Guide:Gish (Spellblades): Difference between revisions

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==Wisdom as your main Spellcasting modifier.==
==Wisdom as your main Spellcasting modifier.==
Somewhat uniquely to Wisdom builds, you can substitute any Fighter levels for equal Ranger levels, which will still give you Extra Attack at level 5 and a fighting style, but will give you more spell slots in the process.  I'm going to include Fighter as the default, but keep in mind that for all of these builds that Ranger is a worthwhile alternative, even if I don't call it out specifically.  
Somewhat uniquely to Wisdom builds, you can substitute any Fighter levels for equal Ranger levels, which will still give you Extra Attack at level 5 and a fighting style, but will give you more spell slots in the process.  I'm going to include Ranger as the default, but keep in mind that for all of these builds that Fighter is a worthwhile alternative, even if I don't call it out specifically.  In case you needed reminding, of course; I think most people know how strong Fighter is at this point.


Likewise, Shillelagh allows you to use your wisdom modifier for attack rolls, but does seem to significantly limit the amount of damage you do, restricting damage rolls to 1d8, instead of whatever modifiers it would normally have.  It can be a nice option to have in a pinch, especially if you have other additive, on-hit effects, but it's going to pale in comparison to more focused weapon or MAD builds, especially anything with '''Great Weapon Master.'''  I wouldn't lean on Shillelagh if you don't have to.  That being said, most AoE spells work off of Spell Saves rather than Attack Rolls, so you can still hit relatively consistently even with less than optimal Wisdom investment.  Not always ideal, but something to think about.
Likewise, Shillelagh allows you to use your wisdom modifier for attack rolls, but does seem to significantly limit the amount of damage you do, restricting damage rolls to 1d8, instead of whatever modifiers it would normally have.  It can be a nice option to have in a pinch, especially if you have other additive, on-hit effects, but it's going to pale in comparison to more focused weapon or MAD builds, especially anything with '''Great Weapon Master.'''  I wouldn't lean on Shillelagh if you don't have to.  That being said, most AoE spells work off of Spell Saves rather than Attack Rolls, so you can still hit relatively consistently even with less than optimal Wisdom investment.  Not always ideal, but something to think about.
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'''5-6 Fighter + 5-6 Cleric + 1 Druid:''' Extra Attack + Action Surge from Fighter, War Priest from '''War Domain,''' and Shillelagh from Druid. Use your bonus actions to heal yourself and start swinging.
'''5-6 Ranger + 5-6 Cleric + 0-1 Druid:''' Extra Attack from Ranger, War Priest for '''War Domain.'''  Use your bonus actions to heal yourself and start swinging.
*Take 6 levels of Fighter if you want the extra feat.
*Take 6 levels of Fighter instead of Ranger if you want the extra feat.
*Druid is not at all necessary if you choose to invest in Str or Dex, or if you use an Elixir of Hill/Cloud Giant Strength.  However, if you do want to use Shillelagh and invest in Wisdom for better healing, Ironwood Club and Ironvine Shield can be a really interesting way of bolstering your damage with a single handed weapon, while still benefiting from the extra AC of a shield.
*Druid is not at all necessary if you choose to invest in Strength or Dexterity, or if you use an Elixir of Hill/Cloud Giant Strength.  However, if you do want to use Shillelagh and invest in Wisdom for better healing, Ironwood Club and Ironvine Shield can be a really interesting way of bolstering your damage with a single handed weapon, while still benefiting from the extra AC of a shield.
*This build in particular pairs well with '''Broodmother's Revenge''' for even more bonus damage, or '''Shattered Flail / Sword of Chaos''' for extra healing.
*This build in particular pairs well with '''Broodmother's Revenge''' for even more bonus damage, or '''Shattered Flail / Sword of Chaos''' for extra healing.


'''11 Druid + 1 Cleric / 6 Druid + 5 Fighter + 1 Cleric:''' An alternative of the above build, this build takes single level of '''Life Domain''' Cleric for '''Disciple of Life''' and Heavy Armor proficiency. This is a better setup for a summoner Gish build, as this will make your (relatively) weak AoE healing spells significantly strongerSave your spell slots for support and/or summoning, basically.  
 
'''11-12 Cleric + 0-1 Druid / 6-7 Cleric + 5 Ranger + 0-1 Druid:''' An alternative of the above build, this build is going to perform much better as a summoner than as a true spellblade.  Take '''Life Domain''' Cleric for '''Disciple of Life''' and Heavy Armor proficiency. Ranger for Extra Attack, if you want itDruid for Shillelagh, if you want it.  
*Pair with '''The Reviving Hands''' or '''Hellrider's Pride''' for more support.
*Pair with '''The Reviving Hands''' or '''Hellrider's Pride''' for more support.


'''10 Druid + 2 Fighter / 6 Druid + 6 Fighter:''' This build plays a lot like an Eldritch Knight, using melee attacks to build up '''Arcane Synergy''' and then cashing in with reliable spells. Both '''Circle of the Moon''' and '''Circle of the Spores''' are good here, but play differently.  A Wild Shape version of this build will spend a lot of time shapeshifted, only switching out for spells, basically, while a Spore druid version will be weaving spells with auto attacks more, uh, naturally. 
 
'''10 Druid + 2 Ranger / 5-7 Druid + 5-6 Ranger:''' This build plays a lot like an Eldritch Knight, using melee attacks to build up '''Arcane Synergy''' and then cashing in with reliable AoE spells.  
*I need to test how '''Arcane Synergy''' works with '''Wild Shape.'''
*I need to test how '''Arcane Synergy''' works with '''Wild Shape.'''
*'''Circle of the Spores''' Druids gain what is probably their subclass defining ability at level 6.


'''6 Druid + 6 Monk:''' As a martial class, Monk gains extra attack at level 5.  '''Circle of Spores''' Druid gives you temporary hit points and bonus damage on melee hits.  In addition, you can use a reaction to do spell damage or raise a corpse. While you can definitely run '''Way of the Four Elements''' for spells, I find that '''Way of the Open Fist''' is just better (big surprise) and the Druid component gives you enough options to feel like more than just a pure striker class.  
'''6 Druid + 6 Monk:''' As a martial class, Monk gains extra attack at level 5.  '''Circle of Spores''' Druid gives you temporary hit points and bonus damage on melee hits.  In addition, you can use a reaction to do spell damage or raise a corpse. While you can definitely run '''Way of the Four Elements''' for spells, I find that '''Way of the Open Fist''' is just better (big surprise), and the Druid component gives you enough options to feel like more than just a pure striker class.  
*While its almost obligatory to mention a single fighter level, I do feel like the bonuses you get from that sixth level of Monk is more useful.  
*While its almost obligatory to mention a single fighter level, I do feel like the bonuses you get from that sixth level of Monk is more useful.  
*If you are concerned about optimization for '''Way of the Four Elements,''' just use Shillelagh.
 


'''5 Monk + 3 Rogue + 2 Druid + 2 Fighter:''' This is basically a pure striker in all but name only, but I wanted to mention it anyway.  Extra Attack + Fast Hands + Symbiotic Entity + Action Surge combines persistent on-hit damage with multiple attacks per turn.  Use your reaction to ping an enemy with '''Halo of Spores.'''  I don't know if it's good, but it's a build.  Just don't get hit, I guess.
'''5 Monk + 3 Rogue + 2 Druid + 2 Fighter:''' This is basically a pure striker in all but name only, but I wanted to mention it anyway.  Extra Attack + Fast Hands + Symbiotic Entity + Action Surge combines persistent on-hit damage with multiple attacks per turn.  Use your reaction to ping an enemy with '''Halo of Spores.'''  I don't know if it's good, but it's a build.  Just don't get hit, I guess.
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