For our next gaming session i was trying to make a rather "sturdy" melee combatant with access to 9th level arcane spells. Which should be charisma based, as to profit most of hexblades arcane resistance.
So far i tried do multiply the cha to all saves bonus, taking 3 levels of hexblade ( i really do want to have mettle) with 2 levels of paladin of Slaughter, added one level of bard, but i do not know how to breach the gap to " 3rd level arcane spells required"
i there something like an "arcane blackguard", prestiege class that gives 3rd level arcane spells by lvl 5?
Or should i simply go bard 7 / hexblade 3 / sublime chord x ?
is bard 1/ sorcerer 6 / hexblade 3 / sublime chord x better?
any recommendations?
and as a sidenote, i was also toying around with the idea of a hexblade 3/ paladin of of tyranny 3/ blackguard 2 to add three times my cha. Mod to all saves ( divine grace, arcane resistance, dark blessing), but i don`t know where to go from there with that build. any ideas?
The spell requirements can be circumvented with early entry tricks: Precocious Apprentice+Improved Power Sigil: Krau, Talfirian Song+Extra Music, Sanctum Spell, etc. One can also qualify without bard levels using Virtuoso or Heartfire Fanner.
Rogue2/Hexblade 3/Bard1/Paladin of Slaughter 2/Blackguard 2 with Talfirian Song and Heighten Spell will qualify, and will have evasion in addition to mettle. Save the second Rogue level for just before Sublime Chord, in order to help with skill requirements
Paladin of Slaughter (or Tyranny) 2/Sorcerer 3/Hexblade3/Virtuoso 2 with Improved Power Sigil: Krau also qualifies, though it loses out on evasion and triple Cha to saves, and will likely encounter difficulty with meeting the skill requirements of Sublime Chord
There's also the vanilla option of Bard 6/Paladin 2 (with Devoted Performer)/Virtuoso2/Sublime Chord 2/[Arcane PrC of Choice] 8, or Bard 7/Paladin 2/Cloistered Cleric 1/Sublime Chord 2/[Arcane PrC of Choice] 8. Neither uses early entry tricks, and the latter gets turning (playing to your Cha synergy)
If early entry tricks pose a problem, I would recommend either of the options above, or your aforementioned Bard 7/Hexblade 3. If they pose no problem, and you really want mettle and triple Cha stacking, I'd recommend the first option I outlined. The rogue levels could also be swapped for an additional Blackguard level (for turning) and an additional level of your choice (i.e. Warlock for even more Cha to saves). In this instance I would highly suggest a ring of evasion.
Regardless, Sublime Chord is not worth taking past level 2. After that, it's better to go Abjurant Champion 5/Spellsword1, and spend the last two levels on an arcane PrC of your choice (if your method of entry did not give you turning, and you qualify, I suggest Sacred Exorcist)
Also, what books are you using and just to give an idea of where you're coming from what is your starting level? Or is the starting level not of much importance right now in leu of just gathering solid advice?