D&D (2024) How should the Swordmage be implemented in 1DnD?

[Frozen_Heart]

Metamagic was the wizard's thing when it was invented. None of this is carved in stone.

And wizard lost metamagic when it went to sorcerer. You don't have two classes with an identical signature mechanic.

So if the swordmage used a spellbook, wizard would need to get a new signature mechanic. And if both classes had a spellbook, then the swordmage would need its own signature mechanic on top of that such as spellstrike.

 

[cbwjm]

I'm fine with both wizard and swordmage having a spellbook.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

So if the swordmage used a spellbook, wizard would need to get a new signature mechanic.

If the swordmage actually got into the official game, sure. It’s a bad signature mechanic anyway. It’s great as a minor feature, not as the one thing that sets a class apart.

And if both classes had a spellbook, then the swordmage would need its own signature mechanic on top of that such as spellstrike.

Okay.

 

[Minigiant]

Well Spellbooks in 5e are 2 features.

1) The spell holds the wizard's library. The wizard can add spells to the spellbooks.

2) The spells in the spells are can be casted as rituals without being prepared.

The Warlock can do 2. I can see a Swordmage doing it too.

 

[Rystefn]

And wizard lost metamagic when it went to sorcerer. You don't have two classes with an identical signature mechanic.

So if the swordmage used a spellbook, wizard would need to get a new signature mechanic. And if both classes had a spellbook, then the swordmage would need its own signature mechanic on top of that such as spellstrike.

That's the paladin's signature mechanic. Or is it just the arcane classes that get to be unique in your version of the game?

 

[Frozen_Heart]

That's the paladin's signature mechanic. Or is it just the arcane classes that get to be unique in your version of the game?

Divine smite is the Paladin's signature mechanic. Smite spells, and smite spells under a different name (ensnaring strike, lightning arrow, etc) are available to more than just Paladin.

And spellstrike was traditionally more than just a damage dealing mechanic. It could do things like drain HP to give back to the duskblade, or apply a ton of varied status effects.

The only people that think that spellstrikes entire potential is applying XdX damage type and nothing more are the people who have never even looked at the mechanic.

 

[Rystefn]

Divine smite is the Paladin's signature mechanic. Smite spells, and smite spells under a different name (ensnaring strike, lightning arrow, etc) are available to more than just Paladin.

And spellstrike was traditionally more than just a damage dealing mechanic. It could do things like drain HP to give back to the duskblade, or apply a ton of varied status effects.

The only people that think that spellstrikes entire potential is applying XdX damage type and nothing more are the people who have never even looked at the mechanic.

That's smiting. It's literally just smiting. The fact that smite spells show up on places other than the paladin list doesn't make them not part of the paladin's signature deal, it means that their signature deal is already spread around significantly, and you don't have a problem with that.

 

[TwoSix]

That's smiting. It's literally just smiting. The fact that smite spells show up on places other than the paladin list doesn't make them not part of the paladin's signature deal, it means that their signature deal is already spread around significantly, and you don't have a problem with that.

Turning a spell slot into a damage increase on an attack is far too generic a mechanic to limit to just one class.

 

[Rystefn]

Turning a spell slot into a damage increase on an attack is far too generic a mechanic to limit to just one class.

I'd say the same about spell books and turning into animals, but here we are.

 

[Frozen_Heart]

That's smiting. It's literally just smiting. The fact that smite spells show up on places other than the paladin list doesn't make them not part of the paladin's signature deal, it means that their signature deal is already spread around significantly, and you don't have a problem with that.

I've had a problem with that for a long time. The fact that Paladin's signature ability is something so generalized that half the game has it. Likewise I have an issue with Cleric not having a signature ability at all, because Paladin has it too. I've also always had an issue with wizards entire class just being spellbook + big spell list.

Which is why I'm not cheering to double down on this design philosophy.

And like wizard with metamagic, the duskblade was 'smiting' by your definition before paladin had the mechanic. With the paladin's 'smite evil' being a class feature and not a spell.