladesinger: Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Weapon Focus Spellsword: Proficiency with all armors, simple and martial weapons. Race: Gray Elf (-2 Str, +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Int) Abilities: Str 10 Dex 17 Con 10 Int 16 Wis 10 Cha 12 Drawback: Crappy will save (buy scrolls of Prot. Evil as anti-charm/dominate defense) Levels 1 to 10 remain the same as in Build A above. Level 11: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 4/ Spellsword 1; Skills: Concentration +3 ranks (total 13 ranks), UMD +1 ranks cross class (14 ranks ); Equipment: Headband of Intellect +2 AC goes up 1 from I.C.E. and 1 from bladesong style of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +10 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +4 Dex, +4 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 40(41) using scroll of Shield. In combat the character can now cast the following spells naturally, or from scrolls to enhance his AC: shield of faith (+2 deflection), barkskin (+2 natural), reduce person (+1 size) and Cat's Grace, the Dex bonus adds up to +7[cap is 6]. This adds to a total of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +10 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +4 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 47 (48). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 12: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1; Dex increased to 20; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (15 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Craft Wondrous Item, Caster level 7; Equipment: Gloves of Dexterity +2 AC goes up 1 from I.C.E. of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +4 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 43(44) using scroll of Shield. In combat the character can now cast the following spells naturally, or from scrolls to enhance his AC: shield of faith (+2 deflection), barkskin (+2 natural), reduce person (+1 size) the Dex bonus adds up to +6. This adds to a total of [+5 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +4 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 47 (48). Using Mage Armor and Cat's Grace (which does not stack with the Gloves) instead of physical armor increases AC by 1 to a total of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +11 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +3 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 48 (49). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 13: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 1; Feats: Canny Defense [CA]; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (16 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned; Equipment: Lose the physical Armor and use Scrolls of Mage Armor if a Wizard isn't around to hand pearls of power to cast it. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +12 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +1 C.D. +4 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 45(46) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, cat's grace, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +12 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +1 C.D. +4 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 48 (49). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 14: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 2; Feats: Improved Reaction [CA]. Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (17 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +13 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +6 Dex, +2 C.D. +4 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 47(48) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, cat's grace, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +13 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +2 C.D. +4 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 50 (51). Add +4 versus AOO's. Level 15: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 3; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (18 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Practiced Spellcaster (Bard), Enhanced Mobility [CA]. Caster level 11 Practiced Spellcaster raises the caster level to 11, which suddenly gives the character core access to crafting most stat boost items (except belts of strength): I'll assume that from now on the character has +6 stat boost items for Dex and Int. Dex is effectively 26 (+8) and Int is 22(+6) (except for skill points). Cat's Grace and Fox's Cunning are now obsolete. Note that if you do not intend to continue into the HL campaign, a +4 Headband is all that is required right now. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +14 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +3 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 52(53) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +14 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +3 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 58 (59). Add +8 versus AOO's. HIGH LEVEL CAMPAIGN Level 16: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 4; Dex increased to 21; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (19 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Grace [CA]. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +15 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +4 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 54(55) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +15 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +4 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 60 (61). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 17: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 5; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (20 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Precise Strike [CA]. AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +16 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +5 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 56(57) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +16 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +5 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 62 (63). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 18: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 6; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (21 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Acrobatic Charge [CA], Arcane Strike AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +17 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +8 Dex, +6 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 58(59) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +17 Dodge (I.C.E.), +3 Dodge (F.D.), +9 Dex, +6 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 64 (65). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 19: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 5 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 7; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (22 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Elaborate Parry [CA] Alignment switch to Lawful (see next level). AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +8 Dex, +6 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 66(68) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +9 Dex, +6 C.D. +5 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 72 (73). Add +8 versus AOO's. Level 20: Swashbuckler 1 / Fighter 2 / Bard 3 / Bladesinger 6 / Spellsword 1 / Duelist 7; Dex increased to 22; Skills: UMD +1 ranks cross class (23 ranks ), 3 skill points unassigned, Feats: Greater Spellsong [CA]; Equipment: AC is now [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +8 Dex, +3 Wis +6 C.D. +6 Dodge BSS (+1 Dodge feat)] 70(71) using scrolls of Mage Armor and Shield. Scrolls of shield of faith, barkskin, and reduce person can combine to add +6 to that score of [+4 armor, +4 shield, +18 Dodge (I.C.E.), +10 Dodge (F.D. w/ E.P.), +9 Dex, +3 Wis +6 C.D. +6 Dodge BSS +2 deflection +2 natural armor +1 size (+1 Dodge feat)] AC 76 (77). Add +8 versus AOO's. Alternately, take Bard 4 for access to Belts of Strength if AC is *****d enough for you already.
rilem 11-14-05, 03:19 PM	There have been enough bladesinger threads recently that you should know the class is subpar and a poor choice. You can make a better "bladesinger" with other classes and feats that don't leave you stranded at late levels with a lousy caster level and little in the way of flexibility. I'm assuming you realize this and want to take bladesinger anyway. There are plenty of other arcane classes that will qualify for bladesinger, but most have the same problems that you've noted: Poor caster level. But going bladesinger destroys your caster level anyway, so this isn't the huge issue it could be otherwise. Suel Arcanamach is one option that gives you somewhat faster caster progression — Swash3/Fighter1/Hex2/Suel4/BladeSinger10 gets BAB+19 Saves 9/12/12 5th level spells Caster level 13 w/practiced caster, 19 for dispelling purposes along with Cha to Saves, Dispelling Strike and whatnot. It would be better without so many bladesinger levels, but that really goes without saying.