Is Aegis of Assault the worst mark?

[killbydeath]

Hi

I am playing a genasi swordmage ( how original ) and I got aegis of assault. I've played a figther once until lvl 5 and we got a paladin in the group. The paladin and fighter mark are, from what I've seen, better than the AoA.

Both of the Fighter an paladin mark do something even if the target don't hit, the swordmage one only do something if it hit and you need to hit.

I was wondering if the AoA was some sort of taunt of something, cause in the description it is not supose to be so. If I AoA a creature, it shouldn't attack me because it ain't supose to know I ''marked'' it. That is the only reason I see it would be better that the other mark.

What is your tought about that?

 

[-Avalon-]

First, as far as I have seen, if any target receives any condition, it is aware of that condition, and who put it on them IF they are within line of sight. Since your Genasi is within sight (I assume), the creature would know that you marked it (marked is a condition), and would therefore be aware that if it attacks anyone other than you that the least of its concerns would be a -2 to hit them. It is a form of taunt with special side abilities.

 

[Tellerve]

yep, I agree, been playing a similar character and the AoA just doesn't seem to be good at all IMO. I've had it twice come up in 6 or so sessions, and at least one of those I know, perhaps the second as well, were because the DM wanted something interesting to happen. Basically I have a great way of describing it so he had the enemy do the dumb move and not attack me. Luckily I'm going to be changing it soon under the DMs permission.

 

[RigaMortus2]

To maximize effectiveness, it seems that you want to try and mark your target with AoA and be in a position where it is hard for him to get to you. That way he is either forced to take an OA to get to you, or use his entire turn moving to you, or just not be able to act on his turn, because if he has no other choice but to attack someone else, then you'll gettem.

Perhaps try marking, then charging an enemy farther away, to put distance between you and your mark.

 

[FrozenChrono]

RigaMortus2 is right on.

Swordmages don't work like other defenders. Because you can ignore your mark and it will stay up you can bait your enemy into triggering your mark, hopefully putting them in a position where they either have to provoke and OA, risk triggering your mark, or do nothing.

You tank enemies by moving a bit away from the party (or the party away from you) and using your at wills that have effects if the enemy moves along with your OA's to keep them hitting you. Also teleporting in the middle of a group of enemies and sword bursting tends to get their attention.

So to answer your question Yes and No. Aegis of Assault is not nearly as good at keeping enemies near you or punishing them while they are. But it's way better for forcing enemies into lose-lose situations, giving you tactical advantages, and coolness factor.

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

Aegis of Assault is what the Paladin's Challenge was before it was fixed

"Mark and then Run away" was wrong for Paladins, but ok for Swordmages

 

[Josep]

The problem with trying to get away from the target is that as soon as the Aegis of Assault triggers, the swordmage is right next to his mark again. It's hard to get away from the mark.

The shielding swordmage has a significant advantage in that if he gets away from his mark, then he stays away from the mark and continues to be effective.

 

[FrozenChrono]

The problem with trying to get away from the target is that as soon as the Aegis of Assault triggers, the swordmage is right next to his mark again. It's hard to get away from the mark.

The shielding swordmage has a significant advantage in that if he gets away from his mark, then he stays away from the mark and continues to be effective.

That's why Assault SM's are more likely to pick up teleport powers and why leaders and controllers with all those shift and slide powers are so nice. Mobility is a lot more important for an Assault Swordmage.

 

[killbydeath]

Thinking of what you guys said, I actually think I was playing it wrong. But the fact that we were a 3 PC party may not have helped and all the adventures took part in a dungeon, about 10 creature in a 4x4 terrain to fight. It's a bit tight. Last night our group got TPK. we did not hurt a single enemy within the first 10 rounds, and I am not exagerating. If I do another swordmage one day, I think it will be AoD because it is simply better IMO. Thanks for the reply BTW

 

[Herschel]

As a couple others have mentioned, it's simply a different mark and plays differently. I've had tremendous luck with it and used it and Dimension Swap, etc. to great effect.

You just have to learn how to use it and have people around you working in concert. Having only three in the party can be tough too. I'm guessing your third was a striker.