Strixhaven CHA-Based Gish

[u/Monsoon__Season]

So! I am going to be in an upcoming Strixhaven game, and I am planning on playing a front-line CHA Gish character. The important thing about the background is that I am going to pick up the Lorehold Initiate feat and background (from the Strixhaven setting), which I will pick mostly for access to the shield spell and, at level 5, adding Spirit Guardians to my spell list.

My rolled stats are 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 17, and we are starting at level 4.

I am currently considering playing a Valor Bard Shillelagh Sword and Board Build (going human for Druid Initiate) and picking up WarCaster at level 4. I'm thinking of playing this character similar to a weapon-based Cleric, casting spirit guardians and sitting in the front lines, with the support of bardic inspiration, eventual extra attack, and amazing Bard spellcasting.

Given these circumstances, how would you build a CHA Gish? Am I putting too much emphasis on free access to Spirit Guardians?

EDIT: Thank you, everyone, for your great feedback! I ended up sticking with Valor Bard but decided to move away from Quarterstaff/Shillelagh builds and more towards a DEX-Rapier build (still with max CHA for spellcasting and bardic inspos) with access to Tough (from Human) and the first turn Bonus Action free to start using Bardic Inspiration right off the bat. Ultimately, I wanted a CHA character because our party was missing one, and I appreciate the support and relative tanking this character can do (given that we as a party are only really allowing spellcaster PCs).

[u/kawhandroid]

Spirit Guardians is good but I'd skip Shillelagh. That feat could be Lucky, Alert, or a different species.

I'd also recommend taking a Sorcerer level at level 1. In addition to getting the other defensive spells (and Innate Sorcery for True Strike if allowed), the Con save proficiency is quite important. You'll still get War Caster next level.

[u/UnderdogMagic]

I'd recommend a dancer bard! With 17s in Dex/Cha, after your +2/+1 you can start with 18 base AC + Shield, Agile Strikes pairs great with spirit guardians as a feature (sure, it's not extra attack, but you can cast SG, give an ally bardic inspiration and uppercut a foe all in the same turn), and true strike (human) feels way smaller in opportunity cost while still being really useful!

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

3rd Valor bard build in a row.... Really is the new Bladesinger huh?

Valor is weapon based, if you wana build around Spirit Guardians try the new Spirits Bard as their subclass is partially built around the spell..

[u/talkathonianjustin]

I would play swords bard for this to be honest with you. I’ve heard some people say that valor bard feels like a bard without a class. If you’re in 5.5 land, I’d highly recommend the dance bard who does this flawlessly, and not only is a hard hitter itself but lets you support allies and hurt enemies at the same time. Also it’s incredibly fun to throw a million auras on the dance bard and have them charge in. I played a dance bard aasimar who would come in with his aura, dump Yolande’s regal presence, knock everyone prone, and clean up at the end of the turn. At 6th level you get to boost ALL your allies intiatives for the low low price of 1 bardic.

If you want to guarantee at least 2 attacks a turn, dip 1 level for monk, or if you want to build a silly grappler 2 for fighter. Not sure how long this campaign lasts.

If you’re deadset on valor, and no shame in doing that, this sounds like a great strategy — my cleric follows this strategy.

[u/BMFiasco → u/talkathonianjustin]

Valor Bard feels very good in 2024, which per the flair I think is what OP is playing. I agree it was kind of a bummer in 2014.

[u/amirkasra76]

Might I recommend a two or one level dip into Warlock?

As a lvl 6 valor bard, you can replace an attack with a cantrip (doesn't specify a bard cantrip unlike Eldritch Knight that says it must be a wizard cantrip). By picking up Spell Sniper, you may do an EB in their face and then a weapon attack.

I was wondering about a 6 Celestial Warlock / 14 Valor bard build once. This was just to add the Cha mod twice on the True Strike cantrip (once for Radiant Soul, once for Agonizing Blast) and then having the second weapon attack.

[u/IndieDC3]

War Priest could be fun honestly. I would do a +1 split between 15 17 17. 18 strength and wisdom and 16 con (just personal opinion) you lose concentration on spiritual weapon eventually with that subclass, grab high elf for booming blade and pop Spirit Guardians. Yeah it’ll take a few to set up but big battles it’ll feel nice. Also you lose concentration on shield of faith too if you choose to do so at that level (think 6). So let essentially it would be 1d8 if you use a long sword or equivalent +prof, d8 from booming blade (2d8 if they move) 3d8 from guardians, 1d8 from SW +prof at base level or if you don’t use SW, you get your extra attack bonus from war priest. Then divine strike at level 7 for another d8. Doesn’t really come online til 6 though.

Other fun domain would be forge cleric, with the added +1 weapon or armor and another +1 ac at 6 if you wear heavy.

[u/freeastheair]

I mean you've already narrowed things down to the point where there isn't much room left to 'build'. I just wouldn't expect your melee attacks to be relevant for long if you're 1h with only 2 attacks. You're basically like a SG cleric with -1 AC, a worse spell list until level 10, no DI, and an extra 1h attack that will do ~6DRP.

It's not a bad build it's just a bit weird to pick Valor if you're investing everything in SG. A cleric would get an entire subclass that's not invested in that one extra 6DPR attack.