duskblade-- too powerful?

[Belbarid]

But looking at the duskblade, I just don't see how this thing can be balanced with the other full-BAB classes. Heck, it is a better caster, IMO, than the bard...

And I know that this post is old news, but I just got done making a Duskblade for a new campaign

For the first few levels it isn't that bad. It has a crazy number of 0-level spells compared to any other caster (8/day for an INT of 14 at first level). But the 1st level spell list isn't too bad (well color spray is a nice spell) and the d8 for hitpoints and light armor keep it from being too crazy in hand-to-hand.

8/day? The PHBII that I'm looking at says 3/day. How is an Int of 14 giving an extra 5 spells?

And for that matter, where is Color Spray coming from? It's not on the Dusblade spell list on page 98 of the PHBII.

But by 3rd level the duskblade has gotten a bonus feat (combat casting) and can now cast a touch spell and attack as a standard action. At this point, with chill touch on his spell list, the caster is doing an extra d6 on every attack and possibly 1 point of STR damage (Fort save negates the save). I mean he can cast it 5 times/day at it lasts for 3 hits and he can cast it as part of an attack. Really huge for that level.

Again, where are you looking? I don't see Chill Touch on the list, either.

How is this class NOT broken? It has poor skills (both selection and points) and a d8 for hit points. Other than that it seems pretty darn useful in a fight.

True Strike and Ghoul Touch also mentioned, which I also don't see on the Duskblade's spell list.

What are you looking at that I'm not?

 

[FalcWP]

8/day? The PHBII that I'm looking at says 3/day. How is an Int of 14 giving an extra 5 spells?

And for that matter, where is Color Spray coming from? It's not on the Dusblade spell list on page 98 of the PHBII.

Again, where are you looking? I don't see Chill Touch on the list, either.

True Strike and Ghoul Touch also mentioned, which I also don't see on the Duskblade's spell list.

What are you looking at that I'm not?

The extra cantrips are from Arcane Attunement, which gives them a handful of cantrips as spell-like abilities a number of times per day equal to 3 + Int Modifier.

As for Color Spray, Chill Touch, True Strike, and Ghoul Touch, they (as well as the actual Duskblade spell list) are all on page 24 of the PHB II under "Duskblade Spell List". Page 98 is just new spells from the PHB II that are on their list.

 

[wildstarsreach]

That would be my interpretation, as well, although when I played a Duskblade I had better things to spend feats on than that (just get Mithral Full Plate.. it counts as Medium)

It reads that way to me. My current Duskblade is saving up for mithril fullplate.

 

[Belbarid]

The extra cantrips are from Arcane Attunement, which gives them a handful of cantrips as spell-like abilities a number of times per day equal to 3 + Int Modifier.

As for Color Spray, Chill Touch, True Strike, and Ghoul Touch, they (as well as the actual Duskblade spell list) are all on page 24 of the PHB II under "Duskblade Spell List". Page 98 is just new spells from the PHB II that are on their list.

Huh. Hey- look at that. Guess it helps to read *all* the words on the pages.

Thanks

 

[wildstarsreach]

Is the Duskblade too powerful? No. It is a strong class. It can seem overwhelming in a one or two encounter a day situation. When you stretch out over 3-5 encounters, he comes out only slightly ahead. He is equitable to a fighter. This is an excellent fighter/mage. It is in overall balance moderately weaker than a fighter/wizard/Eldrich Knight build. The difference in the base attack is balanced if the eldrich knight has taken arcane strike. He will do more damage than a duskblade as well all else being equal. The duskblade has greater HP and more than likely a better AC but having the ability to cast up to 9th level spells shows that this is the weaker but sold base class.

I love the class. The real limitation is their spell list. If they didn't have such a restrictive list, their ability to arcane channel would be grotesque. Whereas I would love to see them have a spell such as wraithstrike, their class list is well balance to what they do.

 

[wildstarsreach]

I've made the same mistake about the Duskblade spell list. It is on page 24 of the PHB II.

 

[blargney the second]

It can seem overwhelming in a one or two encounter a day situation. When you stretch out over 3-5 encounters, he comes out only slightly ahead.

I wonder what they're like in parties with classes that have at-will, per-encounter, or always-on staying power. (ie warlocks, Bo9S, dragon shamans, etc)

 

[wildstarsreach]

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/ghoulTouch.htm

I see how you get that. However, I'm 99% sure that because the spell reads "Saving Throw: Fortitude negates" it means that the main effect is negated by a fortitude save.

Mark

He's right above.

Now with regards to spell casting and arcane channeling.

People have stated that chill touch and ghoul touch are a problem.

Procedure. Arcane channeling allows you to transfer the spell you cast in combat and tranfer thru the sword/weapon that round. Chill touch which has a multiple round duration does not. It only lasts for that round. If you cast it normally, you have to personally touch the target, not through your sword. Ghoul touch only works on one opponent.

Blade of blood enhances you blade until discharged for several rounds. If you use shocking grasp as you normally would and not arcane channeling and are using a sword, it was reasonable to be able to discharge this through said weapon.

 

[wildstarsreach]

I wonder what they're like in parties with classes that have at-will, per-encounter, or always-on staying power. (ie warlocks, Bo9S, dragon shamans, etc)

I don't know since I haven't had that opportunity. But they could take reserve feats to stretch out their spell power though I think that as a blaster, they are moving away from what I perceive as their forte.

 

[frankthedm]

I wonder what they're like in parties with classes that have at-will, per-encounter, or always-on staying power. (ie warlocks, Bo9S, dragon shamans, etc)

I predict, unless he paces himself, the duskblade becomes a lazy sacks of &*%$ who always want to waste time and sleep.