After level 5 or so, anything that doesn't actively clash will . An artificer and bard multiclass could lean strongly into helping its allies succeed. Goes without saying that Elemental Adept: Fire is a no-brainer for your first ASI, although Moderately Armored might come in handy then or later. I would suggest going bard 3 or 5 first. Networking is important! Honestly, the Valor Bard has been replaced somewhat by the Hexblade Warlock since you can get armor and shields with only one level of investment. At Level 2, you also get a decent-sized pool for Lay on Hands, which youll mostly use for emergencies anyways. Skip ahead to the portion of the article that interests you most by clicking the link below: Warlock Multiclassing Principles Archfey Celestial Fathomless Fiend Great Old One Genie Hexblade Undead Undying. The first new class released for 5e, the artificer has a fair amount of overlap with the bard. Making the best use of monk features requires Dexterity and Wisdom, as well as benefitting from a high Constitution. Warlocks in D&D 5e are so strong because of their versatility, and this versatility also makes them exceptionally good at multiclassing. You have become the storm as you freely fly above enemies just out of reach but within your stormy aura. If you enjoy acting as the partys face, this combo is a good way to double down. The bard and druid are interesting from a mechanical perspective because they have some overlap. Riding the line between life and death, youve been resurrected for a chance at revenge. This provides flexibility when casting and opens doors to some insane combos since Warlock spell slots are always at the maximum level possible. This build focuses mostly on being a successful Hexblade while investing half of your levels in strong multiclass supplements. Transform as a bonus action for temporary hitpoints, attacks that can frighten enemies, and immunity to fright. Assuming they're comfortable fighting in close combat, a bard with access to Divine Smite can use it more frequently and more powerfully than a paladin of the same level can, due to the bard's better spellcasting. Cleric dwarf cleric Source: D&D Player's Handbook You could freely communicate telepathically with nearby creatures with GOOs telepathy, and create a long-distance communication link with a chosen creature with AMs telepathy. Your email address will not be published. Warlocks and Sorcerers already blend well, and these two subclasses make thematic sense. Warlock/sorcerer is also a very strong option for a sorcerer multiclass. Splitting spellcasting between Charisma and Wisdom is awful. RELATED: 10 Best Feats For Fighters In D&D 5e, Ranked. The most crucial Paladin features come online at Level 2. When you multiclass into a new class, you start at level one again and must work your way up toward level 20 from scratch. for bard spells and bard slots for warlock spells, for purposes of your spellcaster level, warlocks are non-casters. Multiclassing can be useful for roleplaying as well, so it's not merely for min-max-style players. As the bolt approached her heart, her chest glowed a bright blue, and the shot bounced off her magical shield. Genie Warlocks gain Bottled Respite in their Genies Vessel for ease of short resting. This Assassin Rogue leans heavily into the social skill checks like Deception and Persuasion. Standing at the head of your army of undead, you blend in as one of the horde. Starting as a Warlock gets you Wisdom + Charisma save proficiency; Bard gets you Dexterity + Charisma, and additional weapon proficiencies (hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords). Warlocks are one of of the most popular classes in D&D 5e. He brings fresh perspectives on game mechanics, group dynamics, and roleplaying insights for all TTRPG enthusiasts. Flutes is a seasoned DM and improvisational performer. Both of these subclasses specialize in creation, so lets see what they can do together! Laudna from Critical Role is a character utilizing this combination. Feb 5, 2016. Similarly, Warlocks can use their multiclass slots to cast Pact Magic spells. This makes Barbarian an ideal pickup class for the tanky, melee Warlock, perhaps one of the Hexblade Patron. Eldritch Mind is a new Invocation from Tashas that helps with Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration. Alternatively, you get another Metamagic option at Level 10, or you could spend more levels on Sorcerer to hoard even more spell slots. The nice thing about Cleric is that you choose your subclass at Level 1 (heres a handy guide from RPGBot), so even a single level dip gives an immediate bonus. Welcome to Flutes exhaustive guide for Bard multiclassing character concepts. Warlocks need some of the best low-level spells, but Pact Magic doesnt work very well with them. These two classes can lend tremendous support to allies at all levels, especially since the Peace Clerics Emboldening Bone scales with your Proficiency Bonus regardless of Cleric levels. Multiclassing in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition has prerequisites that the character must reach before they can take a level in a second class. Unlike other spellcasters, when you multiclass as a Warlock, you keep your Warlock spell slots and track slots for your second class separately instead of merging them. Jared King is a writer and content creator with extensive experience in the fields of gaming and entertainment and now writes as a contributor to CBR. Sorcerer has an even worse hit die than Warlock (d6). 5E Guide: How to Multiclass. At 8th level, sorcerer 5 / warlock 3, you can trade warlock spell slots for 4 sorcery points per long rest. So, it didnt make sense to take more than a few levels in Sorcerer. Armor up, see in the dark, and get advantage on Initiative with the Twilight Cleric. Overall, the biggest benefit of multiclassing into Warlock is simply having more spell slots. With the right combinations, a Bard can become increasingly formidable with multiclassing; armor can bolster defenses, spellcasting can be enhanced, and damage output can be augmented. Now you call upon a patron to grant you sinister power. Hunters Mark can go with Eldritch Blast, but you could also use Hex. So why pick? The best option for your Warlock will be decided largely by the role you intend to play within your party, and the Patron you have chosen. Warlocks also gain proficiency with shields and medium armor from multiclassing into Paladin, so theyre suddenly capable of surviving more fights and entering melee combat. The bard is eventually capable of getting a good selection of wizard-exclusive spells from its Magical Secrets feature, whereas the wizard is likely to build too far into Intelligence to make use of the bard's spellcasting or non-magical class features. The exception would be if I have a fun concept or I want to focus on lower levels of play; after all, most campaigns end by level ten. It can also slow enemies and move them around. RELATED: Every Druid Multiclass Combo In D&D 5e, Ranked. This is the multiclass path to having expertise in as many skills as you could possibly want. Clerics also get subclasses at level one, so some of them will provide massive value for one level of investment. Metamagic is the class feature that lets you mold spells this way and pops up at Level 3. Kinda have an idea for a character who made a deal with a magical being for the power over fire to get vengeance on those who destroyed her village. For this reason, I look to the other Warlock subclasses to see which of them might like what the Valor Bard offers. Dont forget that multiclassing requires minimum ability scores in both new and prior classes (as described on page 163 of the PHB, or page 54 of Eberron RftLW for Artificers). Interests include: endlessly worldbuilding, seducing Strahd, and finding new and strange ways to caffeinate myself. Bards lack the first-level value that other spellcasters provide in multiclassing, but theyre formidable in their own ways with more levels of investment. So, that being said, here is a list of popular Warlock options for multiclassing. Celestial Warlock is more of a secondary healer taking, well, how restricted Pact Magic is into consideration, after all. As a DM, I always make a big effort to accommodate the players desires and storylines, and I encourage all DMs to be flexible and work with their players to provide them with the best experience they can muster. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hold Person/Monster, Banishment, and Mental Prison are great examples of spells that can really benefit from the feature. This kind of variation isnt seen in a lot of other classes that are usually more streamlined into a single role. Builds on Warlocks existing capabilities as the partys face with Expertise and a free skill proficiency. If you wish to invest three additional levels into Bard, youll gain the Mantle of Majesty feature; with it, you can charm someone specifically and get them alone to cast Command on them over and over again as you slay or steal from them. I am once again copying my recommendation for the Assassin Rogue. Flourishes will also boost the damage of your weapon attacks. Summary of subclass features: React with a Bardic Inspiration die to reduce an attack roll, damage roll, or ability check. Needle Blight 5e: What Is It & How Do I Kill It? It can also gain temporary hitpoints while cutting down enemies. Perform a ritual with allies to learn a spell from any spell list with a level equal to the number of participants in the ritual. Your Channel Divinity at Level 2 is usually quite good too, and they cover a wide variety of effects, so you can choose one that suits your playstyle. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Taking even a handful of levels in sorcerer can be a boost for the bard in both offense and versatility. Im given the starting level of 14. As a Warlock looking to multiclass, you can improve your spellcasting or branch out into martial fighting. Extra Attack. However, multiclassing on Warlocks in 5e is fantastic, especially if you only dip one or two levels into Warlock rather than making a primary Warlock with one or two levels in another class. Their versatility comes from the depth and variation of the Warlock Patrons. This is more helpful for hordes than the Hexblades Curse which focuses down a single creature. For example, if you are a Cleric multiclassing as a Rogue, youll need a Wisdom score of 13 or higher, and a Dexterity score of 13 or higher. Warlock features at level six arent worth it, but at level five you get the invocation for Pact of the Blade to essentially get Extra Attack. The Oath of the Watchers demands a Paladin to know the lore about otherworldly monsters, so the Lore Bard is a fine fit! Make a bonus action attack after casting a Bard spell. So if you have 14 levels in Bard and 6 in Sorcerer, youre a level 20 character and can no longer gain EXP or levels as youre maxed out. The Eloquence Bard is very powerful as a support role, and the Life Clerics armor and healing bonuses can only help. Bards are full spellcasters, but they fail to compete with Warlocks and Sorcerers for multiclass dips. Other concepts will include the Warlock as a secondary class with a minority of level investment. A few options to consider: Expertise Dont forget that multiclassing requires minimum ability scores in both new and prior classes (as described on page 163 of the PHB, or page 54 of Eberron RftLW for Artificers). Theres no way I can cover every combination for this subclass, but Ill share some favorites. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. I love the Conquest Paladin, so I appreciate multiclass ideas that feed into its fear tactics. Taking levels of Warlock enables a coffee-lock build that is a common multiclass concept; it involves using Pact Magic from the Warlock to recharge Sorcery Points. Clerics best class features come at high levels, and therefore Cleric is strongest as a solo class. He brings fresh perspectives on game mechanics, group dynamics, and roleplaying insights for all TTRPG enthusiasts. Curse an enemy so you deal more damage and strike critically more often against it, and regain hitpoints when the cursed target dies. Notes: This subclass is notoriously bad, and it was basically reworked as the Undead Warlock (see above) from VGtR. In short, yes, you get spell slots and spells known from each class individually as if you were single-classed. This is an optimal build that gives armor, shields, Eldritch Blast, Invocations (Agonizing Blast), and subclass perks from the Hexblade. Will provide some bonus that cant be found through other means. This combination offers excellent synergies if youre willing to pass up the more powerful spells of the eighth and ninth levels. Youve lived in the dark, studied with the Drow, and learned how to weave their dark magic into your arrows. . Multiclassing is when your character takes levels in two separate classes. One of the challenges of being a Swashbuckler is trying to beef up your Charisma in addition to other Rogue stats like Dexterity. Power build! In part, this is due to complementary spellcasting. This is when your Bardic Inspiration die upgrades to a d8, and you start regaining those Inspirations on a short rest. Having worked his way up from burger flipper to a manager in a successful restaurant, he decided to take the plunge and pursue his passion of writing and creating full time, which he continues to this day in many forms of media across the internet. It might sound disappointing to not go for Hexblade in this build, but this concept has its own benefits. Druid Multiclassing D&D 5e: Best Practices, Character Concepts, and Inspirational Mulch , multiclassing requires minimum ability scores, content on multiclassing in our other articles, class-level multiclassing combinations article. This character is a know-it-all, sporting plenty of skill proficiencies, heaps of Expertise, and a Channel Divinity to instantly gain proficiency in something theyre not already skilled with. The biggest benefit Warlocks get from Clerics is a diversified spell list. The goal was not to remove multiclassing but to rebalance the game so that multiclassing was no longer necessary to achieve the most effective base power. This is separate from your character level in that your character level is the summation of your class levels, to a maximum of 20. Blade Flourishes can scale up along with your spellcasting to become a powerful Bard. For starters, each Patron grants the Warlock a unique expanded spell list. Paladin oaths must not be broken, but you broke yours when you died. Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options, depending on the type of genie they choose, that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them (eventually having Wish as an option). Spike Growth becomes available to a Dao Genie Warlock, so you can still use fun battlefield control tactics while knocking enemies around Eldritch Blast. 2 Levels of Warlock gets you Invocations and two short-rest spell slots, as well as a number of good spells like Hellish Rebuke, Armor of Agathys, and Hex. The Sorcerer multiclass can really be used with just about any Warlock subclass because the synergy of the two classes is just that strong. Expertise in Stealth allows you to sneak about reliably. Many classes benefit more from multiclassing than from investing twenty levels in a single class. Get the Spare the Dying cantrip and advantage on saving throws against disease. You can read more about this build in Opals article about it. Gain temporary hitpoints when reducing enemies to zero hitpoints. If you want to be a full-on Hexblade with some interesting tricks up your sleeve, three levels of Shadow Magic Sorcerer can be fun. With that concept in mind, I also thought about a warlock ranger as well, any thoughts? Perform weapon attacks with your Charisma instead of your Strength or Dexterity (with some limitations that can be lifted with Pact of the Blade). However, the real meat of the multiclass comes from how effectively the bard can use Divine Smite. Your main weapon should be a polearm so you can utilize its reach property. These rankings are meant to help you create an optimized class build, but rememberDnD isnt a game where you need to win to have fun. Guidance & help (as a bonus action)? However, you can always choose your favorite class or a class that is more representative of your characters roleplay. Other concepts will include the Bard as a secondary class with little level investment. First is, obviously, what role youre intending to fill in your team. The idea here is to become a master manipulator. Better options exist for this concept, but if you want access to Cleric spells like Spirit Guardians in addition to melee attacks that are based on the quantity of damage on a single attack rather than spread-out damage with multiple attacks, this combination is ok. Youll get Warlock invocations and several smiting spells from the Hexblade Warlock. This character has delved into elemental runes and made a pact with a Dao. Bards have a similar versatility to the Warlock, which makes them an excellent choice for multiclassing. Stuff like armor of agathys or mirror image. With just one level in Warlock with The Hexblade patron, youll be able to attack with your finesse weapon using Charisma instead of Dexterity or Strength for your weapons attack and damage rolls. Form of Dread pairs well with your Fey Wanderer features involving fear. Radiant damage spells can also come in handy, however not as hard-hitting after getting Elemental Adept: Fire. Certain cleric Domains give heavy armor proficiency with a single level, which is a vast improvement over what most bards get. Grab someones shadow when they die so you can impersonate them and learn information from the departed. A solid feature that does its job well. Similar to the Warlock, Sorcerers get their subclass at level one. These two subclasses are thematically synergistic, both taking power from the Shadowfell, Domains of Dread, and otherworldly creatures of darkness. Barbarian and Fighter both make you better at combat, but neither synergize well with your abilities. Learn a greater version of Evards Black Tentacles that gives you temporary hitpoints and cant have its concentration ended by damage taken. Not game-breaking, and certainly replaceable, but a strong choice that shores up some weakness. Metamagic: Quickened Spell and Metamagic: Twinned Spell will allow you to fire off a ton of Eldritch Blasts. Im referencing the DMG p.268 for pricing and mechanics for firearms, gunpowder, and more. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards.Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. Swim and breathe underwater. Sounds fun! Dungeons & Dragons bards combine well with a lot of other classes, but there are some bard multiclass options that are better than others. Warlocks usually need to save them for big effects, so having more slots makes utility spells and damage or save-or-suck spells with only one target much better. This is a Multiclassing guide as a tool for beginners and seasoned players alike. The biggest downside for multiclassing into Paladin is that Smite only works on melee weapons, so youll have to enter combat far more often than normal. Youll be using Metamagic for Twinned Spell to deal a lot of damage with Eldritch Blast. Continue with Recommended Cookies. All you need is your bow and a target worthy of your attention. I easily reimagine the Fiend Warlock as being psionic in nature, evidenced by its abilities that dont necessarily need to be tied to fiends. Sorcerers benefit from any class that improves the characters armor proficiencies. You dont need to eat, drink, or breathe. Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them. Cleric has very good class features at higher levels, but unfortunately youll never reach them when multiclassing. Therefore, the best class to match with the bard is easily the rogue. This combinations gimmich is to resist all damage when Raging. Undead Warlock levels can give you the classic Eldritch Blast with Invocations plus Form of Dread! Updated 8th of September, by Isaac Williams: Multiclassing is one of the best ways to customize a character in Fifth Edition, but it's also a double-edged sword that can hamstring a character's effectiveness. Extra Attack. You could treat the multiclassing as a mere mechanical change. You are the animal whisperer because you gain a familiar from Pact of the Chain, at-will Speak with Animals with the Beast Speech invocation, and max healing in your familiars presence with the Gift of the Ever-Living Ones invocation. You can use Sanctuary Vessel at Warlock level ten to short rest in ten minutes, meaning you can crank out runes and Action Surge fairly often. Other concepts will include the Warlock as a secondary class with a minority of level investment. Bards are one of the most fun classes to play in Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition, with the ability to excel in all aspects of the game in a way that few others can match. Picking a class can be hard. More bonus dice means you help your party that much more often.