Duskblade (5e Subclass)
Duskblade
A character who has a mixture of spellcasting knowledge and martial prowess may be the perfect choice for one who can't decide between the two. The Duskblade, as it is called, blurs the line between mage and warrior, combining melee fighting with powerful spells.
Originally, the Duskblade were an ancient order of elves who devoted their lives to become masters of steel and the arcane, elite champions of brawn and magic. Still, today, anyone trained in the secret arts of the Duskblade may become one, not limiting the class to this specific race, though races who excell in martial and scholarly knowledge normally have an upper-hand when it comes to becoming a Duskblade.
If you can't choose between zapping your enemies with spells and a strong frontline character, the Duskblade is the perfect class for you. Combining arcane magic with hand-to-hand combat, you're prepared for any adversities you face in your way.
Duskblade Spellcasting
| Fighter Level | Cantrips | Spells Known | 1st-level | 2nd-level | 3rd-level | 4th-level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 1 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 4th | 1 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - |
| 5th | 1 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - |
| 6th | 2 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - |
| 7th | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
| 8th | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
| 9th | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
| 10th | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | - | - |
| 11th | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | - | - |
| 12th | 4 | 8 | 4 | 3 | - | - |
| 13th | 4 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 14th | 4 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 15th | 5 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 16th | 5 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |
| 17th | 5 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |
| 18th | 6 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | - |
| 19th | 6 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 20th | 6 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Spellcasting
When you reach 3rd level you gain the ability to cast spells. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and the end of this page to check the Duskblade's Spell list.
Cantrips
You learn 1 cantrip of your choice from the duskblade spell list.
Spell Slots
The Duskblade Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a spell slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
For example, if you know the 1st-level spell fog cloud and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast fog cloud using either slot.
Spells known of 1st-level and Higher
You know three 1st-level duskblade spells of your choice.
The spells known column of the Duskblade Spellcasting table shows when you learn more Duskblade spells of 1st-level or higher. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 6th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.
Whenever you gain a level in this class you can replace one of the Duskblade spells you know with another spell of your choice from the Duskblade spell list. The new spell must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for duskblade spells, since your magic abilities come from years of studying and training.
- Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier
- Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier
Ritual Casting
You can cast a Duskblade spell you know as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag.
Lorekeepers
Once you take this subclass at the 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the history skill.
Arcane Channeling
Beginning at the 3rd level upon taking the Duskblade subclass, you may cast spells using a weapon as your arcane focus. Also, you may deliver touch spells through your melee weapon attacks. You must declare that you will use Arcane Channeling before the attack. If the melee attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved, though if you miss the attack, the spell slot is still expended. You must not be wearing heavy armor to use this feature.
At the 7th level, you may channel Ranged Spell Attacks through your weapon. In this case, the spell hits if the attack hits. If the spell has multiple projectiles, each must be delivered by individual attacks. If there are still projectiles at the end of the turn, the spell effect ends.
Quick Cast
Starting at the 7th level, you may cast any of your known spells and cantrips as a bonus action. You have a single use of this feature that can be used again once you finish a long rest. At the 15th level, this feature can be used again once you finish a short rest.
Improved Arcane Channeling
Starting at 10th level, once you use your Action Surge feature, the second attack action you take may also channel a second spell.
Arcane Curse
At the 15th level, once you hit an enemy with a weapon attack, any save that target makes against your spells is made at disadvantadge for 1 minute. This feature may be used a number of times equal your proficiency bonus.
Annihilate
You reach the epitome of Duskblade prowess. Once per day at level 18, you may cast Disintegrate as a 6th level spell with your Arcane Channeling Feature, only by hitting the target with a melee weapon attack. Once you cast Disintegrate this way, you start concentrating on it for one minute, until you hit a weapon attack while concentrating on this spell and, when that happens, the concentration ends, and the spell effect resolves.
Duskblade Spell List
- Cantrips
- Blade Ward
- Booming Blade
- Guidance
- Light
- Mage Hand
- Mending
- Message
- Minor Illusion
- Shocking Grasp
- Prestidigitation
- Toll the Dead
- True Strike
- 1st Level
- Alarm
- Burning Hands
- Charm Person
- Chaos Bolt
- Detect Magic
- Feather Fall
- Guiding Bolt
- Ice Knife
- Identify
- Illusory Script
- Inflict Wounds
- Mage Armor
- Ray of Sickness
- Sanctuary
- Shield
- Sleep
- 2nd Level
- Acid Arrow
- Darkness
- Detect Thoughts
- Enhance Ability
- Enlarge/Reduce
- Flame Blade
- Hold Person
- Invisibility
- Locate Object
- Magic Weapon
- Mirror Image
- Misty Step
- Ray of Enfeeblement
- Scorching Ray
- Shatter
- 3rd Level
- Bestow Curse
- Blink
- Counterspell
- Dispel Magic
- Elemental Weapon
- Fly
- Gaseous Form
- Glyph of Warding
- Haste
- Phantom Steed
- Remove Curse
- Slow
- Speak with Dead
- Tongues
- Vampiric Touch
- 4th Level
- Arcane Eye
- Banishment
- Dimension Door
- Faithful Hound
- Fire Shield
- Greater Invisibility
- Phantasmal Killer
- Stoneskin
- Stormsphere
- Wall of Fire
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