Baldurs Gate 3: Bladesinging Wizard

How to play the Bladesinging subclass in Baldur's Gate 3? In our guide, you will find useful information and guidance about the latest subclass that you can choose for the Wizard. We have listed the main features of the Bladesinging subclass, described how the Blade Song skill works, and prepared tips on how to fight as a Bladesinging character as well as develop them.

• Who is the Bladesinging subclass for?
• Most important features of this subclass
• How to play as a Bladesinging character?

Who is the Bladesinging subclass for?

1. Bladesinging is a mage subclass, which you can unlock at level 2. It will allow you to transform your mage into a talented, agile fencer. At the same time, you will still have access to all the mage's spells, making you highly versatile, capable of both hand-to-hand combat and casting spells. Bladesinging is somewhat reminiscent of Hexblade, a Warlock subclass, but it relies more on full-fledged spells rather than on cantrips.
2. As a Bladesinger, you need Dexterity (Bladesong doesn't work if you wear a shield or medium/heavy armor, so Dexterity is required to increase the armor class) and Intelligence (needed for all mage spells). Constitution is also extremely important (it increases your health and facilitates concentration checks). For a Bladesinger, Dexterity will prove to be more important than Intelligence, so make sure to prioritize it.

Most important features of this subclass

1. Right after choosing a subclass, you will gain proficiency in light armor, in the Performance skill, as well as in several types of weapons: shortswords, longswords, sickles, scimitars, daggers, and rapiers. You will also learn Bladesong, which is the central mechanics of this subclass. Activating a Bladesong costs 1x Bladesong Power. You start out with two charges; this number will increase as you level up. All Bladesong Power charges that you spent regenerate after a long rest.
2. Bladesong lasts 10 turns and invoking it doesn't require using up an action. Active Bladesong gives you many bonuses: +2 to armor class, +3 meters of movement speed, +2 to saving throws for Constitution, and Advantage for Acrobatics checks. Bladesong scales as you level up. At level 5, you will have three charges of Bladesong Power, +3 for armor class and Constitution saving throws. At level 9, you will have four charges of Bladesong Power, +4 for armor class and Constitution saving throws.
3. While Bladesong is active, you also collect special charges. Every weapon attack gives you a healing charge, while casting spells (cantrips don't count) grants you damage charges. They can be used in a special attack, Bladesong Climax. This is a powerful area cut that marks the end of a Bladesong. All enemies in the affected area receive +1k6 Force damage for each damage charge, while all allies in the area are healed by +1k6 health points for each healing charge.
4. Bladesong will not work if you have equipped a shield or any piece of medium or heavy armor. You also need to have a compatible weapon: a shortsword, longsword, sickle, scimitar, dagger or a rapier.
5. At level 6, you will receive a bonus attack. You can now attack twice within a single action.
6. At level 10, you will get the Song of Defence feature. If you take damage while Bladesong is active, you will be able to use any spell slot to reduce the damage by 5.

How to play as a Bladesinging character?

1. Despite being a mobile, dangerous fencer, Bladesinger is still a Wizard - you will be delicate and will have little health. For most of the game, your best armor will not be literally armor, but the mage armour spell, which increases your base armor class to 13 for the whole day. Also, have the Shield spell at your disposal to avoid taking damage in case you're hit. Eliminate targets quickly, make sure you have the highest armor class, and leave the role of a tank to someone else. Also, keep looking for a good moment to use Bladesong Climax - this skill can drastically change the course of a fight.
2. You can learn the Shadow Blade spell as early as level 3. You'll likely use it instead of your other weapons for most of the game. Shadow Blade lasts all day and creates a magical shortsword. It deals 2k8 Psychic damage and grants Advantage against targets hidden in a shadow. In terms of damage, Shadow Blade will prove to be more powerful than most of the weapons available in the game, and it is definitely worth spending a spell slot on it every day. At later levels, you can also cast this spell by spending more powerful slots. This weapon will then deal 3d8 or even 4d8 damage in one hit. Shadow Blade is light, so you can also wield another light weapon in your other hand.
3. As a Bladesinger, one of your greatest attributes are spells requiring concentration. A high armor class and bonus to Constitution defense rolls make it very difficult to break your concentration. So, make use of spells requiring concentration, such as Cloud of Daggers or Wall of Fire. Shocking Grasp is an inconspicuous cantrip that will also prove useful, as it takes away the enemies' ability to perform occasional attacks - thanks to this, you can move to a more convenient place in case get pushed against the wall.
4. There are several extremely useful spells that every Wizard should equip, and Bladesong belongs to that category. Magic Missile, Misty Step, and Haste are also considered mandatory spells.

See also

1. Game guide
2. Wizard
3. Best spells for Wizard
4. Recommended Wizard build

Baldur's Gate 3

August 3, 2023

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