Changing the Power source of a class?

[Bagpuss]

What is to consider with changing the power source of a class?

One of my players wants to play a Swordmage in a Dark Sun campaign, but doesn't (and neither do I) want to deal with the constant hassle from authorities and pretty much everyone else, from using arcane magic.

What issues would be involving in reflavouring the Swordmage to say a Psionic class, or Primal class for example?

 

[FireLance]

IMO*, none whatsoever, so long as none of the mechanics change. Meaning: even though he's psionic or primal, he still treated mechanically as a member of an arcane class. He doesn't qualify for feats that have the psionic or primal power source as a prerequisite, and he may take feats that have the arcane power source as a prerequisite.

That said, there may be Dark Sun specific arcane feats that have been built around the peculiarities of Dark Sun arcane spellcasting. You might consider barring the character from taking those feats even though he qualifies for them mechanically.

* And there has been at least one pages-long thread where I found out, to my surprise, that this opinion was not only not universal, but actually abhorrent to some.

 

[Alisair Longreach]

If you as the DM are okay with reflavouring the Swordmage class as a Psionic class then do it.

A few Psionic feats might be appropriate but decide on a case by case basis. A few Arcane feats could be considered inappropriate for a Psionic character like the Spellbook feats and the Familiar feats.

You could also rename the Psionic Swordmage to Soulknife for a bit of extra Psionic flavour.

 

[Fifth Element]

Ultimately power source doesn't really matter. Mechanicalluy it's just a word used to group certain things together. So FireLance provides some good advice.

 

[Stumblewyk]

What is to consider with changing the power source of a class?

One of my players wants to play a Swordmage in a Dark Sun campaign, but doesn't (and neither do I) want to deal with the constant hassle from authorities and pretty much everyone else, from using arcane magic.

What issues would be involving in reflavouring the Swordmage to say a Psionic class, or Primal class for example?

Yeah, I don't see a problem with swapping the power source out. I intend to allow Divine classes on a case-by-case basis, but making them servants of the Sorcerer-Kings, either as agents who believe the SK is in fact a God, or by making them Arcane, and turning them into Templars.

In fact, I've got a player who's going be playing a Swordmage who is a Templar, so I don't have the same Swordmage headache you stand to have.

A quick thought...I understand that your player wants to play a Swordmage, but instead of going through the process of turning them into a class of another power source, has your player considered just playing a Warden? That way, instead of flavoring the Swordmage as a Primal class, for example, they can just play a Primal class without all the work for you and them.

 

[Ahrimon]

I'd say just keep it arcane. Most people can't tell the differance unless you defile. There are a lot of arcane folks running around pretending to be primal or psionic. And dealing with occasionally being found out can be a good role playing opportunity. As long as it's kept as something to enhance the game and not "every time I use a power a mob with pitchforks and torches comes out of the woodwork".

 

[Mika]

One idea for a house rule that addresses this topic would be to say that powers with the Weapon keyword are not obvious arcane spells unless accompanied by arcane defiling. Swordmages and to a lesser extend bards and artificers would benefit from being able to use more of their powers openly without getting into trouble.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

I would be open to the idea, but you should keep in mind that there are some hefty benefits to certain power sources. For example there are some excellent feats for dwarves who have a martial power source.

 

[DracoSuave]

One idea for a house rule that addresses this topic would be to say that powers with the Weapon keyword are not obvious arcane spells unless accompanied by arcane defiling. Swordmages and to a lesser extend bards and artificers would benefit from being able to use more of their powers openly without getting into trouble.

Primal's the easiest seeing as that Swordmages are very elemental.

If you imagine some builds of Warden being analogous to the Earth Cleric, then you can imagine a build of Swordmage being analogous to a Fire Cleric or Air Cleric.

But it depends on build, I'd rule... the arcane-hate is an important, almost intrinsic part of the setting itself, and removing defiling 'jyst cause it's a hassle' requires a little more work on part of the player than simply putting forth a complaint.