gearing a duskblade

[evilbob]

Duskblades are interesting wizard/fighter hybrids, but it seems difficult to me to envision gear that would be considered truly useful or unique for their class. Wands do not seem particularly useful for someone who normally has all hands occupied with sword-and-board, and standard fighter-type gear is - while nice - not spectacular in the hands of a average strength 1-hander.

I would appreciate any suggestions of cool gear for a level 6-8 duskblade that's already wearing a +1 full plate (setting aside the debate of whether or not that whatsitsfeat allows duskblades to wear one category heavier armor and assuming that it does) and +1 shield and using a +1 longsword.

 

[Evilhalfling]

You could go with typical adventures equipment:
a +2 stat enhancer (Str/Int/Con)
boots of striding and springing
bag of holding
+2 enhancement to armor
+1 amulet of NAC
+2 cloak resistance
potions of healing
or a buff wand (bull str or animal power)

 

[Stormborn]

Get your STR up as best you can and go for a Falchion and then Improved Critical. My wife's Litorian deals out massive amounts of damage when channeling shocking grasp against armored opponents. Otherwise as stated previously by Evilhalfling.

 

[frankthedm]

Get your STR up as best you can and go for a Falchion and then Improved Critical. My wife's Litorian deals out massive amounts of damage when channeling shocking grasp against armored opponents. Otherwise as stated previously by Evilhalfling.

The crit does not multiply the shocking grasp damage you know...

A duskblade with a shield is not going to be dealing enough damage. Unless the game has options to boost the sheild AC I hope you have not sunk feats into the longsword.

 

[Corsair]

The crit does not multiply the shocking grasp damage you know...

Would it on a 20? As a touch spell, it has the capability to crit. I don't have my PHB2 at work, so I can't check the wording of the channelling ability.

 

[frankthedm]

Would it on a 20? As a touch spell, it has the capability to crit. I don't have my PHB2 at work, so I can't check the wording of the channelling ability.

Not once the spell become extra damage on the weapon.

 

[delericho]

Wands do not seem particularly useful for someone who normally has all hands occupied with sword-and-board,

and

go for a Falchion and then Improved Critical.

Am I missing something? Don't Duskblades need a hand free to cast spells with?

(Note: IDHTBIFOM, so I might well be missing something )

 

[Stormborn]

Yes, I know that the extra spell damage is not multiplied as I agree it becomes extra damage when channeled. However, for a two hand weapon wielder the Falchion is the perfect choice even w/o Improved Crit the 3rd level duskblade with an 18 Str does 2d4+6+3d6 against foes in metal armor. With a crit (18-20/x2) and average die rolls thats something around 36 points of damage.

As for having a had free, given that one would not normally be able to make a melee attack and cast a spell in the same round I have decided as DM that in the process of channeling making the melee attack is the somatic component for any spell that requires it. That would be my interpretation of Shocking Grasp anyway - that the attack was the somatic componet of the spell, and given that the duskblade can only channel touch spells that pretty much covers it. When not channeling any spell with a somatic component would need a hand free as normal.

 

[evilbob]

Don't Duskblades need a hand free to cast spells with?

As I recall, you can wear a light shield and cast spells with that hand without a penalty.

If you're wielding a two-hander, that's even easier: just let go with one hand while you cast.

Also, I agree with Stormborn that it seems implied in the duskblade's description that you don't need a hand free to cast any channeling spells.

That aside:

I appreciate the comment about "standard adventuring gear," but I was wondering if anyone had ideas about something more special or unique that would fit the flavor of the class.

The two-handed weapon comment is also valid, but at the same time keeping up two primary stats - Int and Str - and making sure Con doesn't fall by the wayside at the same time means that a mid-low level duskblade is lucky to have an 18 Str even with enhancement bonuses. Aren't sword-and-board combos still a valid choice these days, or is it pretty much two-hander or forget it?

Edit:

Unless the game has options to boost the sheild AC I hope you have not sunk feats into the longsword.

The PHBII does have some nice shield-boosting feats, as a matter of fact.

 

[Victim]

Two hander + Animated Shield >> Sword and Board. Sigh. Also, the Duskblade spell Deflect provides a shield bonus to AC in emergencies, so there's another reason for the class not to use a shield.

I think a spell storing weapon is a good pick for a Duskblade. Recharging it is no big deal since you can do it yourself. And you could combine your channeled spells with the stored spell for devastating alpha strikes, or effectively channel a spell when you wouldn't otherwise be able to (like when charging). Of course, a +2 weapon is a little pricey at your level but it's still something to work towards.

I don't think Duskblades need that much INT. They can easily avoid DC based spells without losing effectiveness, so the main reason for INT is to get the bonus spells. Given their slow spell progression, it doesn't take too much in items to keep up.

Boots of Striding and Springing are a good pick. My Duskblade has been suffering because of its lack of movement ability.