Generic Human Warblade 1: First Stance

[jasin]

Isn't that what Moment of Perfect Mind is for?

Moment of perfect mind is because you like making your Will saves.

Bolstering voice is because everyone likes making their Will saves.

BTW, does bolstering voice voice bonus apply to yourself? Usually "ally" includes yourself, but somehow I got the feeling it shouldn't. Perhaps it was some other White Raven maneuvers, that didn't really make sense if they could be applied to yourself...

 

[Nail]

Oh please someone else vote for Punishing Stance! No ties!

 

[Simm]

Done!
IMC the only reason why the punishing stance warblade isn't seriously unbalanced in combat is that its player has rotten luck. Not the punishing stance is in itself unbalancing but its a low level party and he is the only front line fighter.

 

[castro3nw]

So I pick Bolstering Voice for now... It's a really nice stand-and-forget that helps out the entire party. (granted not so many will saves at lvl 1.. but there's probably a few)

Otherwise, I also really like Leading the charge over Punishing Stance for groups with more than just one fighty type guy. D6 once, or initiator levelx2 or x3 sometimes?

In all reality though, it's probably best to look down the road a little bit at which maneuvers you'd like to end up with when your Warblade is higher level, since stances count as maneuvers for meeting prereq's to learn new maneuvers/stances. The maneuvers you have will be changing over time as you replace old ones with new ones and it can be a pain to keep track of whether you have the prereq's for what... Stances are forever though.

 

[RigaMortus2]

From my experience playing a martial adept class, you don't really switch stances mid combat all that often. If you look ahead, find out which stances early on will not be as useful or can be replaced by better higher level ones.

 

[enlightened]

From my experience playing a martial adept class, you don't really switch stances mid combat all that often. If you look ahead, find out which stances early on will not be as useful or can be replaced by better higher level ones.

Replaced?

Stances can't be replaced. ......Unless by "replace" you just mean "use instead of".

 

[hong]

Punishing Stance.

At low level, that extra +1d6 damage is big. The Bbn rage without all of the penalties. What's not to like?

I'm not sure why Stance of Clarity is a good idea...+2 AC against one foe, -2 AC against all others.....that sounds lousy.

OTOH, punishing stance is -2 AC against everyone. I go with stance of clarity. At 1st level, it's nice to have that extra margin of error against being taken down with one good roll; a warblade with 15 Str and a 2-handed weapon isn't likely to be wanting for damage.

 

[Nail]

I'm surprised at this poll's outcome! Punishing Stance is so good and Stance of Clarity is so.....lack-luster. Oh well.

 

[hong]

I'm surprised at this poll's outcome! Punishing Stance is so good and Stance of Clarity is so.....lack-luster. Oh well.

It isn't ALL about maximising damage, you know.

 

[Nail]

It isn't ALL about maximising damage, you know.

Really?

Being serious for a moment: Maximizing damage means minimizing the attacks against you. Dead orcs don't cleave.