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

[Neonchameleon]

Elf only. And they can wear heavy armor.

Swordmages aren't Bladesingers. Or the Elf class.

 

[TwoSix]

Laserllama Magus class is the best spellblade class and its free.It solves all the problems brought up in this thread and has been olaytested a ton.

I like Kibbles' version slightly more than Laserllama's, but you can't go wrong with either of them.

 

[DarkCrisis]

Swordmages aren't Bladesingers. Or the Elf class.

Maybe they will be in 5.5E

 

[Shardstone]

Maybe they will be in 5.5E

This comment reeks of Jedi.

 

[mellored]

Meanwhile there's some powerful stuff at low levels that was never meant to go on a tank. Shield, Absorb Elements I'm looking at you.

Right. You don't need high level spells. You need spells that scale with martial abilities.

I.e. Surprise Strike
Bonus action: teleport and have advantage on attacks for that turn.

Work well at level 1, and works with multi-attack, works well with +2d6 on a hit.

I also want to see more done with the Pact Magic chassis

Have you tried a pact of the blade + arch fey?

 

[mellored]

We have enough sword + spell structures. Eldritch Knight, Arcane Trickster, Valor Bard, Bladesinger, Pact Blade.

What we need is more spells that work with sword. (And bow spells for rangers).


Air Cutter: Bonus action
Your next melee attack sends out a wave of energy. You can make melee attacks at 30' until end of your turn.

Teleport Slash: Bonus Action
Teleport 150' and you have advantage on your attacks until the end of your tyou.
At higher level: increase the distance by 10' per spell level above 1

Swap: Bonus Action or Reaction
Swap locations with a willing creature within 30' of you.
You can use this as a reaction when a creature is target by an attack. You then become the target of the attack.
At higher level: increase the distance by 20' per spell level above 1.


Ect...

 

[Neonchameleon]

Have you tried a pact of the blade + arch fey?

It's on my list to play, and it's exactly the sort of thing I'm thinking of with the magic of the teleports (and the At Will Jump invocation is only going to make it even bouncier) synergising with the swordplay. (Not sure whether it's more like the 4e Assault Swordmages or one of the Knight stances that gave a teleport before your attack).

One thing I really want is a couple of alternative Invocations to Lifedrinker for e.g. a psychic blade or elemental blades where you pick the element.

 

[FrogReaver]

Yeah, fighter/wizard has few viable options and all all 1-2 level cheese dips

it's fighter 1 for heavy armor, Con saves and some self-healing, maybe level 2 if you want to sacrifice 1 whole level of spells, but now that is purged in 2024 as there is no 2 spell Actions unless you are EK and rightfully so.

for dip in wizard it's 2 levels of abjurer or warmage and continuing with EK forward. Fighter being 1st level OFC.


having fighter6/wizard 6 instead of fighter 12 or wizard 12 is a very bad character in mechanic sense.

These days I’d prefer fighter 6 / wizard 6 over fighter 12. Going from fighter 6 to fighter 12 just adds so little.

 

[FrogReaver]

Right. You don't need high level spells. You need spells that scale with martial abilities.

I.e. Surprise Strike
Bonus action: teleport and have advantage on attacks for that turn.

Work well at level 1, and works with multi-attack, works well with +2d6 on a hit.

Have you tried a pact of the blade + arch fey?

I like the general direction but it’s a fine line to balance around. What keeps a fighter from just dipping to steal these spells and ending up a better sword mage than a single classes sword mage?

 

[mellored]

One thing I really want is a couple of alternative Invocations to Lifedrinker for e.g. a psychic blade or elemental blades where you pick the element.

Elemental Weapon, and Conjure Minor Elemental will do that.

Not warlock spells though.