Elf March of the Bladesingers! (2025)

A bit of background: Bladesinger started out as an elf-only class in AD&D before morphing into a race-restricted prestige class (PrC) in 3E. They're melee-focused warrior / arcane caster hybrids using swords (usually scimitars) who are always elves or (rarely) half-elves. Despite the name, they aren't usually bards, though I don't believe that's a hard requirement. Originally they had to be Lawful or Neutral Good, IIRC, but later editions dropped that requirement too. A purely arbitrary set of restrictions based on lore, of course, but we'll try to stay within those constraints.

Props to CThruTheEgo, who beat me to the punch revisiting ftr /wiz builds. So this thread will focus on elf-only variants in keeping with PnP Bladesingers. In the wake of U31 Kensei buffs, MCed fighter builds got some much-needed love, which makes gimpy flavor builds like these more viable. Elf March of the Bladesingers! (1)

The first build is a straight-forward STR-based wiz 12 / ftr 8 using falchions with a heavy investment in the elf tree for flavor (because NO ONE CAN STOP ME): Skill+Valenar Training for extra DPS, Feywild Tap for 10% Incorporealty. I was half-tempted to take the Shadow DM feat just for the tattoo, but refrained. Even I have my gimp limits... Elf March of the Bladesingers! (2)

Code:

Valenar Bladesinger12/8 Wizard/FighterLawful Good ElfLevel Order1. Fighter 6. Fighter 11. Wizard 16. Wizard2. Wizard 7. Fighter 12. Fighter 17. Wizard3. Fighter 8. Wizard 13. Wizard 18. Wizard4. Fighter 9. Fighter 14. Wizard 19. Wizard5. Fighter 10. Wizard 15. Wizard 20. WizardStats 28pt 32pt Level Up ---- ---- --------Strength 18 18 4: STRDexterity 10 10 8: STRConstitution 12 14 12: STRIntelligence 14 14 16: STRWisdom 8 8 20: STRCharisma 8 8 24: STR 28: STRSkills F W F F F F F W F W W F W W W W W W W W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Concent 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 23Spellcr 2 3 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23UMD 2 1 1 1 1 1½ ½ 1 1 1 11Search 1 1 1 1 1 5Balance 2 1 3Jump 1 1Tumble 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------ 16 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4Feats 1 : Power Attack 1 Fighter: Cleave 2 Wizard : Extend Spell 3 : Weapon Focus: Slashing 3 Fighter: Two Handed Fighting 5 Fighter: Great Cleave 6 : Weapon Specialization: Slashing 7 Fighter: Improved Two Handed Fighting 9 : Improved Critical: Slashing12 : Stunning Blow12 Fighter: Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing13 Wizard : Quicken Spell15 : Greater Two Handed Fighting18 : Tactical Combatant18 Wizard : Mental Toughness21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical24 Epic : Wellspring of Power26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR First Blood OR Elusive Target29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Arcane Warrior30 Epic : Bulwark of Defense OR Heavy Armor Combatant30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea OR Plane of FireEnhancements (80 AP)Kensei (33 AP)
  • Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
    1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
    2. Weapon Group Specialization
    3. Weapon Group Specialization, Strength
    4. Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Opportunity Attack, Liquid Courage, Strength
    5. Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Keen Edge
Elf (19 AP)
  • Elven Accuracy
    1. Valenar Weapon Training, Arcane Fluidity III
    2. Enchantment Lore III, Valenar Weapon Training
    3. Feywild Tap III, Valenar Weapon Training
    4. Valenar Weapon Training, Skill
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (15 AP)
  • Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Flame, Spellsword II: Acid
    1. Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness I
    2. Improved Shield III, Martial Training
    3. Arcane Barrier III
Stalwart Defender (13 AP)
  • Toughness, Stalwart Defense
    1. Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
    2. Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
    3. Tenacious Defense III
Leveling Guide
  1. Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Elf0 Elven Accuracy
  2. EKw0 Eldritch Strike; EKw1 Improved Mage Armor I, II, III
  3. Ken1 Haste Boost I, II; Elf1 Valenar Weapon Training
  4. Ken0 Spiritual Bond; Ken1 Haste Boost III; Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization
  5. SD0 Toughness; SD1 Item Defense I; SD1 Durable Defense I, II
  6. SD1 Durable Defense III; SD0 Stalwart Defense; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
  7. Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
  8. Ken3 Strength; Ken1 Extra Action Boost II
  9. Ken1 Extra Action Boost III; Ken4 Opportunity Attack
  10. Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Liquid Courage
  11. Ken4 Strength; SD2 Resilient Defense I; (Bank 2 AP)
  12. Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken5 Keen Edge; Ken5 One with the Blade; Ken5 Weapon Master; EKw1 Toughness I
  13. EKw0 Spellsword: Flame; Elf1 Arcane Fluidity I, II, III
  14. EKw2 Improved Shield I, II, III; SD2 Resilient Defense II
  15. SD2 Resilient Defense III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II
  16. SD3 Tenacious Defense III; EKw2 Martial Training; EKw3 Arcane Barrier I
  17. EKw3 Arcane Barrier II, III; EKw0 Spellsword II: Acid
  18. Elf2 Valenar Weapon Training; Elf2 Enchantment Lore I, II; Elf3 Feywild Tap I
  19. Elf3 Feywild Tap II; Elf3 Valenar Weapon Training; Elf2 Enchantment Lore III
  20. Elf4 Valenar Weapon Training; Elf4 Skill; Elf3 Feywild Tap III
Destiny (24 AP)Divine Crusader
  1. Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
  2. Consecration III, Flames of Purity II
  3. Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
  4. No Regret, Crusade
  5. Heavenly Presence, Celestial Champion
  6. Strike Down
Twists of Fate (18 fate points)
  1. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
  2. Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
  3. Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
  4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)
See Also
Frank K 0.5.1 - PDFCOFFEE.COMInvestmentNews on LinkedIn: Scion of former B-D owner bolts B. RileyNew World Scion Adrian Cheng Steps Down as CEO After LossWorldsWithoutNumber 0.18 - PDFCOFFEE.COM

LG for flavor and Blessed Blades; any Good alignment would work or go True Neutral if you don't plan to take Blessed Blades.

Main drawback is lack of self-healing until you get to epics; and then not until you level your EDs enough to unlock what you need. Although for some players, "not an Easy Win Button" is a feature, not a drawback... Elf March of the Bladesingers! (3)

Zerg variant: The ftr 12 / wiz 7 / barb 1 split gains +10% run speed and higher melee DPS (Power Surge, Gtr Weap Spec, Imp Power Atk) at the expense of lvl 5 & 6 spells and shorter buff duration (Haste & Displacement are 1 minute shorter w/Extend than on wiz 12). This time I did take Shadow DM to help save SPs and for longer cast time.

Code:

See Also
Version 10.13 of the Pathfinder files for Hero Lab is now available!

Bladesinger (Zerg)12/7/1 Fighter/Wizard/BarbarianChaotic Good ElfLevel Order1. Barbarian 6. Fighter 11. Fighter 16. Wizard2. Fighter 7. Fighter 12. Fighter 17. Fighter3. Wizard 8. Fighter 13. Wizard 18. Fighter4. Wizard 9. Fighter 14. Wizard 19. Fighter5. Fighter 10. Wizard 15. Wizard 20. FighterStats 28pt 32pt Level Up ---- ---- --------Strength 18 18 4: STRDexterity 10 10 8: STRConstitution 12 14 12: STRIntelligence 14 14 16: STRWisdom 8 8 20: STRCharisma 8 8 24: STR 28: STRSkills B F W W F F F F F W F F W W W W F F F F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Spellcr 4 3 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Search 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11UMD 2 2 1 1 1 ½ 1½ 1 1 11Balance 2 2 2 6Intim 4 4Jump 4 4Heal 2 2Tumble 2 2Repair 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------ 24 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4Feats 1 : Power Attack 2 Fighter: Cleave 3 : Least Dragonmark: Shadow 3 Wizard : Extend Spell 5 Fighter: Great Cleave 6 : Stunning Blow 7 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing 9 : Improved Critical: Slashing 9 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Slashing12 : Two Handed Fighting12 Fighter: Greater Weapon Focus: Slashing14 Wizard : Quicken Spell15 : Improved Two Handed Fighting18 : Greater Two Handed Fighting18 Fighter: Heavy Armor Master20 Fighter: Tactical Mastery21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical24 Epic : Greater Weapon Specialization: Slashing26 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction28 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting OR Elusive Target29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Deific Warding30 Epic : Bulwark of Defense OR Heavy Armor Combatant30 Legend : Scion of: Plane of EarthEnhancements (80 AP)Kensei (34 AP)
  • Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought, Power Surge
    1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Haste Boost III
    2. Weapon Group Specialization
    3. Weapon Group Specialization, Shattering Strike II, Strength
    4. Weapon Group Specialization, Strike at the Heart, Opportunity Attack, Strength
    5. Weapon Master, One with the Blade, Keen Edge
Elf (15 AP)
  • Elven Accuracy
    1. Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus III, Valenar Weapon Training, Arcane Fluidity III
    2. Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow, Valenar Weapon Training
    3. Greater Dragonmark of Shadow
Eldritch Knight (Wizard) (14 AP)
  • Eldritch Strike, Spellsword: Acid
    1. Improved Mage Armor III, Toughness I
    2. Improved Shield III, Martial Training
    3. Arcane Barrier III
Stalwart Defender (13 AP)
  • Toughness, Stalwart Defense
    1. Item Defense I, Durable Defense III
    2. Resilient Defense III, Instinctive Defense I
    3. Tenacious Defense III
Ravager (4 AP)
  • Furious Rage
    1. Barbarian Power Attack III
Leveling Guide
  1. Rav0 Furious Rage; Rav1 Barbarian Power Attack I, II, III
  2. Ken0 Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades; Ken1 Haste Boost I, II, III
  3. EKw0 Eldritch Strike; Elf0 Elven Accuracy; Elf1 Valenar Weapon Training
  4. Elf1 Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus I, II; Elf2 Lesser Dragonmark of Shadow
  5. Elf1 Phiarlan Dragonmark Focus III; Elf2 Valenar Weapon Training
  6. Elf3 Greater Dragonmark of Shadow; Ken1 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken0 Spiritual Bond
  7. Ken2 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken1 Extra Action Boost I
  8. Ken3 Shattering Strike I; Ken3 Strength
  9. Ken1 Extra Action Boost II; Ken0 Strike with No Thought; Ken3 Weapon Group Specialization
  10. Ken1 Extra Action Boost III; Ken4 Opportunity Attack
  11. Ken4 Strike at the Heart; Ken4 Strength
  12. Ken4 Weapon Group Specialization; Ken3 Shattering Strike II; Ken5 One with the Blade
  13. Ken5 Keen Edge; Ken5 Weapon Master; Elf1 Arcane Fluidity I, II
  14. Elf1 Arcane Fluidity III; EKw1 Improved Mage Armor I, II, III
  15. EKw1 Toughness I; EKw0 Spellsword: Acid; SD0 Toughness; SD1 Durable Defense I
  16. SD1 Durable Defense II, III; SD1 Item Defense I; SD0 Stalwart Defense
  17. SD2 Resilient Defense I, II, III; SD2 Instinctive Defense I
  18. SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II, III
  19. EKw2 Martial Training; EKw2 Improved Shield I, II; EKw3 Arcane Barrier I
  20. Ken0 Power Surge; EKw3 Arcane Barrier II; EKw2 Improved Shield III; EKw3 Arcane Barrier III
Destiny (24 AP)Divine Crusader
  1. Bane of Undeath, Interrogation, Purge the Wicked
  2. Consecration III, Flames of Purity II
  3. Sacred Ground, Empyrean Magic, Blessed Blades
  4. No Regret, Crusade
  5. Castigation, Celestial Champion
  6. Strike Down
Twists of Fate (18 fate points)
  1. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
  2. Momentum Swing (Tier 2 Dreadnought)
  3. Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
  4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

First draft of updating an old build concept: namely a melee gish who uses wraith form. This version requires drow and Harper so I can go INT-based: to-hit, dmg, DCs, and Reflex saves, all in one stat - what's not to love? Elf March of the Bladesingers! (4) I also used a +1 DEX tome for feat pre-reqs and +2 INT for more skill pts. The Wraith Blade is squishier than other Bladesingers, due to less PRR and no Tenacious Defense (doesn't use med/hvy armor and APs are constrained); so it tries to make up for it with high Dodge, 25% Incorporealty, Evasion, and trap skills to round things out. If you prefer TWF, start DEX 16 CON 12 and adjust feats accordingly.

Even with max INT, skill pts are tight; the must-haves IMO were Spellcraft, Search, Disable, and Heal (Neg Energy Spellpower) plus 7 ranks of Balance for GSWF. After that I maxed UMD and dumped what I could into Open Lock; could've gone for Spot instead.

Code:

Wraith Blade12/6/2 Wizard/Fighter/RogueTrue Neutral DrowLevel Order1. Rogue 6. Fighter 11. Wizard 16. Wizard2. Fighter 7. Fighter 12. Rogue 17. Wizard3. Wizard 8. Fighter 13. Wizard 18. Wizard4. Fighter 9. Wizard 14. Wizard 19. Wizard5. Fighter 10. Wizard 15. Wizard 20. WizardStats 28pt Tome Level Up ---- ---- --------Strength 8 4: INTDexterity 12 +1 8: INTConstitution 14 12: INTIntelligence 20 +2 16: INTWisdom 8 20: INTCharisma 10 24: INT 28: INTSkills R F W F F F F F W W W R W W W W W W W W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ------------------------------------------------------------Spellcr 6 1 1 1 3 1 4 2 2 1 1 23Disable 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Search 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23UMD 4 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 23Open Lo 4 ½ ½ ½ ½ 9 1 ½ 1½ 18Heal 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11Balance 4 3 7Repair 4 4Spot 4 4Jump 4 4Swim 4 4Tumble 4 4Haggle 4 4Perform 2 2 ------------------------------------------------------------ 52 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 15 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10Feats 1 : Single Weapon Fighting 2 Fighter: Exotic Weapon: Khopesh 3 : Precision 3 Wizard : Extend Spell 4 Fighter: Dodge 6 : Weapon Focus: Slashing 6 Fighter: Mobility 8 Fighter: Improved Single Weapon Fighting 9 : Weapon Specialization: Slashing12 : Improved Critical: Slashing13 Wizard : Quicken Spell15 : Insightful Reflexes18 : Greater Single Weapon Fighting18 Wizard : Maximize Spell21 Epic : Overwhelming Critical24 Epic : Wellspring of Power26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting27 Epic : Epic Damage Reduction28 Destiny: Perfect Single Weapon Fighting OR Epic Spell Power: Negative29 Destiny: Dire Charge OR Arcane Warrior30 Epic : Epic Reflexes30 Legend : Scion of: Shadowfell OR Plane of EarthEnhancements (80 AP)Kensei (32 AP)
  • Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades, Spiritual Bond, Strike with No Thought
    1. Extra Action Boost III, Weapon Group Specialization, Exotic Weapon Mastery, Haste Boost III
    2. Weapon Group Specialization, Improved Dodge III
    3. Weapon Group Specialization, Athletic Mastery III
    4. Strike at the Heart, Opportunity Attack
    5. One with the Blade, Keen Edge

Pale Master (23 AP)

  • Dark Reaping, Zombie Form, Vampire Form, Wraith Form
    1. Spell Critical, Negative Energy Conduit III
    2. Spell Critical, Bone Armor III
    3. Cloak of Night III, Spell Critical, Intelligence
    4. Spell Critical

Harper Agent (15 AP)

  • Agent of Good I
    1. Harper Enchantment, Strategic Combat
    2. Versatile Adept III, Know the Angles III
    3. Versatile Adept II, Strategic Combat

Stalwart Defender (6 AP)

  • Toughness, Stalwart Defense
    1. Item Defense I, Durable Defense III

Drow (4 AP)

  • Spell Resistance
    1. Arcane Fluidity III
Destiny

(24 AP)Legendary Dreadnought

  1. Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Constitution
  2. Damage Boost III, Constitution
  3. Critical Damage III
  4. Volcano's Edge
  5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
  6. Master's Blitz

Twists of Fate (30 fate points)

  1. Energy Burst: Acid (Tier 4 Draconic) OR Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
  2. Grim Precision (Tier 3 Shadowdancer)
  3. Lithe (Tier 2 Shadowdancer)
  4. Brace for Impact (Tier 1 Sentinel)
Elf March of the Bladesingers! (2025)
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