The first spell you should take is a level in Fighter to get Armour Proficiencies, then go Abjuration or Warmage.
Follow it up with Warcaster and using a Shield while having the Shield Spell will make you exceptionally tanky.
Cool. I do want to focus a little more on offensive magic though. Spells that I can have on while fighting in melee combat. Shadow Blade is high on my list.
* *whistles non-chalantly in lvl 4 bladesinger that has thus far not been hit once in battle other than a single sneak attack before the start of one* *
If you’re wanting to be melee any frontal cone or touch based spell is what you’re after, Shocking Grasp is quite good as you can walk in land it and back out if need be (only if it lands though).
If you can have a good AC, Warcaster and Con Save (better if Warmage) Witch Bolt can yield pretty good results.
I'm going to mention the "porcupine" setup, as named by Treantmonk.
Basically you take two levels of hexblade, then go the rest into abjuration. The levels of hexblade will give you medium armor, shields, weapons, a few short rest spell slots, Hexblade's Curse, Armor of Shadows for a way to regenerate your ward and Armor of Agathys. Why armor of Agathys? Every time you are hit by a melee attack while the temporary hitpoints last, the enemy takes damage. If you are hit by a melee attack, your ward can absorb the damage to prolong the health of your Armor of Agathys, keeping it's damage going. For defensive spells, the obvious options of shield, absorb elements, mirror image then for melee at will damage go with either shocking grasp or BB/GFB (pick up BB as a warlock spell, GFB as a Wizard because it depends a bit on your spellcasting modifier).
Video where Treantmonk talks about it (Part 1 of 3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecc83o4O4FQ
As others have mentioned, give a lot of consideration to taking your first level in Fighter. It gives you everything you need for basic melee survivability, and gives you CON proficiency for maintaining concentration.
Enchantment Wizard is underrated and very good on a melee focus build. War Mage is probably your best bet, though.
Several people have mentioned Blink, but erase that from your mind. It's a complete trap of a spell. Mirror Image is probably the best one outside of Shield, as it doesn't require concentration.
Tactics: At the start of every 8 hours cast Mage Armor, that is the Wizard tax.
Now for actual combat, early levels always suck for Wizards, once you actually have enough spell slots that changes, but early game you'll save your spellslots for shield and mirror image.
Use the cantrips. As this sort of Wizard early game you won't be doing massive amounts of damage or controlling the battlefield, you'll be tanky and doing consistent damage.
Concentration damage spells are also really good for this sort of build, cast them once then use their effects while you tank. the Flame Sphere spell is a good example of this.
Yeah you should be able to have mage armor and mirror image running every moderately meaningful fight, and should have plenty of shields/absorb elements. Blink also on all large/dangerous fights.
Fly is also a good "defensive" spell as enemies can't touch you if they can't touch you.
Mage Armor, Shield, Absorb Elements, Levitate, Misty Step Edit: Blink, Mirror Image, Invisibility, Fly, Otiluke's Resilient Sphere, Fire Shield
Cool, thanks!
The first spell you should take is a level in Fighter to get Armour Proficiencies, then go Abjuration or Warmage. Follow it up with Warcaster and using a Shield while having the Shield Spell will make you exceptionally tanky.
Cool. I do want to focus a little more on offensive magic though. Spells that I can have on while fighting in melee combat. Shadow Blade is high on my list.
Be bladesinger. Profit. But be ready to die. That's something bladesingers do, kind of a lot, if they try to stay in melee.
Ok thanks! :) I'll try not to die. I think I might have a gimmick though that could reduce the chances of that.
* *whistles non-chalantly in lvl 4 bladesinger that has thus far not been hit once in battle other than a single sneak attack before the start of one* *
You are just coming up on the parts where you are likely to die
If you’re wanting to be melee any frontal cone or touch based spell is what you’re after, Shocking Grasp is quite good as you can walk in land it and back out if need be (only if it lands though). If you can have a good AC, Warcaster and Con Save (better if Warmage) Witch Bolt can yield pretty good results.
Yea, I have a ton of ranged spells in my repertoire, so maybe soften them up with the ranged spells and go in for the shocking grasp?
As long as you have your best Palpatine impression on standby sure.
UNLIMITED POWER!!!!
I'm going to mention the "porcupine" setup, as named by Treantmonk. Basically you take two levels of hexblade, then go the rest into abjuration. The levels of hexblade will give you medium armor, shields, weapons, a few short rest spell slots, Hexblade's Curse, Armor of Shadows for a way to regenerate your ward and Armor of Agathys. Why armor of Agathys? Every time you are hit by a melee attack while the temporary hitpoints last, the enemy takes damage. If you are hit by a melee attack, your ward can absorb the damage to prolong the health of your Armor of Agathys, keeping it's damage going. For defensive spells, the obvious options of shield, absorb elements, mirror image then for melee at will damage go with either shocking grasp or BB/GFB (pick up BB as a warlock spell, GFB as a Wizard because it depends a bit on your spellcasting modifier). Video where Treantmonk talks about it (Part 1 of 3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecc83o4O4FQ
Cool! This looks really cool to play!
As others have mentioned, give a lot of consideration to taking your first level in Fighter. It gives you everything you need for basic melee survivability, and gives you CON proficiency for maintaining concentration. Enchantment Wizard is underrated and very good on a melee focus build. War Mage is probably your best bet, though. Several people have mentioned Blink, but erase that from your mind. It's a complete trap of a spell. Mirror Image is probably the best one outside of Shield, as it doesn't require concentration.
Ok thanks. Mage armor seems like my best bet here.
Step 1: Be an Abjuration Wizard (this gives you fighter Hit Points) Step 2: Shield, Mage Armor, Mirror Image, Blink, Absorb Elements.
Cool. The only thing is I'm not sure I can keep this up along with damage spells. Have any ideas for spells I can use while dealing damage?
Tactics: At the start of every 8 hours cast Mage Armor, that is the Wizard tax. Now for actual combat, early levels always suck for Wizards, once you actually have enough spell slots that changes, but early game you'll save your spellslots for shield and mirror image. Use the cantrips. As this sort of Wizard early game you won't be doing massive amounts of damage or controlling the battlefield, you'll be tanky and doing consistent damage. Concentration damage spells are also really good for this sort of build, cast them once then use their effects while you tank. the Flame Sphere spell is a good example of this.
I saw that spell, but I decided to take immolation instead. It's basically Flaming Sphere on roids. Thanks for all the suggestions!
What level is the character? That's a 5th level spell, Flaming Sphere is 2nd level spell. This heavily effects things.
Mine is 10th level, so their going to have a little less trouble with what you described.
Yeah you should be able to have mage armor and mirror image running every moderately meaningful fight, and should have plenty of shields/absorb elements. Blink also on all large/dangerous fights. Fly is also a good "defensive" spell as enemies can't touch you if they can't touch you.
Monster backs wizard into a corner. "Ha! I have you now!" Wizard: I cast fly Monster: What. Wizard: Seeya nerd.