D&D 5E Need a better houserule to fix Bladesinger's mechanics not supporting lore issue

[Sword of Spirit]

Traditionally, the bladesinger wields a longsword, wears chainmail (best represented as a chain shirt for 5e), and aspires to wear the coveted elven chain, which is designed with them in mind more than any other archetype.

5e doesn't really let you do this. I'm going to present the premises for discussion, explain the problem, and then discuss the various house rule options I've already thought of and why they won't really fix the problem in a satisfying way.

Premises

Premise 1. The game should not punish you mechanically for playing to lore. Sure, occasionally the designers might find themselves in a difficult place with rules interaction, so maybe you can make a minor sacrifice (a point of AC or damage, etc) to represent the traditional lore, but it shouldn't be a significant sacrifice, because that actively punishes/discourages you from playing to the lore.

Premise 2. Medium armor is only a good option for a Strength-based warrior that lacks heavy armor proficiency. A Strength character with heavy armor proficiency would lose AC and gain nothing (they'd lose even more AC if they wanted to avoid a Stealth penalty) by wearing medium armor. A Dex based character would lose good Stealth, and the only they would gain would be a bit of AC at low level only by wearing medium armor. Otherwise, wearing medium armor is a penalty for them. (Sub-premise: An armor category that is only useful at a minority of the level range is a problem.) Even a Strength character has to invest a 14 in Dex as a tertiary stat in order to get the maximum AC from medium armor (which is worse than the AC from heavy armor with no investment). Therefore only a Strength-based warrior that has proficiency in medium armor, but lacks proficiency in heavy armor (generally a Strength based barbarian or ranger), gets any lasting benefit from medium armor, and even that is kind of expensive.

Premise 3. There is no assumption that a character can plan to ever get a specific magic item. Treating such a specific item as an essential part of your character doesn't work. So you cannot design a character whose realization requires the acquisition of a particular magic item. You can design one for whom such an item would be an awesome and desirable supplement, but not a requirement.

Considerations

There are a number of rules points that I'm just going to list so everyone can have them accessible.

A) Longswords are not finesse weapons, therefore they require a Strength-based wielder.
B) You cannot cast spells in armor you are not proficient with.
C) Bladesingers gain proficiency with light armor, but not with medium.
D) Bladesingers' defining feature that enables their melee presence, Bladesong, cannot be used in armor heavier than light, proficient or not
E) Elven chain is a medium armor
F) All characters are treated as if they were proficient in elven chain

The Problem

Because of the lore and the premises, a bladesinger needs to be a Strength-based medium armor wearer; but they are not proficient in medium armor, nor could they use Bladesong in it if they were. Their mechanical design therefore supports a Dex-based light armor wearer instead of the traditional longsword and mail (chain shirt) or elven chain character.

Possbilities for House Rules

This, is not easy. I should point out that I like simple and elegant house rules. The kind you can write in a single non-convoluted sentence. Here were the ones I considered, and why they failed.

#1) Bladesingers can use Bladesong and cast spells in elven chain. The main problem with this one is that it violates Premises 2 and 3. They can't wear regular chain shirts, so they are hanging everything on the possibility of getting that elven chain, while suffering mechanically as a Strength-based light armor wearer in the meantime.

#2) Elven chain becomes light armor. This one hurts more than it helps. It lets Bladesingers wear elven chain, but either they are a Dex-based character contrary to lore, or they are a Strength-based character in anticipation of getting elven chain, in violation of Premise 3. It also makes elven chain a good buff for other Dex-based characters, which isn't really a desirable outcome, and fails to give Bladesingers any particular benefit from it. Worse than option #1.

#3) Bladesingers can use Dexterity with longswords. I'm just bringing this one up since I'm sure someone will think of it. By itself it does nothing for the armor, but even if you combine this with #2 (starting to get into convoluted territory), it would still keep them away from chain until and unless they found elven chain.

#4) Bladesingers gain medium armor proficiency and can use Bladesong with it. On the surface this seems to fix the problem. They can wear medium armor from the start, so they stay lore friendly, and once they find elven chain they are fully embodying their archetype. The problem with this is that elven chain grants them no particular benefit that would make it a special coveted armor for them. They're better off with a +1 breastplate. In contrast to the lore that makes elven chain the jelly to Bladesinger's peanut butter, it is actually better for a non-Bladesinger wizard, sorcerer, lore bard, or Blade Pact warlock. This is the best house rule option, but it is still unsatisfying.

Who has a better house rule option for me?

 

[Xeviat]

I'd do a few things.

1) Finesse does not allow the use of a shield. Characters gain +2 to attack if they use a single weapon and keep an empty off-hand (your stance is weapon forward). Allow longswords to be finessed in one hand. This is wild, but I like it. It actually balances rapier rogues vs dual shortsword rogues.

2) Elven Chain is light armor. It's magic. It's special. It's similar to Mage Armor. Accept that apprentice bladesingers don't have Elven chain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

How about (3b) and (4b).

(3b) Bladesingers already gain a couple of bonus weapon proficiencies. Rule change: you can use either Str or Dex for these bonus weapons, similar to how the monk uses "monk weapons" with Dex instead of Str. This is distinct from (3) in that it allows but does not mandate the longsword as the Bladesinger weapon of choice. Just as the SCAG mentions, different traditions of Bladesingers will use different weapons, and now that's fine.

That addresses the weapon angle.

(4b) Bladesingers gain armor proficiency specifically in mail shirts, which includes elven chain mail (a type of mail shirt), and can use Bladesong in it. A +1 breastplate isn't an option for them because they're not proficient in it.

This addresses the armor angle. For many or most bladesingers, Mage Armor will still be as good or better because mail shirts still limit your Dex bonus to +2.

 

[WarpedAcorn]

The key issue with Bladesingers from previous editions and the 5th Edition version is Bladesinger was basically reworked into Eldritch Knight. Bladesingers in previous editions were also Prestige Classes and not something you started out in. Their requirements encouraged a Fighter/Mage build, and ultimately their spellcasting was limited to combat oriented spells. Basically they were Eldritch Knights.

The 5th Edition version of Bladesinger changes it up by being a full spellcaster and even specifically noting that they do not always use swords. In my opinion this means we have to let go of our old notion of the Elven Chain-Wearing Longsword-Wielding Bladesinger and embrace a different type of Bladesinger, one that is more akin to a Sword-Dancer.

So basically, you have a split...the Eldritch Knight "Bladesinger" who focuses more on martial aspects OR the Wizard Bladesinger who focuses more on the magical aspects. I believe if you make House Rules to allow the Wizard Bladesinger to use Elven Chain then you begin to cheapen the Eldritch Knight. Based on what you wrote I think you definitely in a tough spot with reconciling the current Class Archetype with the Prestige Class of old. You've put a lot of thought into this judging from your original post, and I don't have any other suggestions to offer except a shift in view of what a Bladesinger is in 5th Edition.

 

[Jer]

Hemlock gave the suggestion I would have given with the constraints you laid out - give Bladesingers a specific proficiency in mail shirts. Get away from the idea that you need to grant a whole class of armor proficiencies if the lore is specific about mail shirts being their go-to armor of choice. Don't grant them full medium armor proficiency because as you say that doesn't fit the lore. And then let them use Dex for their longsword attacks as a class feature.

But WarpedAcorn brings up an interesting point that deserves attention. As editions come and go concepts get shuffled around and mechanics get altered. It may well be that the best way to get a Bladesinger that is closer to the original concept of the Bladesinger is to use the Eldritch Knight subclass and call him a Bladesinger. The names of the classes shouldn't be restrictions - not all barbarians are going to be Barbarians (and vice versa) so maybe not all bladesingers are going to be Bladesingers. You might be able to do something similar with the Eldritch Knight by just swapping some of the abilities that subclass gets for the Bladesinger ones as appropriate.

(I wouldn't worry about cheapening the Eldritch Knight UNLESS you have a player in your group playing an Eldritch Knight. Then you have to worry about the two classes stepping on each others toes.)

Edited to add: And as far as Premise 3 goes that's in the hands of the DM. If there was something about the previous bladesinger class that guaranteed elven chain at a certain level, the DM can certainly decide to hand out elven chain at that level under the same guidelines as previous. There's nothing about 5e that says that DMs can't hand out magic items like Halloween candy if they want to, and if a DM wants to support specific lore on a class that suggests "this class should get this magic item at level X" then the DM can do that. (And if the DM doesn't want to support that specific lore, well, each table's interpretation of the game worlds in question is unique. So maybe it doesn't work that way on this world. But that should really be a conversation between the individual player and DM anyway)

 

[cooperjer]

I was thinking the same as Hemlock and Jer with regards to the armor and granting a magic item when the DM sees fit. I would also suggest that giving proficiency in a specific armor type also considers keeping value in the feats that allow characters to become proficient in an armor category.

 

[Kalshane]

For my games, I house-ruled that Elven Chain has an additional property that allows it to function as light armor if you have proficiency in wearing it. (Basically, anyone can wear it without penalty because it's so light and flexible, but if you're already trained in moving around in a chain shirt, you can get the most out of it.) This doesn't directly help the Bladesinger as-written, but giving them proficiency in chain shirt as well fixes that.

I also have a feat that allows a longsword to be used with finesse, though I like the idea of Bladesingers taking a page from the monk and being able to use Strength or Dex with a specific list of weapons.

 

[Satyrn]

I find your premise #2 to be off.

I'm playing a Dex-based gnome battlemaster, and I don't think I'm ever going to stop using the breastplate I'm wearing. Certainly not until at least 12th level, because I can't see upping my Dex from 16 to 20 before that, and it's only with a 20 that studded leather becomes better than breastplate. And until that happens, I have a better AC in breastplate, and no stealth penalty.

Plus, I could boost my AC by 2 with one feat by taking Medium Armor Mastery (it increases max Dex allowed by 1 and removes the stealth penalty to half plate so I can upgrade to that) and have a better AC than any light armor provides.

Not that your premise 2 is even near central to your primary concerns.

 

[CapnZapp]

Traditionally, the bladesinger wields a longsword, wears chainmail (best represented as a chain shirt for 5e), and aspires to wear the coveted elven chain, which is designed with them in mind more than any other archetype.

In 5th edition, blade singers wear light armor. Despite this, they can still wear elven chain.

In 5th edition, blade singers can wield longswords just fine.

It's just that since they gain light armor proficiency (only), they're probably better off switching to a finesse weapon. But if you happen to roll Strength 18 Dexterity 18 there is no reason why you shouldn't pick up a longsword for lore purposes - knock yourself out!

As others have said - 5E bladesingers are not traditional bladesingers, they get too powerful spells to be considered that. If you want more martial focus, consider playing an Eldritch Knight in medium armor and call yourself a Bladesinger.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I feel the need to acknowledge that there's really quite an array of choice for the ol' elven fighter/magic-user concept, already. Bladesinger is the spell-heavy option. EK is the fight'n-heavy option. You could MC fighter/wizard to get any emphasis between those extremes...

#2) Elven chain becomes light armor.

This sounds to me in keeping with 'lore' (tradition) about elven chain, too, so that's a bonus.

It lets Bladesingers wear elven chain, but either they are a Dex-based character contrary to lore

Elves have always been a high-DEX race, so it doesn't sound that contrary to lore, just to past mechanics when Finesse was unavailable or feat-taxed.

anticipation of getting elven chain, in violation of Premise 3.

Nod. What if there's a non-magical version of elven chain that's statted as studded leather but a bit more expensive? Used by Bladesingers as a point of pride.

It also makes elven chain a good buff for other Dex-based characters, which isn't really a desirable outcome

But is in keeping with lore/tradition. FWIW.

#3) Bladesingers can use Dexterity with longswords. I'm just bringing this one up since I'm sure someone will think of it.

Doesn't hurt much. So they can do slashing damage? Not terrifying.

lore that makes elven chain the jelly to Bladesinger's peanut butter

Sounds like you need to reconcile your desire to avoid basing a character concept on a magic item with your desire for them to covet a specific magic item.

Who has a better house rule option for me?

One thing wizards can already do to help their AC is routinely cast Mage Armor. That costs a prepped spell and a slot every day, of course. You could just say that the Bladesinger's mage armor looks like shining work-of-art elven chain. They have the rep, there's a reason behind the lore, but it's mostly cosmetic. Hand waved, problem solved.

Or, you could give it some teeth and let Bladesingers make/bond-with their own special (non-magical in the magic-item sense, but maybe created/enhanced by their own magic) version of Elven Chain. It counts as attunement and costs that same spell slot, but it has whatever combination of characteristics you think satisfies lore, and it doesn't have any implications outside the sub-class (for anyone else it'd be an ordinary, if very pretty, chain shirt). They could still covet magical elven chain to bond with, if only for the status, but also, of course, for the enhancement bonus.