Bard of Death Planning - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Bard of Death Planning

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Yunru
Sep 15, 2015 7:42:28 Building a necromantic Lore Bard. He'll be a Human variant (Inspiring Leader), Lore Bard 6 (Animate Dead and Bless), Warlock 5 (Eldritch Blast and recharging spell slots). However, I'm not sure where to go for the last 9 levels, thoughts? Apologies if phone eats formatting.
#2
jaappleton
Sep 15, 2015 9:06:09 Dirgesinger in 5E!
#3
miniitx
Sep 15, 2015 10:21:29
6 levels of Necromancy Wizard for the Undead Thralls feature would fit thematically and provide a nice mechanical advantage (you can largely forgo Int with Animate Dead, anyway). Death Domain Cleric is also a thematic fit, but maybe not as mechanically powerful. May I ask why you're going 5 levels in Warlock? 2 levels gets you all the Eldritch Blast power you'd need. I'd go straight Bard for this or otherwise multiclass Bard/Wizard.

#4
Treantmonklvl20
Sep 15, 2015 11:13:58
Any Charisma based caster with Warlock 2 can contribute to combat at any level thanks to EB + AB, so I wouldn't say that your character will be ineffective in combat.

However, I think you will find Animate Dead lacking punch. Necromancers can significantly increase the offensive abilities of these creatures, and while a Bard with IL could increase HP and theoretically boost to-hit with inspiration - the damage is so low, that's not a very good use of that ability. In addition - you are going to be restricted to one skeleton or zombie (with no offensive boost) until level 11 (when I assume you would do short rest - animate dead - short rest - animate dead etc.) By that time, they will be so ineffective, it's really not a good investment.

Keep in mind as well, at level 11 you will be casting 3rd level spells with 3rd level slots maximum. Other casters at that level can cast 6th level spells for comparison.

If the existing concept (Bard/Warlock necromancer) is essential, than just be prepared to rely heavily on EB to show any effectiveness in combat. Expect the Animate Dead to be more of a flavor thing.

If the Bard/Warlock thing is not essential to the build - I would recommend perhaps going Necromancer 6/Warlock X instead. As previously mentioned, it's not necessary to go that high with Int - focus on Cha and still take IL. Grab those higher level pact magic slots and use them to boost your AD spell, and with Necromancer boost included (which will scale with level, even without taking more Necromancer) you will see this aspect of your build be far more effective.

At least that's my opinion.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Yunru Sep 15, 2015 7:42:28	Building a necromantic Lore Bard. He'll be a Human variant (Inspiring Leader), Lore Bard 6 (Animate Dead and Bless), Warlock 5 (Eldritch Blast and recharging spell slots). However, I'm not sure where to go for the last 9 levels, thoughts? Apologies if phone eats formatting.
#2 jaappleton Sep 15, 2015 9:06:09	Dirgesinger in 5E!
#3 miniitx Sep 15, 2015 10:21:29	6 levels of Necromancy Wizard for the Undead Thralls feature would fit thematically and provide a nice mechanical advantage (you can largely forgo Int with Animate Dead, anyway). Death Domain Cleric is also a thematic fit, but maybe not as mechanically powerful. May I ask why you're going 5 levels in Warlock? 2 levels gets you all the Eldritch Blast power you'd need. I'd go straight Bard for this or otherwise multiclass Bard/Wizard.
#4 Treantmonklvl20 Sep 15, 2015 11:13:58	Any Charisma based caster with Warlock 2 can contribute to combat at any level thanks to EB + AB, so I wouldn't say that your character will be ineffective in combat. However, I think you will find Animate Dead lacking punch. Necromancers can significantly increase the offensive abilities of these creatures, and while a Bard with IL could increase HP and theoretically boost to-hit with inspiration - the damage is so low, that's not a very good use of that ability. In addition - you are going to be restricted to one skeleton or zombie (with no offensive boost) until level 11 (when I assume you would do short rest - animate dead - short rest - animate dead etc.) By that time, they will be so ineffective, it's really not a good investment. Keep in mind as well, at level 11 you will be casting 3rd level spells with 3rd level slots maximum. Other casters at that level can cast 6th level spells for comparison. If the existing concept (Bard/Warlock necromancer) is essential, than just be prepared to rely heavily on EB to show any effectiveness in combat. Expect the Animate Dead to be more of a flavor thing. If the Bard/Warlock thing is not essential to the build - I would recommend perhaps going Necromancer 6/Warlock X instead. As previously mentioned, it's not necessary to go that high with Int - focus on Cha and still take IL. Grab those higher level pact magic slots and use them to boost your AD spell, and with Necromancer boost included (which will scale with level, even without taking more Necromancer) you will see this aspect of your build be far more effective. At least that's my opinion.