Bladesinger 5e
Elven wizards who blend swordplay with arcane magic, using their Bladesong to enhance mobility and defense. Bladesingers are gish hybrids excelling at hit-and-run melee tactics.
At a Glance
Hit Die
d6
Primary Ability
Intelligence
Saving Throws
Intelligence, Wisdom
Armor
Light armor (via subclass)
Weapons
Simple weapons, one type of one-handed melee weapon (via subclass)
Spellcasting
Full caster (Intelligence)
Key Features
| Feature | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bladesong | 2nd | Bonus action for INT mod uses per long rest. Gain bonus to AC (INT mod), advantage on Acrobatics, +10 ft movement, and advantage on CON saves for concentration. Lasts 1 minute. |
| Extra Attack | 6th | Attack twice, or attack once and cast a cantrip as part of the Attack action. |
| Song of Defense | 10th | Use reaction when damaged to reduce damage by 5 times your wizard level by expending a spell slot. |
| Song of Victory | 14th | Add INT modifier to melee weapon damage while Bladesong is active. |
Subclasses
| Subclass | Source | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bladesinger | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything | This is the subclass itself - wizard arcane tradition focused on melee magic combat |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting Bladesong ends if you wear medium/heavy armor, use a shield, or use two hands for an attack
Common Mistake
Not tracking Bladesong uses per long rest (equals proficiency bonus as of Tasha's)
Common Mistake
Missing that Extra Attack lets you replace one attack with a cantrip, not add a third action
Common Mistake
Overlooking that Song of Defense can consume higher level slots for more damage reduction
DM Tips
DM Tip
Bladesong AC can get extremely high (base + DEX + INT) - target saves instead
DM Tip
They're still wizards with d6 hit dice - focus fire or grapple to shut them down
DM Tip
Advantage on concentration saves while Bladesonging makes them hard to interrupt
DM Tip
Song of Defense can burn through spell slots quickly if pressured with consistent damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Wizard (Bladesinger) — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD class text
- Wizard (Bladesinger) — D&D Beyond — Official class reference
- Wizard (Bladesinger) Guide — RPGBOT — Class optimization guide