Build my multiclass -- Bard? Paladin? Warlock?

[Hexprone]

I haven't played early access at all, but I'm all set to buy the second the full release is out, and I've busily daydreaming about what my build will be.

Based on flavor, I'm going to be a sort of Faerie Knight gish -- with two out of a possible three classes -- Oath of Ancients Paladin, Archfey Warlock, or some kind of Bard.

But...which two?

And what's the best way to split up the levels? I know Paladins get a big class feature at level 7 -- does that make it worth it to take 7 or 8 levels of Paladin and just 4 or 5 of the subclass? Or do I stick with 6/6?

Or ditch Paladin altogether and go Bardlock? What's my play?

[Runic Tunic]

If you want a Fae knight gish, best imo would be Paladin/Archfey Warlock multiclass. Common build but you're basically King Arthur.

Bardlock is also good, but probably more range oriented unless you choose College of Swords and Pact of the blade, which isn't really what you're looking for. Also not sure how well those would mesh vs other multiclass options.

EDIT: https://www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/mw75g0/an_oath_of_the_ancientarchfey_multiclass_aka_i_am/

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/9rtfjw/ancients_paladin_archfey_warlock/

couple build ideas for Archfey/Ancients

[Edstyles]

I dunno to me it seems you want to 1 lv dip on those classes and thats it

[Hexprone]

Originally posted by Edstiles:

I dunno to me it seems you want to 1 lv dip on those classes and thats it

Like, Paladin 10, Warlock 1, Bard 1?

edit: Runic, thanks for the links! Reading now.

[WeenerTuck813]

Bard doesn’t synergize as well on a multiclass as Pala/lock if you ask me.

I’d go straight bard if u want bard.

Or

Go Pala 8/Warlock 4

[Foolswalkin]

Vengeance will probably get its best feature at level 2. Ancients gets it at 7, at which point 8 for an ASI is worth it. My guess is Vengeance will be an easier oath for my play style, but YMMV.

Bard 10/Paladin 2 can have Extra Attack and very close to full caster (11 out of 12 possible spell slot levels). This makes them uniquely good at fulfilling both melee and caster roles - no other class combo in BG3 is as good at doing both. Extra attack does take 6 levels of bard, though, so you’ll probably want to respec at CL level 6 to get extra attack and then reacquire the Paladin levels.

E: pure bards obviously have more spell slots, but lacking smite their damage plummets considerably.

[Edstyles]

Originally posted by Hexprone:

Originally posted by Edstiles:

I dunno to me it seems you want to 1 lv dip on those classes and thats it

Like, Paladin 10, Warlock 1, Bard 1?

edit: Runic, thanks for the links! Reading now.

Yes

[Edstyles]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Vengeance will probably get its best feature at level 2. Ancients gets it at 7, at which point 8 for an ASI is worth it. My guess is Vengeance will be an easier oath for my play style, but YMMV.

Bard 10/Paladin 2 can have Extra Attack and very close to full caster (11 out of 12 possible spell slot levels). This makes them uniquely good at fulfilling both melee and caster roles - no other class combo in BG3 is as good at doing both. Extra attack does take 6 levels of bard, though, so you’ll probably want to respec at CL level 6 to get extra attack and then reacquire the Paladin levels.

E: pure bards obviously have more spell slots, but lacking smite their damage plummets considerably.

Yes but remember bards have the advantage of learning any spell in the game. Not sure how smites would work tho

[WeenerTuck813]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Vengeance will probably get its best feature at level 2. Ancients gets it at 7, at which point 8 for an ASI is worth it. My guess is Vengeance will be an easier oath for my play style, but YMMV.

Bard 10/Paladin 2 can have Extra Attack and very close to full caster (11 out of 12 possible spell slot levels). This makes them uniquely good at fulfilling both melee and caster roles - no other class combo in BG3 is as good at doing both. Extra attack does take 6 levels of bard, though, so you’ll probably want to respec at CL level 6 to get extra attack and then reacquire the Paladin levels.

E: pure bards obviously have more spell slots, but lacking smite their damage plummets considerably.

Sorcadin is good at both no?

Also, I haven’t tried it but I assume you could like go Warlock/Sorcerer Gish for melee and caster combo

[Foolswalkin]

Originally posted by Edstiles:

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Vengeance will probably get its best feature at level 2. Ancients gets it at 7, at which point 8 for an ASI is worth it. My guess is Vengeance will be an easier oath for my play style, but YMMV.

Bard 10/Paladin 2 can have Extra Attack and very close to full caster (11 out of 12 possible spell slot levels). This makes them uniquely good at fulfilling both melee and caster roles - no other class combo in BG3 is as good at doing both. Extra attack does take 6 levels of bard, though, so you’ll probably want to respec at CL level 6 to get extra attack and then reacquire the Paladin levels.

E: pure bards obviously have more spell slots, but lacking smite their damage plummets considerably.

Yes but remember bards have the advantage of learning any spell in the game. Not sure how smites would work tho

I don’t mean the smite spells. They generally don’t scale/flex cast, and for a bard with extra attacks they show up for the last 3 character levels of the game. They also can’t be used after the fact when you’re critfishing. They have the same name but their use is quite different.

[medicinezombie]

lol be a warlock, your username is "HEXprone"

the other posts have good advice about the pros/cons of different things

[Runic Tunic]

Originally posted by Hexprone:

Originally posted by Edstiles:

I dunno to me it seems you want to 1 lv dip on those classes and thats it

Like, Paladin 10, Warlock 1, Bard 1?

edit: Runic, thanks for the links! Reading now.

There's also many other forum builds out there if the one's I linked aren't doing it for you. So long as it applies to 5e, it should translate to BG3. For the most part anyway.

[Chroniver]

Thinking sorcadin with level 6 in Oath of Vengeance and then rest sorc levels (Gold Dragon or other).

But somewhat doubting that it might be better than pure class because of the level 12 restriction. That's what respec is for tho!

[Foolswalkin]

Originally posted by WeenerTuck813:

Sorcadin is good at both no?

Also, I haven’t tried it but I assume you could like go Warlock/Sorcerer Gish for melee and caster combo

Sorcadin with what split? 8 Pal 4 Sorc? Gets Extra attack, slots at 8th level caster, little extra from Sorc points. Tops out at 2nd level spells.

2 Pal 10 Sorc? No extra attack. Can be quite solid if we get melee cantrips, but notably less good at critfishing.

Sorlock Gish is even more unknown until we discover how Pact of the Blade pans out.

[SneakyGuy]

Same exact decision I have been trying to make but include sorcerer in the mix :)

I'm Going Paladin vengeance 8 Bard lore 4 - not quite sure the sequence of levels definitely start as paladin for armor

But here is how I break down the choice.

What is your priority in your enjoyment of the game? all of this is to some degree subjective as the game has not come out yet

1. Combat focused - Overpowered/smiter/melee - Paladin/warlock
2. Skill check/Dialogue focus tanky( but still powerful ) - Paladin/Bard(lore)
3. Skill check/Dialogue focus caster blaster Bard/Warlock

I am no expert but from what I can see usually go with even level splits 10/2, 8/4, 6/6. Which class with what level gets more intricate decisions.

For myself, given first play through and this game being SO dialogue skill check rich - Paladin vengeance 8 / Bard of lore 4 would seem the ULTIMATE choice for me. Great Melee Ability. Skills galore ! I will hit lore bard early to make use of the skills for as much of the game as I can. In act 1 my party is gonna be a little on the squishy side since ill be rollin with Gale, Astarion, SH. But ill play on normal and I think I can generally over come the squishyness.

The real trade off in any multi class in this game with a level 12 cap is you are going to generally be a little slower to peak and you may have a char that wont shine until sometime in act 2. Unless you go Warlock/Sorcerer - I think that will be kinda OP if there is one OP combo.

my gut says you are leaning Paladin with a Warlock blade pact. And you will change your mind 56 more times until August 3. Just like me! lol