The iconic elven warrior/mage

Kaodi · Sep 16, 2007

I guess I came to this thread a little late, but I was going to say that the thing to do would be to make a complete " Elf " class for 3e, and then figure out how to reproduce what that does with official classes.

I wish I could take a look at my old issue of Dragon with " The Sword of Justice " . The elf in there plays a fair part in my image of what an elf aught to be.

This also brings to mind that one of the things I hate about the paragon classes is that they say you have to have levels in the appropriate spellcasting class to gain the spellcasting benefits of the paragon. However, to me that rules counter to the entire point of the paragon classes, which is that you aught to be able to take your first three levels of the class ONLY and be the paragon.

nittanytbone · Sep 16, 2007

Olgar Shiverstone said:
So I've decided the character I'll be playing will be a duskblade/wizard, exact balance of classes (and eventual prestige classes) to be determined during the course of the campaign, since I like my characters to grow organically.

1st level will definitely be duskblade; I'm planning on a glaive as a primary weapon and taking true strike and blade of blood as first level spells.

Any suggestions on feats? I'm leaning toward Power Attack, but with the reach weapon Combat Reflexes might be valuable too ...

Why bother diluting either your already glacial duskblade spell progression or your superawesome wizard progression? How is spontaneously casting a true strike and a blade of blood in any way worth giving up a level or two of wizard spellcasting progression?

Just be a wizard or a duskblade. If you want a multiclass fighter/caster, the Duskblade is a warrior who lays a whupping, but he doesn't have the utility of a Fighter/Wizard/Spellsword/EK type.

The elvish racial sub levels for wizards in Races of the Wild can help enhance the racial theme of the character if you like, as could the paragon class (as mentioned).

Olgar Shiverstone · Sep 16, 2007

nittanytbone said:
Why bother diluting either your already glacial duskblade spell progression or your superawesome wizard progression? How is spontaneously casting a true strike and a blade of blood in any way worth giving up a level or two of wizard spellcasting progression?

Just be a wizard or a duskblade. If you want a multiclass fighter/caster, the Duskblade is a warrior who lays a whupping, but he doesn't have the utility of a Fighter/Wizard/Spellsword/EK type.

The elvish racial sub levels for wizards in Races of the Wild can help enhance the racial theme of the character if you like, as could the paragon class (as mentioned).

Flavor, since you asked. I want the theme of the character to be clearly established at level 1, which starting as a duskblade accomplishes. That way the character doesn't suddenly gain magical powers mid-way through his career. We're not starting a campaign at level 16 where the ftr/wiz/Prc/Prc/Prc character can leap fully formed and optimized from the void; we have to evolve that direction. Which is why I'm not planning out every level in advance -- circumstances in the campaign may mean the character will grow in unforseen directions.

I don't intend to stay pure duskblade because I want the increased caster utility. And frankly, there's not much difference mechanically between ftr1/wiz5 and DuB1/wiz5, but there is a world of difference in flavor when you're starting at level 1.

Grimstaff · Sep 16, 2007

The problem with most of these "builds" is that you only attain the Fighter/Mage flavor at about 12-20th level. Big deal.

Some folks might want to *play* a fighter/mage, rather than wait around to be one.

The best solution(and most true to the source inspiration) is, imo, gestalt Fighter/Wizard with the Bard's Light Armored Arcane casting thrown in for good measure. But of course there are "balance" issues with that, so most GMs aren't going to allow it. A +1 ECL would balance it a bit better and keep it at about the same power level as the equivalent 1E Fighter/Magic-User with relation to the rest of the party.

If you want to play a Fighter/mage feeling class from level one, try a elven cleric with one level in wizard, some smart domain and feat selection, and a nice variety of arcane wands that make things go boom.

Aus_Snow · Sep 16, 2007

Actually, to create the uber-elfy elf - to my tastes (with the benefit of hindsight and such) - I'd now be leaning toward Wizard 1 (preferably specialised), Fighter 1 (with the Armoured Mage alternative class feature, from Complete Mage), Ranger 1. Then another level in each. Then perhaps the Abjurant Champion - it really does leave the Eldritch Knight for dead, it seems.

Or maybe R,W,F (or F,W,R) to begin with.

Still not optimised, but in 3e it probably ain't gonna be. So hey, why try?

Anyway, as I said, it would be (to my tastes) a very 'elfy' configuration, within 2-3 levels.

edit --- Somatic Weaponry and Practised Spellcaster would be handy for the above 'uber-elfy' option..

Quartz · Sep 17, 2007

Aren't we missing an obvious choice here: the bard? Slings spells, medium BAB, good skill points, 2 good saves, excellent RP choice. Add in a couple of levels of fighter (or paladin or knight for Cha synergy) as desired.

Darklone · Sep 17, 2007

Quartz said:
Aren't we missing an obvious choice here: the bard? Slings spells, medium BAB, good skill points, 2 good saves, excellent RP choice. Add in a couple of levels of fighter (or paladin or knight for Cha synergy) as desired.

Or the druid. Nature flavor, skills, offensive spellcasting as well as curing. 2 good saves and medium BAB as well.

wildstarsreach · Sep 18, 2007

Before the duskblade the iconic for me was the bladesinger though it was poorly done. With the duskblade, the bladesinger is a was. Though swashbuckler 3/Wiz 5/ bladesinger x was the way I would have gone. A warrior mage is like the swashbuckler who uses manuevor rather than brute force.

Personally, if it were up to me, I would chuck the duskblade, revamp the bladesinger as follows.

Gets 7 levels of spellcasting instead of 5.
Would get upto 3 times usage of the song of celerity.
Would get light armor casting.
Arcane channeling of touch spells.
Also limit that this is an exclusive prestige class. No others allowed.

My suggestions

Nifft · Sep 18, 2007

IMHO just plain Duskblade would be the essential Elf package.

The skills are the same as a Wizard's skills*, and you use Int for your casting stat, so you'll have reasonable skill points, and you can snag a bunch of Knowledge skills if that's your thing.

Cheers, -- N

*) Plus Ride.

The iconic elven warrior/mage

Kaodi

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nittanytbone

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Olgar Shiverstone

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Grimstaff

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Aus_Snow

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Quartz

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Darklone

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wildstarsreach

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Nifft

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