duskblade-- too powerful?

[Mort]

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'v started the Red Hand of Doom adventure: The 4 PC's are a warblade, swordsage, crusader and a duskblade. So far the duskblade is doing just fine both in terms of pacing and in terms of power level. The duskblade does have to pace herself better, but has plenty of spells per day to keep up (at least so far).

 

[Belbarid]

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

So, at least for me, a case of Art imitating Life.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Is the duskblade too powerful? I say no. The reasons are numerous as has been pointed out on this list. It is an effective class through high level. From 15th on it does lose an edge to either a fighter or wizard but is by no means outclassed by them.

One of the misconceptions that I have seen is about the arcane channeling. The spell that is arcane channeled, lasts for only one round. If you cast chill touch normally, it does not work through your sword as an arcane channel would. The only exception would be shocking grasp as a sword is metal and metal is an electrical conductor. The arcane channeling only works with touch spells, not ranged touch spells but just touch spells. You can't use your polar ray channeled through your sword or your disintegrate spell.

 

[hong]

Am I missing something, or do duskblades ONLY get the spells that are listed in the PHB2? Ie, no old reliables like haste, magic missile, fly, etc?

 

[shilsen]

Am I missing something, or do duskblades ONLY get the spells that are listed in the PHB2? Ie, no old reliables like haste, magic missile, fly, etc?

You're corect. And they don't get all the spells in the PHB2, but only the ones on the duskblade spell list (pg.24), and specifically those they choose to learn (they get 1 new spell known per level).

 

[hong]

You're corect. And they don't get all the spells in the PHB2, but only the ones on the duskblade spell list (pg.24), and specifically those they choose to learn (they get 1 new spell known per level).

Mang, that's just cracked.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Mang, that's just cracked.

Maybe but its the balance the class. If you had access to more spells without some specific provisions, the class would then be problematic.

 

[hong]

Maybe but its the balance the class. If you had access to more spells without some specific provisions, the class would then be problematic.

Personally I'd drop the BAB to cleric and give them more spells to choose from (including buffs).

 

[jasin]

Simpsons Unearthed Arcana did it!

Really, the duskblade isn't your typical D&D fighter/wizard. It's much closer to an arcane paladin than an arcane cleric in that it isn't a warrior/spellcaster, but a supernatural warrior.

If you want to be beating up people with a greatsword, but be all crackling with arcane power as you do it, duskblade is great. If you want to be beating people up with a greatsword one moment, but making people fly or scrying on enemies the other, a battle sorcerer is a much better choice.

Of course, the battle sorcerer could do with some interesting (perhaps duskblade-like) specials... But then, so could the sorcerer.

 

[hong]

Speaking of battlemage builds, the eldritch knight in the current game must be the only EK build in the world without Arcane Strike (the guy specialises in ranged attacks and has a bow).