1. If you plan on being up close, bard for sure. The Dex saves will come in handy for staying alive from all the damaging spells. We don't know how much controlling spells the enemies are going to use, but maybe on tactician you'll want Wisdom saves more.
Even if you just do one level of bard and then swap to lock for 3 levels to get your melee up and running, having that one level will double your spell slots over going three warlock first.
The other benefit of Bard first is skill selection. If you plan on getting a range of skills starting with them is the best bet. We aren't sure if we get to pick skills when multi-classing or if they are going to just force one on us (if they do you'll probably end up with performance if you start warlock and switch to bard).
2. Pact of the blade 100% it makes you the SADest character in the game. Use both of your ASIs on Cha and both your melee and spells are at +5. You can then have some points for Str so you can carry your armor. Probably something like 12 14 14 10 10 16 to keep you survivable and still capable of lifting your own weight. Though with wisdom checks being so pervasive, you may want to give it the 12. On your first play though, I would advise against dumping any stats, but you can do 10 14 16 8 10 16 if you want the extra Con.
Thank you so very much.
That's extremely helpful.
Now I've got my Rogue/Arcane Trickster prepped, (in my head), and BardLock... hmmmm... who is next? 🤣
