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WithBaldur’s Gate 3’s final big patch, theBladesingermakes their proud and overdue debut into the lineup of the strongest subclasses available in the vanilla. Bragging a huge field of versatility, there are few other subclasses that can go toe-to-toe with the Bladesinger’s malleable style.
While there are many options to build a Bladesinger, the strongest builds will lean into the Bladesinger’s special feat: Bladesong. Without requiring an action or bonus action, the Bladesinger can become an unhittable, damage-dealing striker that puts other frontline units to shame.
Best Bladesinging Wizard Races And Backgrounds
Mobility and resistances are importantfor a class that is going to be spending a lot of time running as a group’s striker (that is, acting as a frontline attacker).
Functionally,the best races for the Bladesinger are:
You can also elect to take aTiefling or Dragonbornfor the free resist against one damage type.
For Backgrounds, you’ll wantBackgrounds featuring an Intelligence skill:
Choosing the Dark Urge is not necessarily recommended for this build. You will receive certain bonuses that are helpful to any build, but Bladesinger does not benefit from a Dark Urge more than any other.
Multiclassing As A Bladesinging Wizard
Multiclassing a Bladesinger can really hurt its effectiveness. It comes at the cost of fewer Bladesong charges and losing access to higher-level spells.
It is not generally recommended to multiclass the Bladesinger, but there isone potential class destined for greatness:
One level dip into Hexblade Warlock
By dipping a single level into Hexblade Warlock, you’ll be able touse your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity with your melee weapon.Additionally, your hits will deal extra damage, and you may heal.
This multiclass will render using the Infernal Rapier unnecessary. This will give you the ability to instead use a Longsword, like Phalar Aluve, for a different but equally devastating build. This, however, will mean that you will want a different Ability Score spread than the one we have provided below.
Six
Eyebite: Asleep,Otto’s Irresistible Dance,Wall of Ice
Although the Bladesinging Wizard can have up to Level Six spells,it really only needs spells up to the third level. You’ll find yourself rarely using higher-level spells and more often enjoying the extra spell slots.
Your cantrip selection should includeShocking Graspfor the ability to run away and cancel reaction attacks against you, whileBooming Blade will give you some critical extra damage.
Leveling up,you’ll want Mage Armor for extra protection(if you’re playing a Dexterity build)and Shield for emergencies.
Damage spells at the first level are not necessarily needed.Magic Missilewill help with the Auntie Ethel fight, andChromatic Orbwill have its uses destroying pesky sentries, but you should save any other damaging spells for being learned via gold and spell scrolls.
As you continue into the second spells,you’ll have two main priorities:
The second is easily taken care of withMisty Step.
While you do have access toBlur- and it can certainly also be useful -we found more success withMirror Imageas it does not require Concentration to maintain, leaving you free for other Concentration spells.
Finally, the bread-and-butter of the build is evened out with your third-level spells.
Hastewill give you additional AC while allowing you to bring the hurt as a striker. As this build is vulnerable to spell attacks that use DC instead of To Hit mechanics,Counterspellshould be prepared as well.
Finally,Glyph of Wardingwill allow you to play the field. We found a good strategy was to use the Sleep option, narrowing down threats that might overwhelm the Bladesinger.
We also found ourselves using Slow very often in this build. This plays well in a team setting with multiple high-HP enemies, cutting their movement speed and options drastically.
The late wizard levels matter far less. Staying a wizard at higher levels is done solely for the benefits of the subclass’s features and not necessarily spells.
You will have a lot of versatility, however, andthe following spells will cover baseswhere the Bladesinger might face challenges:
8
–
16
18
14
23
20
Ability Score Improvement +2, +1 Mirror of Loss, +1 Auntie Ethel
10
11
+1 Mirror of Loss
This build primarily sets its sights onincreasing Intelligencein preparation to use as a modifier for theInfernal Rapier, casting your Wizard spells, and increasing your bonuses from Bladesong.
Dexterity will give this build an amazing start with weapons beforehand while increasing AC.Constitution is a mustfor maintaining important spells later on, such asHaste.
If you’re a character who will be spending a lot of time talking, you can swap out Constitution for Charisma as needed. It is a risky endeavour, but it is a manageable one with this build’s high AC.
As you begin your journey as a Bladesinging Wizard, you’ll be asked which weapon you wish to be proficient in.
For the purposes of this specific build, you’ll want tochoose the Rapier.
Your first upgrade at Level 4 should be given to the feat: Defensive Duelist.This will increase your survivability without having to use spell slots on your Shield spell.
You’ll have another upgradeat Level 8 and 12, and these should beAbility Score Upgrades for Intelligence first and then Dexterity.
you may switch Defensive Duelist or your Dexterity upgrade for the Alert Feat if you find yourself in higher-levels of difficulty too far down in the turn order too frequently.
Hood of the Weave
3
Gain +2 to your Spell Attacks and Spell Save DC.
Sold or dropped by Mystic Cambion in Philgrave’s Mansion.
Obsidian Laced Robe
2
Gain resistance to Fire damage and deal 1d4 Fire damage to an enemy in response to succeeding against their spell’s Saving Throw.
Moon Devotion Robe (Dark Urge or Evil)
While usingMage Armour, all successful saving throws deal the enemy caster 1d4 Radiant Damage. Acquire Advantage on Constitution Saving Throws, +1 to all Saving Throws, and the Lunar Bulwark spell.
Robe of the Weave
Gain +1 to spell attack rolls and Spell Save DC. When saving against a spell, the wearer also regains 1d6 health.
Found in the Ramazith Tower. Mustcomplete the puzzleto free it fromGlobe of Invulnerability.
Daredevil Gloves
Allows the casting of ranged spell attacks as melee attacks when adjacent to enemies. Gain +1 to spell attack rolls.
Disintegrating Night Walkers(optional)
1
Gain free cast ofMisty Stepand cannot slip. Wearer cannot be Enwebbed, Ensnared, or Entangled.
Helldusk Boots
Cannot be forcibly moved and ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain. Additionally, gain the ability to auto-succeed on a Saving Throw you failed and to teleport while dealing 2d8 Fire damage where you land in a 3m radius.
Cloak of Displacement (For Avoidance)
Enemies have disadvantage on attacks made against you until you take damage.
Sold by Danthelon in Rivington at Danthelon’s Dancing Axe (the Harper’s Sanctuary).
Cloak of the Weave (For Damage)
Gain +1 to spell attack rolls and Spell Save DC. When taking elemental damage, take half damage and deal 1d6 of that damage type on your next attack.
Ring of Arcane Synergy
Gain 2 turns of Arcane Synergy after you deal damage with a cantrip.
Strange Conduit Ring
Deal +1d4 Psychic damage with weapon attacks while concentrating on a spell.
Inside a chest in the Inquisitor’s Chamber in Rosymorn Monastery Creche.
Necklace of Elemental Augmentation
Allows you to add your spellcasting modifier to the damage dealt with cantrips.
Inside a display case in the Inquisitor’s Chamber in Rosymorn Monastery Creche.
Amulet of Greater Health
Set your Constitution to 23 and gain advantage on Concentration saving throws.
Deal extra 1d4 Psychic damage on every hit.
Chosen reward forsaving Ambassador Florrickfrom the burning building at Waukeen’s Rest.
Infernal Rapier
Use your spellcasting modifier instead of your Strength or Dexterity for weapon hits and damage. Additionally, gain a +1 to your Spell Save DC and the ability to summon a Cambion ally.
Found in the depths under Moonrise Tower as a reward for freeing Mizora. You must bring Wyll with you to receive this weapon.
Duelist’s Prerogative
+3 Legendary rapier. Grants ability to cast Challenge to Duel, -1 to your Critical Hit requirement, and +1 Attack and Reaction per turn. When striking with this weapon, you can add Necrotic damage equal to your proficiency bonus on a strike in return for a Reaction.
Given as a reward from Lora forsaving Vanra from Auntie Ethel.
Gain +1 to your initiative.
Sold by Roah Moonglow at any of her multiple locations. Sells this earliest at the Goblin Camp in Act One.
Gontr Mael
Gives free five-turnHastewith no downsides (this is the focus on this build), a cast ofGuiding Boltwith each attack, and Bolt of Celestial Light special ability.
Loot reward fordefeating the Steel Watcher Titanat the Steel Watch Foundry.
The Bladesinger’s primary focus is on obtaining and using theInfernal Rapier.This will allow the Intelligence score to be used with your weapon.
After reaching deep into Act Three,you may wish to switch outyour Infernal Rapier for the Duelist’s Prerogative. This, however, is not necessary for the build.
Around your weapon,you’ll want two things:
Additionally,theAmulet of Greater Healthis highly useful in that it will ensure that you’ll both fix the squishiness of your wizard while ensuring your concentration spells are not prematurely ended.
If you enjoy using mods, now officially supported, with your gameplay, and wish to keep this build but want a different weapon, we suggest using the “Phalar Aluve as a Rapier” mod. We had tremendous fun with it in this build, and it felt very thematic.
8 (-1)
18 (+4)
23 (+6)
20 (+5)
10 (0)
122
16-32
22
Haste, Shield,Mirror Image,Mage Armour,Counterspell
Feats
Defensive Duelist, Fleet of Foot, Extra Attack, Bladesong, Song of Defence, Training in War and Song, Fey Ancestry
As a striking magic unit, the Bladesinger will be spending a lot of time in melee with other units. However, until the third act, the Bladesinger suffers from a slightly squishy stature.
WithoutCounterspell,it can be weak to the effects of mental spellslikeFearorConfusion, making it a must-have in the midgame.
A successful Bladesinger willcome prepared to any fight withMage Armouralready equipped.
During your first round of combat, you’ll want toprepare your defenses:
With all your buffs on, you’re looking at as high as 32 AC. There are very few units in the game that can strike you with such a number, so it’s generally safe to move your wizard into frontline combat at this point. You should ideally target ranged units that would have disadvantage against hitting you in melee range.
As youconcentrate on Haste(or perhaps another Concentration spell, should the need arise), you’ll be able to deal additional damage with your weapon attacks.
However,your first attack should always be a cantrip spell- either aRay of FrostorBone Chillwhile approaching or aShocking Graspin melee. This will activate your Arcane Synergy.
Throughout combat,every third round should have a cantrip spell casted.
Although Song of Defence will help your survival in later levels,you’ll likely need to retreat from certain situationsin the early and mid-game. In such an event,use Shocking Grasp to retreat.
Otherwise, you canuse Bladesong Climax to heal yourselfas needed (ending your Bladesong).
For maximum effect, you may detonate Bladesong near the end of combat or on your final turn of Bladesong to deal a large amount of damage as a Bonus Action.
As necessary, you can swap between the frontlines and back of your party.The field will dictate where your Bladesinger would be most suited.
With so many buffing spells,you may even have your Bladesinger relinquish controlof the frontlines to another character that might be better for the situation.
No matter where you are or who you face, your Bladesinger’s versatility will mean you’ll always have a path around any obstacle.
