Building a Bladesinger Wizard in D&D 5E
Wondering how to build a Bladesinger Wizard in D&D 5E? The bladesinger is one of the most popular Gish subclasses in the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and it’s not hard to see why. The simplistic Wizard archetype strikes the perfect balance between spellcasting and melee combat, making it the perfect option for any player that loves playing the classic gish character.
Feats
You may not have noticed, but bladesinger Wizards can actually cast spells in armour. While this may not seem like a big deal, it’s a huge advantage when compared to bladesingers in other classes who can’t cast spells while wearing armour. As a gish, you’ll want to prioritise feats that enhance the Wizard class’s spellcasting abilities.
Elven Accuracy is essential for a bladesinger with a high intelligence, as it allows you to cast spells in armour without disadvantage. If you don’t plan on taking Elven Accuracy, you may want to consider the Resilient (CON) feat to increase your hit points, at the expense of your armour being less effective. Mobile gives you the opportunity to dash between enemies, which is especially helpful for a bladesinger in melee combat. Finally, War Caster allows you to cast spells while wearing armour without disadvantage, which is crucial for a bladesinger who plans to cast spells while in melee range.
Cantrips
The beauty of the bladesinger is that they can deal damage with their spells while in melee combat. Cantrips like Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade deal damage in AoE and line shapes, respectively. Both of these spells can be cast while in melee range and can be used to deal extra spell damage when attacking an enemy.
Leveled Spells
Bladesingers with Elven Accuracy rely on Find Familiar for the majority of their damage, as the familiars can attack from range and deal a significant amount of damage. Shadow Blade is another solid choice for bladesingers who don’t plan to take Elven Accuracy, as the invisibility can be used to sneak up on enemies for a surprise critical hit.
Shield is a crucial defensive spell for bladesingers, as it can absorb damage and protect you from a potentially fatal blow. Absorb Elements is another beneficial cantrip to have in your repertoire, as it can be used to mitigate the damage of elemental attacks, like fire and acid.
Healing Spirit, Firebolt, Ice Knife, Magic Stone, Minor Illusion, Shield, Thunderwave, Earth Tremor, Lightning Bolt, Shatter, Blade of Disaster, and Conjure Barrage are all great spells for bladesingers at different levels, each providing unique benefits in combat.
Haste, Fly, Greater Invisibility, Concentration, Blade Barrier, Hold Monster, Slow, and Wall of Force
Conjure Barrage and Blade of Disaster offer some great late-game spells for bladesingers, but these options may not be viable early on in your campaign. Consider taking the following spells at the appropriate level instead:
Blade Barrier is a great defensive spell to cast before charging into combat, while Hold Monster is a great alternative to the 8th-level spell Blade Barrier, as it can incapacitate a single enemy for a long period of time. Slow can be used to dramatically lower an enemy’s movement speed, which can be the difference between an enemy making it to you or not. Wall of Force is a great option for higher-level play if you’re concerned about your enemies breaking through your Blade Barrier.
With these tips, you’re ready to embark on your bladesinging journey and create the ultimate gish character in Dungeons & Dragons. Remember, Bladesingers are still Wizards, so make sure you focus on your spellcasting abilities. If you’re looking to create a team of gishes, be sure to check out our D&D 5E gish guide to create an entire group of Bladesingers, Bladeslingers, Bladespellers, and Bladespurs.
