Feat for a 3rd-level duskblade?

[Fifth Element]

I'm playing an elf duskblade on the verge of 3rd level, and I'm having a devil of a time coming up with a good feat to take at 3rd level. 1st feat is Power Attack.

Most "Complete X" books are in play. I'm considering Smiting Spell for 6th and Arcane Strike for 9th. I would take Smiting Spell at 3rd to open up the possibility of Arcane Thesis at 6th, but at 3rd level I could only use 0-level spells for Smiting Spell, and that's hardly exciting.

I've also considered Battle Caster to get heavier armour, but the duskblade gradually gets heavier armour anyway (starting at 4th) so that seems like a bit of a waste.

Suggestions?

 

[szilard]

If you have a number of swift spells (swift invisibility and the like), Improved Initiative becomes very nice.

Also, Improved Toughness could help make up for a lack of hp.

Weapon Focus? Not too exciting... but effective.

You might also want to look at some of the feats in Bo9S, if they are allowed.

-Stuart

 

[Fifth Element]

If you have a number of swift spells (swift invisibility and the like), Improved Initiative becomes very nice.

Also, Improved Toughness could help make up for a lack of hp.

Weapon Focus? Not too exciting... but effective.

You might also want to look at some of the feats in Bo9S, if they are allowed.

Bo9S is out. Good point about Improved Initiative, that might be worth looking at.

 

[blargney the second]

Cleave.

 

[Fifth Element]

Cleave.

I suppose that's obvious enough. I do expect the party to be wading knee-deep in humanoids fairly soon, so that's another good one to consider.

 

[blargney the second]

It starts out strong, and it'll just get better and better with Arcane Strike.

 

[Fifth Element]

It starts out strong, and it'll just get better and better with Arcane Strike.

Indeed. Interesting...

Hadn't really thought about it, but with all the potential a duskblade has for adding damage to an attack (more likely to drop an opponent), Cleave should be very useful.

I think you've sold me.

 

[blargney the second]

Anything that adds to your attack/damage for the round makes Cleave rock. I can't remember exactly, but don't the channeled touch spells at higher levels apply to all attacks made during the round?

 

[Fifth Element]

Anything that adds to your attack/damage for the round makes Cleave rock. I can't remember exactly, but don't the channeled touch spells at higher levels apply to all attacks made during the round?

At 13th level the channeled spell applies to all targets in a full attack. I don't think an individual target can be hit with the same spell more than once though. (Though I don't have my book with me).

 

[blargney the second]

"you can cast any touch spell you know as part of a full attack action, and the spell affects each target you hit in melee combat that round."

Yeah, I can see that being interpreted either way with respect to affecting the same target more than once. Has there been any clarification in errata or faqs?