Complete Warrior base classes

[Klaus]

The Hexblade seems fine, but I'd swap the Familiar for the Arcane Strike feat (spend a spell slot to gain +spell level to attack and +(spell level)d4 to damage for 1 round. Works wonders if you wield two weapons. That way, even if you can't curse an opponent (and you *have* to take Ability Focus for that +2 DC), you just burn out a couple of spells (Extra Slot is much desired) for more offensive oomph.

Plus how can you not like Hound of Doom (summon a non-disbelievable, no-save, no-SR Dire Wolf that has your [full] BAB?).

 

[Shade]

I've refrained from all comments on the CW: Samurai.
It simply does not exists; you ask of it, and I shall answer, whats that? .. and recoil in horror each time I rediscover this poor poor class.

So, essentially, it would be a theoretical sequel to Highlander, say nicknamed "the Sickening", if such an abomination were to truly exist?

 

[smootrk]

The Hexblade should be re-designed with abilities like the Warlock. Seems more appropriate to me.

The Samurai is not so good. There are other variations that work better.

The Swashbuckler is just not developed well enough to make anyone want to be one their whole adventuring career. I think any base class should be designed first and foremost as a 20 level independant carreer. It just does not work if the options pan out early, or are otherwise lacking. Good concept, poor design.

 

[Shade]

The swashbuckler does have a large gap between good abilities, but if you stick with it, the weakening and wounding critical abilities make it worth the price of admission.

 

[Mercule]

There is no Samurai.

I haven't seen Hexblade in play, but it looks slightly weak to me.

One of my players is playing a Swashbuckler. It seems fine, but not particularly interesting -- really like a fighter who traded her feats for some skill points and the ability to actually interact socially. But, I don't have a problem with that, since I just want a viable light warrior class.

Oddly enough, another player (the pure fighter) actually expressed concern to me that the Swashbuckler may be overpowered. I think that may have more to do, though, with the fact that the player of the Swashbuckler actually asks for help with selecting feats for her character, than with the power level of the class.

 

[Enforcer]

The swashbuckler does have a large gap between good abilities, but if you stick with it, the weakening and wounding critical abilities make it worth the price of admission.

Better than what you get from the Duelist prestige class? (I'm honestly asking, I've only played one Swashbuckler and only to level 3.)

 

[Shade]

Better than what you get from the Duelist prestige class? (I'm honestly asking, I've only played one Swashbuckler and only to level 3.)

IMO, yes. But that's just my opinion. I've never been that impressed with the duelist.

 

[Drowbane]

Hexblade: Back before the other Complete books were even out... Hexblade looked like weaksauce.

Hexblade is great, and I have personally played it several times, and I have it in a gestalt character I'm playing right now. Its not powerful by itself, but the curse is lovely, and it has some really nice abilities...

Hmm, even without Gestalt... I'd rather take 6+ levels of Warlock and do the cursing right.

CW Samurai: My initial reaction upon reading this PoS... WTF!! This class trainwreck isn't available in my campaigns... I do offer up the Staredown abilties as a feat-chain though.

Swashbuckler: as many have already stated... nice concept, poorly executed. I give insightful strike to the Unfettered and call it even.

 

[Seeten]

With Gestalt, you get full bab, good will save, arcane resistance, mettle, and the ability to make people fail their saves. I think a 5 level dip is the deepest I'd go, for powergame purposes, and yes, the new Duskblade eclipses it in most ways, but still, its got a niche.

I like Warlock too, but 3/4 bab is not full bab.

 

[Mercule]

the new Duskblade eclipses it in most ways

The new duskblade looks like it'd eclipse a lot. It just looks too powerful.