Patch 8 Bladesinger Theorycrafting/Buildcrafting/Geekouting

Well, that was exciting, innit? Patch 8 leak earlier today (and finally us console peasants got something first, even if it was by accident lol)

We now know a lot more about Larian's actual intended implementation of all the new subclasses -- but I actually don't care about any of those, all I know is Bladesinger Bladesinger Bladesinger.

What do we know?

  • Bladesong apparently takes an action. Could still end up as bonus action but still good either way (UPDATE: nope, as of the Stress test, it appears to be a free action like Precision Attack ot Fiendish Resilience)
  • it lasts 10 turns
  • it adds your INT modifiier to your AC, your CON saving throws, your movement speed/distance and gives advantage on Acrobatics (UPDATE: apparently the Larian's version use the Proficiency Bonus instead of the entire INT modifier)
  • it ONLY works with one-handed BLADED weapons (so no Shillelagh shenanigans sadly for me) - sickles, scimitars, longswords, etc
  • you CAN dual wield as long as both weapons meet Bladesong criteria as above
  • more importantly, it does not work with quarterstaffs at all which means Bladesong is incompatible with the Spellsparkler Magic Missile build
  • it does work excellently well with the Phalar Aluve Shriek
  • which means, if you want lightning charges as a Bladesinger, you either use the Sparkle Hands gloves or the Joltshooter bow (or the Watersparkers, I suppose)
  • Bladesong works with the Elven Chain armor. It doesNOT work with the Helldusk Armor
  • oh and they're adding Booming Blade!

Given everything we now know (or at least can now say with some confidence), what builds does this enable?

(UPDATE: NO LONGER VALID)For starters, you will be able to spend most of Act 2 rocking absurdly high AC in fights. Consider: with an INT ASI to get you to INT 19, grab the Dark Lady Erudition buff and you get to spend most of Act 2 rocking INT 24, the highest INT you can ever have in BG3 without mods (UPDATE: Sadly this is not the case. Bladesong uses your Proficiency Bonus and that tops out at 4)

Update: This means early game, Mage Armor + Dex 16 + Bracers of Defense = AC 18. Bladesong with Proficiency Bonus of 2 puts you at 20. Not bad but not great. However, with a Cleric/Paladin dip or some camp caster cheese, you can add Shield of Faith and Warding Bond to raise those numbers by +3

Protecty Sparkswall robe is also nice with an extra +1 AC if you have Lightning Charges. Watersparkers and a Nature Cleric dip for Create Water might actually make this viable)

Mid-game, now things are getting really fun. You've gotten your first feat, most likely Dual Wielder or an INT ASI, added the Hag Hair to your INT.

  • Mage Armor = 13 AC
  • Graceful Cloth or Dex Gloves = AC 17
  • Cloak of Protection = AC 18
  • Evasive Shoes = AC 19
  • Bracers of Defense = AC 21
  • Bladesong = AC 24 (proficiency bonus +3)

That doesn't even include other AC-boosting gear like Mol's Ring or the Twilight Ring. Or Haste. Or, again, taking a Cleric/Paladin dip and casting Shield of Faith.

It gets pretty crazy.

Possible build/multiclass ideas:

Dex-focused Bladesinger 6 Paladin 6 wearing the Robes of Supreme Defense with Bladesong running while concentrating on, say, Haste (or Shield of Faith.) Result?

Thanks to itemization and the strong bias toward charisma casters in this game, it's very easy to be int 20 and Charisma 20 (Birthright + Mirror of Loss) AND dex 18 (Gloves of Dexterity)

That means, you would be adding your Proficiency Bonus (+4) to your AC and to your CON while simultaneously adding your CHA (+5) to ALL your saving throws including CON. So you have unbreakable concentration, obscenely high AC that can spike even higher AND you can smite like a mofo, possibly using your INT and/or CHA depending on how the finer details of multiclassing Bladesinger work out

Early game, Light Cleric 1 Bladesinger X is fantastic if you like being high-AC super-early. Solo the Goblin camp untouched! Get right up in the Bulette's and Minotaur faces and dare them to do something, b***h!

Shield of Faith + Bracers of Defense + Mage Armor + Bladesong + casting Shield OR Warding Flare when things get spicy = absolute first thing I'm going to try the instant patch 8 drops.

Obviously Draconic Sorcerer X Bladesinger X saves you having to cast Mage Armor which is nice.