Wyll, the Real Blade of Frontiers
I wanted to make a build that actually uses Wyll's special features:
- Wyll has the Blade of Frontiers special passive to grant him proficiency in rapiers
- The Infernal Rapier scales off of spellcasting ability
Neither of these things is directly relevant for the standard Pact of the Blade build. Wyll only needs the bonus proficiency for levels 1 and 2, because Warlock doesn't have martial weapons, but from level 3 can bind any weapon and be proficient in it. By the time he gets his hands on the infernal rapier, he's already using Charisma for melee attacks. Granting him a weapon that is mostly redundant is diabolical!
So, the build has to avoid getting rapier or martial weapon proficiency from another source, and can't rely on weapon binding for either Charisma scaling or proficiency. That means the build can't have any levels in Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger, and can't start as either Bard or Rogue. This leaves Cleric, Druid, Monk, Sorcerer, or Wizard.
Could also just make him a different subclass of Warlock, but although Chain could be funny it doesn't seem very bladelike. The Patch 8 rogue Swashbuckler subclass sounds appropriate, though Wyll wouldn't admit to using dirty tricks, and switching the spellcasting modifier to Intelligence will screw up our plans for wielding the Infernal Rapier. Similarly, Monk also gets extra attack but switches spellcasting to Wisdom.
Once I realised that swords bards don't receive rapier proficiency when multiclassed into, that seemed like the obvious choice. Plus, it's a Charisma-caster.
Stats
Wyll's Default Ability Scores: 8 13 14 13 10 17
One of Larian's worst companion spreads. Not only does it have three odd stats but it uses the +1 on a low score, leaving a point on the table. Nonetheless, I've always admired lore-friendly builds that don't mess with the stats or assume a certain permanent bonus, so this is what I'm working with.
This philosophy would also make him a good candidate for the Gloves of Dexterity, which will help his AC as well as pre-rapier attacks. But I've got another set of gloves in mind that fit the whole Hero of the Sword Coast vibe.
I'd originally thought to do a pure melee build, with no EB, but Wyll has an abysmal melee attack stat. He's going to need all the blasting he can muster to get through Act 1 and reach the Creche.
Act 1 is going to be a challenge for our young hero — which he demonstrated in my most recent run when he got one-shotted by a goblin after jumping down to make his grand entrance. So, although I prefer to take flavourful feats over ASI's, with this default spread he really needs the points!
Levelling
Build: Lockbard 2/10, no respecs required. WWBBBBBBBBBB
- Level 1 - Warlock 1 - Fiend, EB, Friends, Hellish Rebuke
- Level 2 - Warlock 2 - Agonising Blast, Mage Armour or Devil's Sight
- Level 3 - Bard 1 - Your choice of instrument; I left him whistling
- Level 4 - Bard 2
- Level 5 - Bard 3 - Swords! The flourishes nicely give Wyll a power boost at level 5, right on schedule. Can choose either fighting style, depending on whether you prefer a shield or an offhand attack after getting Dual Wielder. I've gone with a shield since he desperately needs AC.
- Level 6 - Bard 4 - Our first feat: ASI to even out Dex/Cha
- Level 7 - Bard 5 - Flourishes recharge on short rest
- Level 8 - Bard 6 - Second attack, possibly right around when we get our hands on the infernal rapier in Act 2.5
- Level 9 - Bard 7
- Level 10 - Bard 8 - Second feat - ASI +2 CHA
- Level 11 - Bard 9
- Level 12 - Bard 10 - Magical Secrets, which has got to be the only reason to stick to Bard for the rest of the way. An extra counterspell in the party will be nice.
Gear
Our Wyll is mostly geared up by the Goblin camp, at least until he can get his hands on his forever rapier. Here some of the the most Wyll-like equipment options in the game.
Melee
- Early game Rapiers include the +1 that Dammon sometimes stocks (1 Grove) and Rupturing Blade (1 Zhentarim)
- Infernal Rapier (2.5 Moonrise) — summon a Cambion once per long rest
Body
- Infernal Robe (1 Mizora) — a bit rubbish but meant for him, if you make certain unforgivable choices
- The Graceful Cloth (1.5 Esther) — +2 Dex for AC and Attacks
- Potent Robe (2 Alfira) — better blasting and a conflict with Dark One's Blessing
Boots
- Swiresy Shoes (1 Goblins) — jumping into battle is his preference!
- Springstep Boots (1 Goblins) — momentum for getting into the action
- Boots of Speed (1 Myconoid) — except they're bugged in Patch 7
- Evasive Shoes (2 Last Light) — +1 AC
Head
- Diadem of Arcane Synergy (1.5 Creche) — not sure what conditions he'll be inflicting though!
- Haste Helm (1 Moonhaven) — momentum for getting into the action, albeit before he's melee ready
- Scabby Pugilist Circlet (3 Rivington) — fits the underdog theme
- Birthright (3 Sundries) — +2 Charisma (max 22)
Rings
- Ring of Arcane Synergy (1.5 Creche) — good if following up an eldritch blast with a weapon attack, so it's better for a 4/4/4 offhand blaster build
- Bracing Band (1 Grymforge) — +1 AC after a shove, repelling blast, or mobile flourish
Shield
- Glowing Shield (1 Goblins) — it amuses me that its main feature will interact badly with Dark One's Blessing
Ranged
- Hunting Shortbow (1 Grove) — is on theme, given the monster hunter he'd like to be
Gloves
- Gloves of the Growling Underdog (1 Goblins) — our hero longs to be surrounded by foes, leaping into the action
Amulet
- The Ever-Seeing Eye (1 Teahouse) — both the extra eyeball and the Protection spell are on point
What changes would you make to this build to make it even more Wyll-like?
edit: thank you for the comments!
The discussion about Rogue's spellcasting stat made me realise that it's possible to sandwich four levels of Swashbuckler between Warlock and Bard — 2/4/6 gets him some interesting playstyle options with both dirty tricks and flourishes all slowly coming online.
Aside from my curiosity about a build constrained by his rapier-proficiency passive and special weapon, in my runs Wyll usually spends a lot of time in camp. Maybe my first patch 8 run will be Origin Wyll just to experience his storyline properly. Swashbard Hero at Heart build on EIP
Originally published on reddit