We're beginnng our campaign of 5e (my first time trying it out) and there are only 3 of us–so the core 4 classes aren't going to be a thing for us here. Furthermore, the other two already have their characters: a great weapon wielding Barbarian and a sword and board Paladin (Devotion, I believe, as he mentioned wanting to heal).
Given what those two are being, what should I roll up to compensate the lack of spells/skills? My first inclination is Bard, but I'm not really sure about that one (they don't have many damaging spells, and I don't think the Barbarian can handle damage on his own).
Any advice?
Be a wizard
War or healing cleric would be nice.
Is the spellcasting really that much better than having the right skills?
Prescient wrote:
I was talking with someone about the possibility of using a Valor Bard to create a kind of Bladesinger/Arcane Archer mix.
The idea was to multiclass into Fighter or Paladin to gain some more weapon-related bonuses (but still going 14 in Bard to get the last Valor feature). Or only going 5 or 6 levels into Bard and then switching over to one of those classes.
Bladesinger and Arcane Archer are both some of my favorite classes from back in the day, but I don't think Eldritch Knight handles them very well (can't imbue arrows, for one, and only selecting from damaging spells means you're having to choose between your weapon and your spells). Would be better if the spells were from a different school that focused on battlefield control, which is perfect for the Bard's skill list.
Any thoughts on building one or both of those legacy classes (Bladesinger/Arcane Archer)?
Oh! So Bard with Ranger spells could certainly equal Arcane Archer...but not until lvl 10.
We don't usually play that long (though we're hoping this one will be different).
Bard or druid, and I would lean toward Land Druid myself.
Spells cam be cast in higher slots for more damage, but it's not damage spells that specifically do the trick. Controlling effects and spells that improve combat would work well in this group, which comes with the bard well enough. I am confused on how you don't normally get to 10th level but were planning on 14th level bard abilities. If you are planning 14th level bard then I wouldn't be concerned about 10th level abilities. 
Druid, bard, or wizard would be appropriate, and my suggestion would be a bard for the skills. Lore bard, valor if you want to push for more of the blade singer / arcane archer styles.
Haha. Yeah, I did get into my old theory crafting habits there with the 14. (Easy to get carried away with that.)
Since Lore Bard seems to be a standard Bard+ (as I understand it), I think I'll just play a Bard through the first two levels and see how things are looking. If I'm enjoying the spellcasting role, then I'll go Lore. If I find myself picking up my bow or sword too often, I'll go Valor. (I usually play Rangers, Rogues, or Fighters, almost exclusively, so I'll have to make a serious effort to fight my instincts and try the spellcasting route and see how I like it.)
Since I'm only talking about this class now, though, I think it's a positive note that the class choice (Bard) has been made. 
Here's my stab at the Bard.
Right now I'm trying to keep him balanced so he could go either Lore or Valor without changing much, but I'm leaning towards Valor to get the Bladesinger/Arcane Archer feel.
Please critique and let me know what you think of the things I can control at 1st level (skills, spell selection, etc.).
Prescient wrote:
Haste is a 3rd Level Spell, available on the Wizard and Sorcerer Spell Lists.
So a 5th Level Sorcerer will be able to cast Haste regularly or as a Twinned Spell for the cost of 3 Sorcery Points)
A 5th Level Wizard will only be able to cast Haste as a regular spell, unless they have at least 3 levels of Sorcerer and choose Twinned Spell as one of their MetaMagic Options.
As a Bard the quickest way would be to get Haste as a Lore- Additional Magic Secret when you become a 6th Level Bard, then take 3 levels in Sorcery.
9th Level Character you can twin Haste
What you could have had though- an Ability Score Improvement or a Feat (Level 8 Bard), Song of Rest (D8) Level 9 Bard) and Magic from 4th and 5th Levels.
Level 10 Pure Bard gets Bardic Inspiration D10, EXPERTISE (you skill monkey) and MAGICAL SECRETS.
Still what you gain for the Twinned Haste
Sorcererous Origin, 4 Cantrips (more Blasting), 3 Sorcery Point Font of Magic, Meta Magic (Twinned Spell+ 1 other of your choice), 4 extra Spells known- (Either three 1st Level and One 2nd Level or Two 1st and Two 2nd Level Spells)
9th Level Caster- Your casting slots will be multiclass as detailed on P165 of PHB- 4 each Level 1 Slots, 3 each of Level 2,3 and 4 Slots and 1 5th Level Slot.- You wont have any 4th or 5th Level spells but you have the slots.
You will know 7 Cantrips (more if you have certain Feats), 9 Bard Spells + 2 Additional Magic Secrets (11 Spells) and 4 Sorcerer Spells. Total 15 Spells
Prescient wrote:
Yunru wrote:
As a support class the Bard is awesome. I have a 3rd lvl right now with all the skills the spells and the rest song keeps my gourp going.
Go wizard.
The greatsword barbarian will be great for single target damage, but against a horde of goblin you'll need fireball.
The wizard can also have many utility spell in his spellbook (like knock, fly, invisibility etc...) to replace the rogue skills
So basically you prepare 90% of your spell, and leave 10% of your prepared spell slot empty. Then during the adventure, you face a locked door, take 2 minute to prepare knock spell and there you unlock the door.
Also, using the custom background rule, you can have a decent amount of skills and a wide versatility for the entire group, making sure that the character with the best dex (probably you or the barbarian) take thieve tool, the one with good intellect (hopefully the wizard) take investigation and everyone take perception (wisdom is no one good stats, but if all 3 of you roll, one of you is bound to roll decent).
Sorxores wrote:
Yunru wrote:
Sorxores wrote:
I would suggest wizard or sorceror as the only source of arcane spells in the party. For a bit more healing too: bard. Any of those would work really well.