Human Wizards wants a Longsword

[GakToid]

One option is to take three feats to use a longsword as both a weapon and implement:

• weapon proficiency (longsword)
• melee training (intelligence)
• arcane implement proficiency or swordmage multiclass (heart of the blade or blade initiate)

Any other options?

Thanks.

-Gak Toid

 

[DEFCON 1]

Take the Staff implement but just call it a longsword. Staff can be used as weapon and implement, so there's no problem refluffing the staff into longsword so long as you don't allow him to then take any Weapon feats related to it (like Weapon Focus - Heavy Blades for example).

 

[Zsig]

Maybe make a Wizard|Swordmage Hybrid?

I know it's not the same but that would be 2 out of 3 feats you listed (and the stats match... mostly)

 

[ppaladin123]

Ok,

There is a scales of war background called, "gritty sergeant" that gives you proficiency with one military weapon of your choice. That gives you longsword proficiency.

Then you can take swordmage multiclass feat to use it with all your implement attacks.

Take intelligent blademaster (swordmage feat) instead of melee training (intelligence) so you don't lose out on damage on your basic attacks.

That's just two feats instead of three, and swordmage multiclass is an excellent feat that you'd probably want to take anyway.

If you just want it for implement attacks, you just need one feat: arcane implement proficiency. You don't need to be proficient in an implement as a weapon to use it simply as a weapon.

 

[AngryMojo]

There's also the Wizard of the Spiral Tower paragon path.

 

[MarkB]

How often do you actually anticipate attacking with the longsword as a weapon? If the answer is "not very", which is the likely answer in practice for a wizard, then forget about the proficiency and melee training feats, and just take the swordmage multiclass.

 

[Klaus]

There's also the Wizard of the Spiral Tower paragon path.

This PP can be used to "free up" any feats taken during the heroic tier to use longswords as an implement.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Another option is to presumably just carry a longsword, and use it without proficiency if the need actually arises!

 

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

If the player wants a mechanical advantage, I'd advise him to find the feats, hybrids, or paragon paths to make this work.

If the player simply wants a different look without a mechanical advantage, I'd reskin the staff as a longsword. I'd allow him to take any staff feat that made sense with the change that he could justify. For example, Hafted Defense requires the use of a staff or polearm in two hands to get a benefit. If he used the longsword with both hands, I'd allow him to gain the benefit from this feat.

If you are feeling more generous, Eladrins have a feat called Eladrin Sword Wizardry which allows the longsword to be used like a wand implement. I wouldn't have a problem with a player making a background that allowed him to take this feat. I'd discuss this with the player the details of how he learned this secret before allowing him to take it though. Some possibilities I'd put to him are

• Were you raised by Eladrin
• Were you accepted into an Eladrin Wizardry school (if so, why)
• Did you kidnap an Eladrin and force him to teach you a technique
• Are you simply obsessed with Eladrin culture and would do anything to be more like one

 

[Plane Sailing]

Taking up Alaxk's point, if there is a feat called Eladrin Sword Wizardry, why not just allow him a feat 'Gandalfs Sword Technique' or whatever, which gives him the same benefit without it being a racial feat at all.

No reason why not, if you want to support it for him.

Cheers