User:Chutiste/Blade of Frontiers
I wanted to make a build that actually uses Wyll's special features:
- Wyll has the Blade special passive to grant him proficiency in rapiers
- the Infernal Rapier scales off of spellcasting ability
Neither of these things is directly relevant for the standard Pact of the Blade build. Wyll only needs the bonus proficiency for levels 1 and 2, because Warlock doesn't have martial weapons, but from level 3 can bind any weapon and be proficient in it. By the time he gets his hands on the infernal rapier, he's already using Charisma for melee attacks, and unless he takes the Dual Wielder feat can't make use of binding a secondary weapon. Granting him a weapon that is mostly useless is diabolical!
So, the build has to avoid getting rapier or martial weapon proficiency from another source, and can't rely on weapon binding for either Charisma scaling or proficiency. That means the build can't have any levels in Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger, and can't start as either Bard or Rogue.
Could just make him a different subclass of Warlock, but although Chain would be funny it doesn't seem very bladelike. Once I realised that swords bards don't receive rapier proficiency when multiclassed into, that seemed like the obvious choice.
Wyll's Default Abilities: 8 13 14 13 10 17
One of Larian's worst companion spreads. Not only does it have three odd stats but it used the +1 on a low score, leaving a point on the table.
Nonetheless, I've always admired lore-friendly builds that don't mess with the stats or assume a certain permanent bonus, so this is what I'm working with.
This philosophy also makes him a good candidate for the Gloves of Dexterity, which will help his AC as well as pre-rapier attacks.
Build: Lockbard 2/10, no respecs required
Level 1 - Warlock 1 Fiend, EB, Friends, Hellish Rebuke, Agathys
Level 2 - Warlock 2 Agonising Blast, Mage Armour
Level 3 - Bard 1
Level 4 - Bard 2
Level 5 - Bard 3 Swords! This nicely gives Wyll a power boost at level 5, right on schedule. Can choose either fighting style, depending on whether you prefer a shield or an offhand attack.
Level 6 - Bard 4 Our first feat. Originally I took an ASI to even out Dex/Cha, but hang tight for gearing. Dual Wielder lets us add an offhand finesse weapon. It's a shame that rapiers aren't light!
Level 7 - Bard 5
Level 8 - Bard 6 Second attack, possibly right around when we get our hands on the infernal rapier in Act 2.5
Level 9 - Bard 7
Level 10 - Bard 8
Level 11 - Bard 9
Level 12 - Bard 10 Magical Secrets, which has got to be the only reason to stick to Bard for the rest of the way. An extra counterspell in the party will be nice.
Playstyle
I'd originally thought to do a pure melee build, with no EB, but Wyll has an abysmal melee attack stat. He's going to need all the blasting he can muster to get through Act 1 and reach the Creche.
Gear
Early game melee: any of the Rapiers, any shield ranged: Hunting Shortbow (1 Dammon) is on theme, given the monster hunter he'd like to be
Act 1
Act 1.5
Act 2
Act 2.5