FRPG - In hand.

[ObsidianCrane]

My bad, didn't see that. I'm somewhat surprised that it doesn't give any of the abilities, and that +3 defense bonus is actually better than a shield, yes?

Yes it is, and the Adventurer's Vault solves some of the issue with Bracers being the weaker option to swords. (Iron Armbands of power for example with +2 melee damage)

I am dying to know anything you are willing to tell me about swordmage utilities. I'd also love to hear a little more about the wandering swordmage pp. What exactly does wisdom do for it?

The easy one first. Wandering Swordmage and Wisdom. 11th feature + Wis to Aegis blast, and +Wis to History, 16th feature + Wis to hit and Damage vs opponent who critted you. 11th power + Wis to damage. 12th utility 5+Wis teleport. 20th power do 2d6+ Wis damage.

Swordmage Utilities: Lots of Teleport powers and Stances, many of which create zones. Also powers that give resistances or Defence or Attack bonuses. The Utilities seem to offer a blend of "Leader" and "Controller" options with a few funky movement effects thrown in.

There seems to be a broad break down into Lightning/Thunder, Fire, or Cold Swordmage.

Most of the Encounter powers that are tied to an Aegis can be used in place of the Aegis' basic attack.

 

[ppaladin123]

Yes it is, and the Adventurer's Vault solves some of the issue with Bracers being the weaker option to swords. (Iron Armbands of power for example with +2 melee damage)



The easy one first. Wandering Swordmage and Wisdom. 11th feature + Wis to Aegis blast, and +Wis to History, 16th feature + Wis to hit and Damage vs opponent who critted you. 11th power + Wis to damage. 12th utility 5+Wis teleport. 20th power do 2d6+ Wis damage.

Swordmage Utilities: Lots of Teleport powers and Stances, many of which create zones. Also powers that give resistances or Defence or Attack bonuses. The Utilities seem to offer a blend of "Leader" and "Controller" options with a few funky movement effects thrown in.

There seems to be a broad break down into Lightning/Thunder, Fire, or Cold Swordmage.

Most of the Encounter powers that are tied to an Aegis can be used in place of the Aegis' basic attack.

Interesting. Thanks! Regarding the resistant/defense utilities.....are there any that do anything about the swordmage's low will defense? I fear charms and psychic effects since wisdom and charisma are dump stats (if you don't take the wandering swordmage pp).

 

[fissionessence]

The Swordmage Multi feat gives you Arcana and the Swordmage Warding feature.

This is very bad news for my warlock who was going to become a multiclass swordmage. I was really looking forward to that aegis teleport.

~

 

[Kinie]

Now, does anything with the Swordmage powers jump out at you as possibly being broken? From what You've said so far, sounds like that a Swordmage will be teleporting all over the place and either reducing damage or dealing damage, or teleporting through a utility to get into - or away form - the action.

Is there any other benefit - or negative - to having a spellscar listed in the feat besides what you've already said? And does it say if the spellscar counts as your other multiclass; like, could you be a Swordmage/Fighter/Spellscar?

 

[ObsidianCrane]

Spellscarred is a mutliclass feat so no Fighter/Swordmage/Spellscarred etc.

Ah the answer to the issue with Swordmage's low Will is not to Dump stat them. The class has a +2 Will so a 14 Wisdom or Charisma will get you a respectable 14 in Will defence. Then if you want more you will need to pick up items to sure it up. Further Intelligent Blademaster lets you essentially forget about Strength anyway giving you Con, Int and either Cha or Wis as your 3 stats to focus on, with Int the clear priority.

Swordmages are the "go to the trouble" type of defender, rather than the Fighter "the trouble is comming to me" style.

 

[Ravingdork]

There are half-orcs now?

Are they as weak as they were in v3.5?

 

[Alonbeny]

There are half-orcs now?

Are they as weak as they were in v3.5?

No as it'll go out in PHBII.

 

[Hermod]

Wait... the Swordmage multiclass feat gives you their warding ability? Am I crazy or does that seem incredibly powerful? I mean +3 ac to rogues, warlocks and wizards. +1 ac for most Defenders... Is there something I'm missing here?

 

[BarkingDeathSquirrel]

Wait... the Swordmage multiclass feat gives you their warding ability? Am I crazy or does that seem incredibly powerful? I mean +3 ac to rogues, warlocks and wizards. +1 ac for most Defenders... Is there something I'm missing here?

It's once per day, lasting for an encounter.

 

[Hermod]

It's once per day, lasting for an encounter.

Ah, well that fixes that. Thanks.