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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Elder-Basilisk" data-source="post: 1135809" data-attributes="member: 3146">Not quite. Assuming, for the sake of comparison, a wizard has the choice between taking four levels of wizard or a similar prestige class (alienist, elemental savant, etc) (+2 BAB, 4 caster levels) wearing armor and using still spell or taking four levels of spellsword (+3 BAB, 2 caster levels).At caster level  8, the wizard has a base of 4/3/3/2 spells after taking Still Spell into account.At caster level 6, the spellsword has 4/3/3/2 as well. Advantage wizard (since he can use some spells that don't have somatic components or long duration spells (at least in 3.0--there aren't many in 3.5)).However, at the high end, the wizard loses his advantage.Clvl 19 with Still Spell: 4/4/4/4/4/4/3/3Clvl 17 spellsword: 4/4/4/4/4/4/4/3/2/1The Spellsword can cast any 9th level spell he wants without risking failure. The normal fighter/wizard has to use those slots for stilled 8th level spells or for spells without somatic components.If the character takes only two levels of spellsword (enough to wear a mithral chain shirt without spell failure), the advantage kicks in immediately:Ftr/Wiz Clvl 8:  4/3/3/2Spellsword clvl 7: 4/4/3/2/1Even when the Ftr/Wiz catches up to the spellsword's highest level spells, he's still behind in spells/day:Ftr/Wiz Clvl 9: 4/4/3/2/1Splswd  Clvl 8: 4/4/3/3/2Taking two levels of Spellsword is superior to two levels of a wizard class and using Still Spell if you wear a mithral chain shirt. Taking four levels of Spellsword could possibly be worth it for the extra hit points, saves, and point of base attack bonus--however, at that point you have the same spells as someone using Still Spell so you're actually making Spell Failure a more significant factor for you (since you suffer from spell failure > 15% but the wizard character doesn't ever suffer from spell failure).If you're not wearing armor, there's no reason to take the Spellsword class--we're agreed there. However, spells without somatic components are typically underperformers for their level. I'd put it this way: the spellsword loses too many caster levels for its major benefit to be worth pursuing for more than 4 levels at the very most. Two levels is generally all that is worth taking. Spellswords should have at least 3/4 spellcasting progression. (Even losing one caster level (like the Eldritch Knight) could be balanced).Hmmm. Let me see. Empowered Magic Missile 1.5x(5d4+5)=avg 26.5 points of damage or +2 flaming Greatsword+magic missile (2d6+8+1d6)+4d4+4 avg 32.5 points of damage. (There is, naturally, a chance to miss, but it can be cut down to 5% and the damage jacked up by casting True Strike and delivering the attack via Expert Tactician). And even if the spellsword took 4 levels of Spellsword, he still (effectively) spent a lower level spell slot since the non-spellsword can't still and empower all of the spells the spellsword could cast without being 6 caster levels ahead. And the non-spellsword is really only two caster levels ahead of the character with four spellsword levels.</blockquote>

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