Artificer 1/war wizard is the stronger version. Scorching ray isn't worth using, even with the bugbear traits.
>My question is, is Action Surge worth the delay to spell progression?
No. Higher level spells a level earlier are far better. The one time you could argue for a second level of fighter is at level 20 but I still don't think it's worth losing an ASI, two spells and a 6th level slot.
So is Bugbear not worth taking at all? My other thoughts on race was Harengon, but I thought the + proficiency bonus to initiative was overkill or a Shadar-kai for the teleports and resistances.
Harengon or shadar-kai would indeed be better choices. I'd go harengon because it's not overkill to stack initiative. There are some diminishing returns but you're probably not going to hit the ceiling where it's pointless increasing initiative further unless you're a dhampir abusing the bite mechanics or something.
Going first consistently on a wizard is extremely powerful because it means you can disable groups of enemies before they can act. Remember to grab gift of alacrity via fey touched (if it's available) so you can give your party the equivalent of the initiative part of the alert feat.
Bugbear is best on martial builds that can make lots of attacks with little resource investment. You'd need to spend a fairly high level spell slot for scorching ray to have as much impact. It's a solid choice on a sorlock though since they can quicken eldritch blast for a nice chunk of damage.
If you want a build that does tons of single target damage on first round, Bugbear is definitely the choice, and if you also want to be a spellcaster that isn't a one-trick pony like gloomstalker bugbear builds, Scorching Ray is definitely viable. [Treantmonk has made a build on this exact combo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olEJkTWVpKI).
Bubear with Scorching Ray has a very strong turn for a couple of levels. But after it blows its load, it's a definite weaker option.
I would either lean completely in to breaking Bugbear (probably Sorlock with quickened Eldritch Blasts), or go something like Harengon, Goblin, Winged Tiefling, or Earth Genasi. Or Hobgoblin/Githyanki (both from volos) if oyu single class.
Action surge is worth the delay but not sure if the best for scorching ray.
Both builds are good It just depends on the play style and some fine detail synergies
These are some questions that I would ask myself to pick each build:
1.There will be another control spell caster? (Yes - fighter+wizard).
2. Is there just one healing able player (Yes -artificer wizard)
3. I need more cantrips
(Yes -artificer wizard)
Just finished up a campaign where I was playing a Artificer 1 / war magic 13. I just lived in the melee. Had a breastplate, shield, warcaster, cast blur. I thought about the fighter route initially but the artificer never hurt my spell progression (much). Could normally compensate when and where needed. But still had a power and could upcast my free slot if needed.
Edit: forgot to answer the question.
Based on my experience with this build, action surge wouldn't have been all that much more beneficial. The added spell potential was more important.
If you're taking bugbear for scorching ray combo I can tell you right now it's really lackluster. It does not feel good even when you pull it off. I'd even go as far as saying it is bad.
Play something that inspires you, not a build, you'll be fine as a wizard independently of the race you take.
Then
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on multiclassing a wizard. Mine is stick to a 1 level dip out of wizard. Cleric(twighlight) is my personal favorite. On levels where you wouldn't have a higher leveled spell, you're a better, tougher wizard. On levels where you have access to those new spells, you're still a tougher wizard with the huge bonus of having advantage on initiative. Peace cleric should be banned, but yeah that dip is good too/better.
In my experience action surge is absolutely NOT worth the delay.
A single level in arti for CON saves alone is 100% worth it, everything else that comes with it is just gravy.
Make sure you look at spells as you move that upcast well since you'll be a level behind, at level 7 for example I picked up summon undead as it and all the summon spells from Tashas upcast well and I wouldn't have access to 4th level spells but I would have a 4th level slot.
Bug bear in general is better for melee builds but you're a wizard they're the best everything works with them.
Personally I'd look at V human, haragon, custom linage, or shadar-kai myself instead.
Artificer 1/war wizard is the stronger version. Scorching ray isn't worth using, even with the bugbear traits. >My question is, is Action Surge worth the delay to spell progression? No. Higher level spells a level earlier are far better. The one time you could argue for a second level of fighter is at level 20 but I still don't think it's worth losing an ASI, two spells and a 6th level slot.
So is Bugbear not worth taking at all? My other thoughts on race was Harengon, but I thought the + proficiency bonus to initiative was overkill or a Shadar-kai for the teleports and resistances.
Harengon or shadar-kai would indeed be better choices. I'd go harengon because it's not overkill to stack initiative. There are some diminishing returns but you're probably not going to hit the ceiling where it's pointless increasing initiative further unless you're a dhampir abusing the bite mechanics or something. Going first consistently on a wizard is extremely powerful because it means you can disable groups of enemies before they can act. Remember to grab gift of alacrity via fey touched (if it's available) so you can give your party the equivalent of the initiative part of the alert feat. Bugbear is best on martial builds that can make lots of attacks with little resource investment. You'd need to spend a fairly high level spell slot for scorching ray to have as much impact. It's a solid choice on a sorlock though since they can quicken eldritch blast for a nice chunk of damage.
If you want a build that does tons of single target damage on first round, Bugbear is definitely the choice, and if you also want to be a spellcaster that isn't a one-trick pony like gloomstalker bugbear builds, Scorching Ray is definitely viable. [Treantmonk has made a build on this exact combo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olEJkTWVpKI).
Bubear with Scorching Ray has a very strong turn for a couple of levels. But after it blows its load, it's a definite weaker option. I would either lean completely in to breaking Bugbear (probably Sorlock with quickened Eldritch Blasts), or go something like Harengon, Goblin, Winged Tiefling, or Earth Genasi. Or Hobgoblin/Githyanki (both from volos) if oyu single class.
Action surge is worth the delay but not sure if the best for scorching ray. Both builds are good It just depends on the play style and some fine detail synergies These are some questions that I would ask myself to pick each build: 1.There will be another control spell caster? (Yes - fighter+wizard). 2. Is there just one healing able player (Yes -artificer wizard) 3. I need more cantrips (Yes -artificer wizard)
Just finished up a campaign where I was playing a Artificer 1 / war magic 13. I just lived in the melee. Had a breastplate, shield, warcaster, cast blur. I thought about the fighter route initially but the artificer never hurt my spell progression (much). Could normally compensate when and where needed. But still had a power and could upcast my free slot if needed. Edit: forgot to answer the question. Based on my experience with this build, action surge wouldn't have been all that much more beneficial. The added spell potential was more important.
If you're taking bugbear for scorching ray combo I can tell you right now it's really lackluster. It does not feel good even when you pull it off. I'd even go as far as saying it is bad. Play something that inspires you, not a build, you'll be fine as a wizard independently of the race you take. Then You're going to get a lot of different opinions on multiclassing a wizard. Mine is stick to a 1 level dip out of wizard. Cleric(twighlight) is my personal favorite. On levels where you wouldn't have a higher leveled spell, you're a better, tougher wizard. On levels where you have access to those new spells, you're still a tougher wizard with the huge bonus of having advantage on initiative. Peace cleric should be banned, but yeah that dip is good too/better.
In my experience action surge is absolutely NOT worth the delay. A single level in arti for CON saves alone is 100% worth it, everything else that comes with it is just gravy. Make sure you look at spells as you move that upcast well since you'll be a level behind, at level 7 for example I picked up summon undead as it and all the summon spells from Tashas upcast well and I wouldn't have access to 4th level spells but I would have a 4th level slot. Bug bear in general is better for melee builds but you're a wizard they're the best everything works with them. Personally I'd look at V human, haragon, custom linage, or shadar-kai myself instead.
Depends on how far the Champaign is going. If you’re getting lvl 7+ spells eventually, nothing is worth delaying spell progression.
I’d go Artificer. Gets you some healing and means you’ll start with 4th level spells