Blackguard Design & Development is up.

[Larrin]

wasnt the blackguard supposed to be a class that uses temporary hitpoints (that he gains from class features or abilities) to power stronger abilities?

from the article

Domination, I feel, embodies the “lawful evil” expression of the blackguard; those dark paladins who choose it grow their power by striking and defeating enemies. The basic mechanism is to grant the blackguard temporary hit points. The character can then sacrifice them to spike the damage for his or her next attack.

So, yes, yes it is.

 

[MrMyth]

Yes, and this preview doesn't dispell that belief, since it shows a tiny fraction of one build of the class.

And, in fact, specifically mentions it, when discussing the two vices, Domination and Fury:

"Domination, I feel, embodies the “lawful evil” expression of the blackguard; those dark paladins who choose it grow their power by striking and defeating enemies. The basic mechanism is to grant the blackguard temporary hit points. The character can then sacrifice them to spike the damage for his or her next attack.

If domination is “lawful evil,” then fury would be “chaotic evil.” These blackguards are a bit more straightforward and deliver extra damage to targets granting them combat advantage. Rather than have to wait for enemies to gain the right condition or to move into flank, the blackguard gains combat advantage each time he or she hits with the green attack power, ferocious strike."

So not every Blackguard thrives on temps - just those with the Vice of Domination. (And I do like the flavor of that, feeding on opponent's power to establish your authority.)

Edit: Ninja'd!

 

[gyor]

The wierd thing is according those who went to ddxp and Paxe that the Blackguard did both. I have admit to being confused now. The only thing I can say is that maybe he is refering to is that maybe the vice based mechanics are based on this concept. If BGs do get different striker features depending on vice I wonder what kind of striker feature a blackguard of greed, tyranny, and lust might be.

 

[Aegeri]

The thing that got me was the at-will was just terrible. I seriously hope there are better choices than that, as there are much better ways of getting CA. Especially if the Blackguard can make good use of cold damage.

 

[Dice4Hire]

My least favorite word in this article was 'anti-hero' Not a fan of that kind of character concept.

The HoS is starting to look better, with some good imagination in there. I'm looking forward to refluffing the book rather drastically for my games, though.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

The thing that got me was the at-will was just terrible. I seriously hope there are better choices than that, as there are much better ways of getting CA. Especially if the Blackguard can make good use of cold damage.

I guess the other at will is your standard. And this one your last resort when there is no other way to get it?

 

[Aegeri]

I guess the other at will is your standard. And this one your last resort when there is no other way to get it?

Problem is it requires hitting and frankly, Wintertouched/Lasting Frost is going to do you a lot better. Or the multitude of other ways of getting CA (most of which require no roll to hit in the first place). I am really hoping they get a cold at-will. I did like that they clearly thought about the necrotic problem and threw cold onto it as well. Necrotic and Cold is a good combination of energy types - just hoping the blackguard has more necrotic + cold powers than just their encounter replacement.

 

[gyor]

I thought that the paragon powers where good especially for encounter powers, each can hit multiple times which is where your sov comes in handy. This would be a good time for the bg of fury to use a power that marks those around him, and then uses slave to fury, so the enemy either attacks some one else and triggers divine sanction or attacks the bg and recieves the punishment of slave to fury.

Proof of Domination is cool too, especially if a power draws the enemies all around you so that you can nail them all. Hit say five and you 15 temps, deal 2w damage, and weaken the enemy plus deal your striker damage. Most encounter powers at 11th level deal 2w damage or maybe three or if a close burst 1 weapon attack deal 1w damage.

The sov could be good for multiple enemy attacks. All so it has no line of effect so you could teleport it behind a wall and use your minor action to ask it what it sees.

Also I am wondering if that is equilent to the first mount feature then what is the equilent to the next feature? The one where you grant flight to other characters and stuff. Greater Servant of Vice?

 

[Drakhar]

Aegeri, I just want to make sure you're not overreacting here, go back and look at the at-will again. It doesn't give CA against the creature you hit, but the first enemy you attack before the end of your next turn, and if I remember correctly from what people have been saying the Blackguards striker mechanic is CA dependent as well, thus allowing you to bounce between targets if needed. IMHO it's far better then Lasting Winter cheese because it doesn't take up two feat slots or lock you into a damage type.

 

[Aegeri]

Aegeri, I just want to make sure you're not overreacting here, go back and look at the at-will again.

No, it still sucks and still relies on hitting an enemy. If it was an effect maybe, but as it is the thing is plain terrible and there really isn't a good use for it. Unless the other at-wills are worse (and I find that a horrifying thought).

It doesn't give CA against the creature you hit, but the first enemy you attack before the end of your next turn, and if I remember correctly from what people have been saying the Blackguards striker mechanic is CA dependent as well

Which is why Lasting Frost/Wintertouched is even better, as it's basically permanent CA once you set it up (not to mention effectively +5 damage as well, which is what makes it really great for a striker - especially a striker with a cold and necrotic keyword encounter power!). There are also far superior ways of generating CA and far more easily than having to hit an enemy in the first place. It's so situational it's just not worthwhile - somewhat of a description of many of the books weaker options.

Also cold is not a commonly resisted damage type and the Blackguard already relies on cold a bit (It's encounter). So there is a REALLY good reason for Blackguards to consider Lasting Frost/Wintertouched. Plus HoS seems to have other cold related feats as well - so cold could be even better again!