Arcana Unearthed - Mage Blade question

[Zoatebix]

I'd love to hear how that build turns out, Ulorian - keep us posted!
-George

 

[Monte At Home]

That seems like a good feat selection to me. You'll end up with a potent character who's good with his blade but also able to do a lot with his spells. It's a character concept (and an overall archetype) that I really like.

You might think about getting Rapid Strike earlier. While it's good all the time, it's actually more meaningful at lower levels to get the occasional extra attack.

 

[Tessarael]

That build looks okay. You're essentially trading spellcasting (as a Magister with access to Complex spells) for +5 BAB. If your DM was allowing Spellsword and Eldritch Knight prestige classes, I think you could put together a better high level build with something like Magister/Spellsword/Eldritch Knight.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I'd love to hear how that build turns out, Ulorian - keep us posted!
-George

ubetcha

That seems like a good feat selection to me. You'll end up with a potent character who's good with his blade but also able to do a lot with his spells. It's a character concept (and an overall archetype) that I really like.

Ya, me too (obviously I guess..).

You might think about getting Rapid Strike earlier. While it's good all the time, it's actually more meaningful at lower levels to get the occasional extra attack.

I thought about taking Rapid Strike earlier, but can't think of a good spot into which to squeeze it. Meaning, if I take it earlier I'm not getting some of my Complex spells until later than I would like.

By the way, thanks for creating what I thought was impossible - a D&D-type magic system that has the flexibility of a 'mana point' system. Brilliant work.

That build looks okay. You're essentially trading spellcasting (as a Magister with access to Complex spells) for +5 BAB. If your DM was allowing Spellsword and Eldritch Knight prestige classes, I think you could put together a better high level build with something like Magister/Spellsword/Eldritch Knight.

I can't say I'm a fan of mixing classes and PrCs from different settings unless there's a good reason for it. Besides, I don't even know what a Spellsword is! And I don't think the Eldritch Knight is a necessary PrC in a campaign that includes Mageblades. Having said that, I'm interested in any alternate builds. Can you post your suggested build?

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Name: Trei-Bav
Race: Human
Class: Mageblade
Level: 1
Age: 17
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 174

Abilities (4d6, drop lowest)

S: 13 (increase at level 4)
D: 16
C: 13 (increase at level 8)
I: 12
W: 9 (increase at level 12)
Ch: 16 (increase at level 16, 20)

hp: 9
AC: 19 (20 vs. melee) (21 vs. sword-wielders) (13 vs. touch attack)

Feats

• Natural Swordsman
• Bonded Item
• Defensive Stance

Skills

• Knowledge (Magic) - 4
• Concentration - 4
• Spellcraft - 4

Feat Progression

• level 3 --> Complex spell, level 1
• level 5 (bonus Mageblade) --> Weapon Focus
• level 6 --> Complex spell, level 2
• level 9 --> Weapon Specialization
• level 10 (bonus Mageblade) --> Complex spell, level 3
• level 12 --> Complex spell, level 4
• level 15 --> Complex spell, level 5
• level 15 (bonus Mageblade) --> Improved Critical
• level 18 --> Complex spell, level 6
• level 20 (bonus Mageblade) --> Complex spell, level 7

Equipment: (140 gp)
longsword
chain shirt
long shield
backpack
waterskin
bedroll
flint and steel
whetstone
sewing needle
2 flasks of oil

Edit: Height didn't match Strength, so I rerolled (was 6'5")

 

[fuindordm]

You do realize that there's no requirement you take the Complex Spell feats in order, right? If the first level complex spells don't grab you, then you can skip that level and still get Complex Spells (2nd level).

Also, don't overlook the exotic spell feat. True Strike is a great one for a mage blade,
for example.

Ben

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

You do realize that there's no requirement you take the Complex Spell feats in order, right? If the first level complex spells don't grab you, then you can skip that level and still get Complex Spells (2nd level).

Also, don't overlook the exotic spell feat. True Strike is a great one for a mage blade,
for example.

Ben

I know that taking them in order is not a requirement, but if I'm going to take all seven, there isn't much point in not taking them in order.

You're right about True Strike being a great Exotic spell. This is the kind of advice for which I'm looking. I need recommendations on which Complex Spell feats are worth dropping for other feats (like Exotic Spell (True Strike) or maybe some combat-related feats). Which feat do you think is worth dropping for True Strike?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

That build looks okay. You're essentially trading spellcasting (as a Magister with access to Complex spells) for +5 BAB. If your DM was allowing Spellsword and Eldritch Knight prestige classes, I think you could put together a better high level build with something like Magister/Spellsword/Eldritch Knight.

The Mage Blade has still 2 important advantages compared to any of these builds:
1) Full caster level. Eldritch Knight makes you lose at least one (build into the class), probably more since you need to multiclass to get the martial weapon profiency. This can be important, since it affects duration and overcoming spell resistance, both can be important for a "Mage Blade-look-a-like".
2) "Free" magical weapon. A Mage Blade 20 has one attack less (possibly) than a optimized Eldritch Knight, but the same attack, and an additional +5 to damage. Probably the ELdritch Knight would have a similar enhancement bonus, but he would lack the other gimmicks (Energy Seething, Spellstoring and so on)...

True Strike is a nice spell, but I am not to fond of it - you effectively use one round. There are situation in which it might be good (if you have a special attack you desperately want to hit), but maybe Canny Effort (Heightened) would be sufficient?

Exotic Spell (Learn Greater Secret) isn´t bad. It´s not that powerful for a Mage Blade, since he basically has only one object he really wants this, but on the other hand - it´s another "free" +2 (+3) bonus to all attacks with your Atheme. If you take a few skills that require equipment (Craft, Disable Device maybe), it becomes even better. The main advantage is you will never have to worry about it. Once cast, it´s always on.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

True Strike is a nice spell, but I am not to fond of it - you effectively use one round. There are situation in which it might be good (if you have a special attack you desperately want to hit), but maybe Canny Effort (Heightened) would be sufficient?

Canny Effort applies to skill checks, not attack rolls.

Exotic Spell (Learn Greater Secret) isn´t bad. It´s not that powerful for a Mage Blade, since he basically has only one object he really wants this, but on the other hand - it´s another "free" +2 (+3) bonus to all attacks with your Atheme. If you take a few skills that require equipment (Craft, Disable Device maybe), it becomes even better. The main advantage is you will never have to worry about it. Once cast, it´s always on.

That's another good spell for Mageblades.

I've given it some thought; I'm going to bypass the Exotic spell route. My character concept revolves around exceptionally strong sorcerous ability (somewhat Elric-like), so I'm going to keep all 7 Complex spell feats.

 

[Staffan]

True Strike is a nice spell, but I am not to fond of it - you effectively use one round.

Note that Quicken Spell is a bit different in AU: Requires level 10 and Int 15 (and a truename), can only be used three times per day, but the cost is that the spell is laden, rather than the +4 levels used in D&D. This means that casting Quickened True Strikes is a lot easier at high levels in AU than in D&D.