Builds
In all of my builds, I will begin by leaving out any magic items that are not required for the build to function and assume that the campaign is using inherent bonuses to compensate. Please note that these builds are not fully optimized. Most of them will have a few feats which can swapped out to taste, or to take advantage of party synergies, and the choice of race is usually not fixed in stone. The Eternal must be a revenant, but the choice of soul is up to you. The Elemental Warriors both work best with a specific race (eladrin for the Bralani Wintersoul paragon path, and tiefling for the racial feats and epic destiny). Trying to stay on the bleeding edge of optimization requires a lot of upkeep, and is more vulnerable to errata. They are optimized enough to show the themes of each of the builds.
All feats which are colored red are primarily offensive in nature, while feats colored blue are primarily defensive (either defensive of the swordmage, or of his party). This coloring can differ between builds. An assault swordmage who doesn't focus on Strength would need Intelligent Blademaster for offense with the aegis-granted attacks, while an ensnaring swordmage who takes that feat to have a more threatening OA is using it more as defense. This way, if your group needs a more aggressive swordmage, or if you’re the secondary defender, you have a better idea of which feats to swap out.
The Eternal
The purpose of this build is to show how a revenant swordmage can work, despite lacking the ever-important bonus to Intelligence. I found that spending the extra points for Int 18 weakened the rest of the build too much (inability to qualify for Greater Swordmage Warding is rough, as are very low defenses), but 17 was doable. There are a few free feats that can be swapped to taste, namely Death's Blessing, Shared Danger Sense, and the two Vistani feats. You can also lose Epic Reflexes without exposing yourself to a great deal of danger. The choice of githzerai soul was made primarily for access to Githzerai Blademaster, though it also adds a nice bit of story justification for the Planeshaper epic destiny. Once you gain Fierce Vitality in paragon, you fight better while dying than with hit points. Only get your leader to help you when you're close to negative bloodied, or when you've failed enough death saves.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Deadhead, level 30
Revenant, Swordmage, Coronal Guard, Planeshaper
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Choose your Race in Life: Githzerai
Background: Cursed (+2 to Intimidate)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 24, Dex 14, Int 26, Wis 10, Cha 16.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 14, Dex 10, Int 17, Wis 8, Cha 13.
AC: 50 Fort: 44 Reflex: 45 Will: 42
HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +28, Intimidate +27, Endurance +29, Athletics +22
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +17, Bluff +18, Diplomacy +18, Dungeoneering +15, Heal +15, History +23, Insight +15, Nature +15, Perception +15, Religion +23, Stealth +17, Streetwise +18, Thievery +17
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2:
Githzerai Blade Master
Level 4:
Versatile Expertise
Level 6:
Death's Quickening (retrained to
Ghostly Vitality at Level 22)
Level 8: Death's Blessing
Level 10:
Aegis Vitality (retrained to
Greater Swordmage Warding at Level 11)
Level 11:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 12:
Fierce Vitality
Level 14:
Death Scorned
Level 16: Shared Danger Sense
Level 18:
Improved Swordmage Warding
Level 20:
Greater Aegis of Shielding
Level 21:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 22: Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 24: Vistani Heritage
Level 26: Vistani Foresight
Level 28:
Epic Will
Level 30:
Epic Fortitude
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder
Swordmage utility 2: Dimensional Warp
Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step
Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 9: Troll Rampage
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Binding Light (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Dimensional Thunder)
Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls
Swordmage encounter 17: Necromantic Disruption (replaces Transposing Lunge)
Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage utility 22: Ghost Walk
Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 25: Quicksilver Blade (replaces Troll Rampage)
Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Binding Light)
Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)
ITEMS
Bastard sword, Leather Armor
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The Slow-Miser
The purpose of this build is to take advantage of the many ways an ensnaring swordmage has to slow or immobilize targets. This pays dividends in paragon tier when Deadly Immobilization becomes available. Between that and Heavy Blade Opportunity combining with Sudden Roots (the reason for the multiclass warden), any opportunity attack you do adds your Constitution modifier to the damage, and at level 18, gives you combat advantage against the target. The choice of genasi elemental manifestations gives you added longevity. If your enemies can't get away from you and start attacking you, you've got three encounter immediate interrupts to reduce the damage they deal.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Ember, level 30
Genasi, Swordmage, Scion of Absence, Demigod
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Ensnarement
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Constitution
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Intelligence
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Elemental Manifestation: Cindersoul
Extra Manifestation: Voidsoul
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 17, Con 24, Dex 16, Int 28, Wis 10, Cha 12.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 14, Dex 14, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 10.
AC: 50 Fort: 40 Reflex: 46 Will: 40
HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +29, Athletics +23, Nature +22
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +18, Bluff +16, Diplomacy +16, Dungeoneering +15, Heal +15, Insight +15, Intimidate +16, Perception +15, Religion +24, Stealth +18, Streetwise +16, Thievery +18
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2: Defender of the Wild
Level 4:
Sudden Roots
Level 6:
Versatile Expertise
Level 8: Extra Manifestation
Level 10:
Grasping Ensnarement (retrained to
Heavy Blade Opportunity at Level 11)
Level 11:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 12:
Deadly Immobilization
Level 14:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 16:
Manifest Healing
Level 18:
Vicious Advantage
Level 20:
Improved Swordmage Warding
Level 21: Double Manifestation
Level 22:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 24:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 26:
Epic Will
Level 28:
Strength Through Challenge
Level 30:
Epic Reflexes
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Frostwind Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder
Swordmage utility 2: Arcane Mutterings
Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 5: Theft of Alacrity
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step
Swordmage encounter 7: Isolating Slam
Swordmage daily 9: Blade Bolt
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Eldritch Chains (replaces Dimensional Thunder)
Swordmage utility 16: Unerring Parry
Swordmage encounter 17: Spidersilk Slash (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 19: Ward of Scales (replaces Theft of Alacrity)
Swordmage utility 22: Eyes of the Mage
Swordmage encounter 23: Aegis Bolt (replaces Isolating Slam)
Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Blade Bolt)
Swordmage encounter 27: Wrath of the Arctic Wind (replaces Spidersilk Slash)
Swordmage daily 29: Constrictor's Strike (replaces Ward of Scales)
ITEMS
Longsword, Leather Armor
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The Thunderball
While the Thunderball has weakened considerably with the loss of Expand Spell, it's still reasonably effective. The purpose of this build is to use as many close burst powers as possible to affect all the enemies around you. The name of the build comes from the Resounding Thunder/Arcane Admixture combination which changes Sword Burst into close burst 2 by giving it the thunder keyword. Other powers chosen either can be used outside of the normal turn order or are also close attacks which can benefit from Resounding Thunder. The example below uses the Wandering Swordmage paragon path to get a ridiculously large aegis (close burst 9), and chooses the Chosen of Erathis epic destiny in order to get a crit range of 16-20 on all uses of Sword Burst in an encounter.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Mad Max, level 30
Deva, Swordmage, Wandering Swordmage, Chosen
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Intelligence
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Wisdom
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst
Quickened Spellcasting: Sword Burst
Background: Thay (Thay Benefit)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 14, Dex 12, Int 30, Wis 24, Cha 10.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 12, Dex 10, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 8.
AC: 50 Fort: 39 Reflex: 43 Will: 42
HP: 219 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 54
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +30, History +39, Endurance +22, Athletics +22, Religion +32
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +22, Heal +22, Insight +22, Intimidate +15, Nature +22, Perception +22, Stealth +16, Streetwise +15, Thievery +16
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2:
White Lotus Riposte
Level 4:
Versatile Expertise
Level 6:
Coordinated Explosion
Level 8:
Implement Focus (Heavy Blade)
Level 10:
Toughness (retrained to
Greater Swordmage Warding at Level 11)
Level 11:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 12: Arcane Admixture
Level 14:
Resounding Thunder
Level 16: Mark of Storm
Level 18:
Echoes of Thunder
Level 20:
Solid Sound
Level 21:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 22:
Greater Aegis of Shielding
Level 24:
Strength Through Challenge
Level 26:
Quickened Spellcasting
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30:
Epic Resurgence
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Frost Backlash
Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields
Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step
Swordmage encounter 7: Echoes of Sword Magic
Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Frost Backlash)
Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Echoes of Sword Magic)
Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might
Swordmage encounter 23: Thunder Riposte (replaces Ensnaring Bolts)
Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Forceful Dismissal)
Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Transposing Lunge)
Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)
ITEMS
Longsword, Leather Armor
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The Polearm Moment
The purpose of this build is to use the combination of Polearm Momentum, Mark of Storm, Rushing Cleats, and Arcane Admixture (thunder) to make any single power slide each target it hits 2 squares and knock those targets prone. As with the Thunderball build, Sword Burst is the best choice for such a power, since it can hit the greatest number of targets every given round. Compared to the Thunderball build, this build focuses more on control than on pure damage. Two examples of the build are given.
The first is a shadar-kai assault swordmage which can also use Polearm Momentum with its aegis of assault attacks (Booming Blade) thanks to the Sword of Assault paragon path. It makes use of Archlich to help increase damage after teleporting in with an aegis attack, as well as to improve some defensive capabilities.
Shadow, Shadar-Kai Swordmage
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Shadow, level 30
Shadar-kai, Swordmage, Sword of Assault, Archlich
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Assault
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst
Quickened Spellcasting: Sword Burst
Background: Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 22, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 28, Wis 16, Cha 10.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 11, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8.
AC: 48 Fort: 44 Reflex: 43 Will: 42
HP: 217 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 54
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +21, Athletics +26, Religion +29, Intimidate +20
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +20, Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +18, Heal +18, Insight +18, Nature +18, Perception +18, Stealth +20, Streetwise +15, Thievery +18
FEATS
Level 1:
Versatile Expertise
Level 2:
Intelligent Blademaster (retrained to Polearm Momentum at Level 11)
Level 4: Battle Awareness
Level 6:
White Lotus Riposte
Level 8: Devious Jaunt
Level 10: Mark of Storm
Level 11: Arcane Admixture
Level 12:
Resounding Thunder
Level 14:
Shadowed Aegis
Level 16:
Echoes of Thunder
Level 18:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 20:
Hafted Defense
Level 21:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 22:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 24:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 26:
Epic Will
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30:
Quickened Spellcasting
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Burning Blade
Swordmage utility 2: Dimensional Warp
Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 5: Elemental Foible
Swordmage utility 6: Swordmage's Decree
Swordmage encounter 7: Watchful Strike
Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal
Swordmage utility 10: Like a Feather
Swordmage encounter 13: Acid Burst Blade (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Burning Mantle (replaces Elemental Foible)
Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Watchful Strike)
Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Burning Blade)
Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift
Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Acid Burst Blade)
Swordmage daily 25: Invincible Rampage (replaces Forceful Dismissal)
Swordmage encounter 27: Maelstrom Blade (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Burning Mantle)
ITEMS
Rushing Cleats (heroic tier), Glaive, Leather Armor
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The second is an eladrin shielding swordmage that is more defensively oriented, trying to keep away from any targets it has marked to ensure the use of an immediate interrupt in any given turn. As a note, this character uses Sage of Ages as its epic destiny. While only basic equipment is given here, a full build of this character would have every source of Arcana bonus that it can find once it hits level 26. Trick of Knowledge is worth it. Thanks to mellored for providing the initial basis for this build in this thread.
Mellored, Eladrin Swordmage
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Mellored, level 30
Eladrin, Swordmage, Academy Master, Sage of Ages
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst
Background: Birth - On Another Plane (+2 to Arcana)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 15, Con 21, Dex 16, Int 26, Wis 16, Cha 10.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 13, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8.
AC: 48 Fort: 42 Reflex: 42 Will: 43
HP: 210 Surges: 13 Surge Value: 52
TRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +23, Arcana +45, History +36, Endurance +25, Athletics +22, Nature +29, Heal +23
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +24, Insight +18, Intimidate +15, Perception +18, Religion +29, Stealth +18, Streetwise +15, Thievery +18
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2: Battle Awareness
Level 4:
Versatile Expertise
Level 6:
Improved Swordmage Warding
Level 8: Mark of Storm
Level 10: Arcane Familiar
Level 11: Polearm Momentum
Level 12: Arcane Admixture
Level 14:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 16:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 18: Resounding Thunder
Level 20:
Hafted Defense
Level 21:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 22:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 24:
Epic Will
Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana)
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30:
Alert Familiar
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Luring Strike
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone
Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder
Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields (retrained to Arcane Insight at Acolyte Power)
Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step
Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 9: Be Gone
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Fist of Force (replaces Flame Cyclone)
Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Be Gone)
Swordmage utility 16: Bolstering Warding
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Transposing Lunge)
Swordmage daily 19: Planar Shock (replaces Dimensional Thunder)
Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift
Swordmage encounter 23: Thunder Riposte (replaces Fist of Force)
Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)
ITEMS
Leather Armor, Glaive, Rushing Cleats (heroic tier)
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Thunder and Mind
The essence of this build is courtesy of Corwynn, while the particular build comes from me. The explanation of the theme is below:
This came out of two things: a burst 2 Swordburst is tons of fun, and Psychic Lock is powerful when you hit multiple targets.
Overview:
The Psychic Lock feat is an incredibly powerful tool. It essentially gives +2 defenses to all your allies (and yourself!) vs. any affected targets. That makes your job of defending easier. So we use a Githyanki Silver Sword to make our powers do Psychic damage, and have the Psychic keyword.
But it only really works well if you can affect multiple opponents. So it synergizes very well with AoEs. Hence, it would synergize very well with an enlarged Swordburst.
If you've had a chance to play a Swordmage that does a burst 2 Swordburst, you know how potent this is (and how much fun it is). You triple the amount of squares you affect (from 8 to 24). I attack about 3 targets on average (usually all the melee enemies). Combined with potent disincentives (Transposing Lunge, Dimensional Vortex, etc...) it's also not uncommon to draw a lot of heat, hence White Lotus feats (plus Psychic Lock which also benefits you) become very useful.
To do this we use the Resounding Thunder feat, which requires us to have powers with the Thunder keyword. That's where the Primordial Blade ability of the Malec-Keth Janissary comes in. It adds 1d4 extra thunder damage to all your attacks. This adds the Thunder keyword to all your powers. For this framework, hitting and multi-marking are very important. Your Psychic Lock, Imm Interrupt Swordmage powers, and White Lotus feats that make this framework fun will benefit from multi-marking and hitting consistently. Fortunately, as soon as you hit Paragon you should be marking 3+ targets every combat (Double Aegis + Swordmage's Decree, + other situational powers).
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Corwynn, level 30
Human, Swordmage, Malec-Keth Janissary, Ceaseless Guardian
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Devshirme Training: Gain Training in a skill
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Guardian Mindfulness: Guardian Mindfulness Intelligence
Background: Gray Vale (Gray Vale Benefit)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 24, Dex 10, Int 28, Wis 14, Cha 12
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 8, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10.
AC: 49 Fort: 45 Reflex: 43 Will: 42
HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Insight +22, Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +28, Athletics +22, Nature +24
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +15, Bluff +16, Diplomacy +16, Dungeoneering +17, Heal +17, Intimidate +16, Perception +17, Religion +24, Stealth +15, Streetwise +16, Thievery +15
FEATS
Human: Intelligent Blademaster
Level 1:
Versatile Expertise
Level 2:
White Lotus Riposte
Level 4: Mark of Storm
Level 6:
Arcane Familiar
Level 8: Skill Power
Level 10:
Toughness (retrained to
Greater Swordmage Warding at Level 11)
Level 11:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 12:
Psychic Lock
Level 14:
Greater Aegis of Shielding
Level 16: Resounding Thunder
Level 18:
Alert Familiar
Level 20: Sight of the Familiar
Level 21:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 22:
Strength Through Challenge
Level 24:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 26:
Epic Will
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30: Superior Initiative
POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Booming Blade
Skill Power: Insightful Riposte
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Lightning Lure
Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone
Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder
Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields
Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Swordmage's Decree
Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Silverlight Strike (replaces Flame Cyclone)
Swordmage daily 15: Eldritch Chains (replaces Dimensional Thunder)
Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Transposing Lunge)
Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift
Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Silverlight Strike)
Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Forceful Dismissal)
Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Radiant Shield)
Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Eldritch Chains)
ITEMS
Githyanki Silver Longsword +6, Leather Armor
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Elemental Warriors
All the way back in Dragon 367, swordmages had an article which provided some heroic-tier powers for fire, cold, lightning, and thunder. Some of these powers, such as Dimensional Thunder, were good for any swordmage. Many of them were only good as part of a theme. Now, nearly two years later, there has been enough support for these elemental-themed characters to make them competitive. Two such swordmages follow - Chill, the eladrin swordmage themed around cold, and Singe, the tiefling swordmage themed around fire.
Chill, Coldmage
Chill has enough choices with swordmage cold powers that he doesn't need to take a frost or chillwind weapon. With his paragon path's level 16 feature, any enemy that starts its turn next to him is slowed until the end of his turn. This makes him very sticky for an assault swordmage, especially in conjunction with Frigid Blade (which is nearly as good as immobilization). There's also good synergy between Lasting Frost/Wintertouched and Starborn, increasing the damage of your attacks even further. Obviously, if you can get a frost or chillwind weapon, you have more freedom in power selection (as well as getting the LF/W bonus on your aegis of assault attacks).
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Chill, level 30
Eladrin, Swordmage, Bralani Wintersoul, Radiant One
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Assault
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Cold
Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 24, Dex 13, Int 26, Wis 10, Cha 15.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 11, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 13.
AC: 49 Fort: 44 Reflex: 45 Will: 44
HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +21, Arcana +30, Athletics +22, History +30, Insight +22
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Bluff +17, Diplomacy +17, Dungeoneering +15, Endurance +22, Heal +15, Intimidate +17, Nature +15, Perception +15, Religion +23, Stealth +16, Streetwise +15, Thievery +16
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2:
Eladrin Swordmage Advance
Level 4:
Versatile Expertise
Level 6: Winterkin Heritage
Level 8:
Silvery Glow (retrained to
Lasting Frost at Level 11)
Level 10:
Wintertouched
Level 11:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 12:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 14:
Silvery Glow
Level 16:
Arcane Admixture
Level 18:
Iron Will (retrained to
Superior Will at Level 23)
Level 20:
Winter's Heart (retrained to
Improved Swordmage Warding at Level 22)
Level 21:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 22:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 24:
Strength Through Challenge
Level 26:
Epic Will
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30:
Epic Reflexes
POWERS
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Frigid Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Frost Backlash
Swordmage utility 2: Channeling Shield
Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 5: Deep Freeze
Swordmage utility 6: Dimensional Warding
Swordmage encounter 7: Sleet Strike
Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding
Swordmage encounter 13: Enervating Challenge (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Rubicant's Assault (replaces Frost Backlash)
Swordmage utility 16: Insightful Riposte
Swordmage encounter 17: Ice Cage (replaces Sleet Strike)
Swordmage daily 19: Bane Blade (replaces Forceful Dismissal)
Swordmage utility 22: Eyes of the Mage
Swordmage encounter 23: Freezing Swordburst (replaces Enervating Challenge)
Swordmage daily 25: Icy Shackles (replaces Deep Freeze)
Swordmage encounter 27: Calm the Flames (replaces Ice Cage)
Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Bane Blade)
ITEMS
Longsword, Leather Armor
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Singe, Fire Mage
Singe makes use of the newest Class Acts: Wizards article to pick up a couple of nice wizard feats and a new paragon path: the Master of Flame. As a result, he sets fire to things like no other. Singe uses a Longsword of Summer to give all of his attacks the Fire keyword. The primary combination of this build is the level 16 feature of Master of Flame, Swath of Destruction, and any and all fire-based bursts. Of course, with the appropriate weapon, all bursts are fire-based. At epic tier, Singe gives all enemies he is marking vulnerability to fire against his attacks, which works well in conjunction with Consuming the Weak to make sure that enemies will almost always be taking 5 ongoing fire damage (or up to 18 if he scores a critical hit against them). Should they save against it, they take an additional 15 cold damage from Icy Clutch of Stygia, and the process repeats.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Singe, level 30
Tiefling, Swordmage, Master of Flame, Heir to the Empire
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Fire
Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 24, Dex 12, Int 28, Wis 10, Cha 18.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 12.
AC: 49 Fort: 44 Reflex: 46 Will: 43
HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +29, Insight +22, History +29, Athletics +22
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +21, Diplomacy +21, Dungeoneering +15, Endurance +22, Heal +15, Intimidate +21, Nature +15, Perception +15, Religion +24, Stealth +18, Streetwise +19, Thievery +16
FEATS
Level 1:
Intelligent Blademaster
Level 2:
Versatile Expertise
Level 4:
Hellfire Blood
Level 6: Arcane Initiate
Level 8:
Hellfire Arcanist
Level 10:
Improved Defenses (retrained to
Hellfire of Mephistopheles at Level 11)
Level 11:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 12:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 22)
Level 14:
Icy Clutch of Stygia
Level 16:
Secrets of Belial
Level 18:
Bloodhunter's Dread (retrained to
Hell's Burning Mark at Level 21)
Level 20:
Consuming the Weak
Level 21:
Swordmage Implement Expertise
Level 22:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 24:
Strength Through Challenge
Level 26:
Epic Will
Level 28:
Epic Fortitude
Level 30:
Epic Reflexes
POWERS
Arcane Initiate: Magic Missile
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Greenflame Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone
Swordmage daily 1: Burning Blade
Swordmage utility 2: Mythal Recovery
Swordmage encounter 3: Blades of Fiery Wrath
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step
Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding (retrained to Tears of Fire and Blood at Secrets of Belial)
Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Flame Cyclone)
Swordmage daily 15: Burning Mantle (replaces Burning Blade)
Swordmage utility 16: Borrowed Confidence
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Blades of Fiery Wrath)
Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might
Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Ensnaring Bolts)
Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Burning Mantle)
Swordmage encounter 27: Calm the Flames (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Forceful Dismissal)
ITEMS
Longsword of Summer +6, Leather Armor
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The Sigil Carver
The Sigil Carver paragon path is so good that its main drawback (requiring that allies remain adjacent to you to gain most of its benefits) can be small enough that allies will choose to remain close by, despite the difficulties with flanking and susceptibility to bursts and blasts. Punishing Sigil, already a strong punishment, gets even stronger when it can be used to negate an attack. This build makes use of a Staggering Weapon along with Eldritch Strike to make an opportunity attack against any marked enemy within 5 squares which hits an adjacent ally. If you hit, that attacker gets slid 7 squares - enough to cancel most melee-range attacks. While not required, this build also benefits from magic items which increase teleportation distance, provide benefits for teleporting (such as the bonus from a Cloak of Translocation), or Arcana bonuses to help with Sage of Ages.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Vari, level 30
Half-Elf, Swordmage, Sigil Carver, Sage of Ages
Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Pact Initiate: Pact Initiate (star pact)
Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Constitution
Background: Aerenal (+2 to Arcana)
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 26, Dex 12, Int 24, Wis 10, Cha 16.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 12, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 12.
AC: 47 Fort: 41 Reflex: 46 Will: 46
HP: 215 Surges: 16 Surge Value: 53
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +46, Athletics +22, History +37, Endurance +28, Religion +37
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +16, Bluff +18, Diplomacy +20, Dungeoneering +21, Heal +15, Insight +17, Intimidate +18, Nature +21, Perception +15, Stealth +21, Streetwise +18, Thievery +16
FEATS
Level 1:
Versatile Expertise
Level 2: Intelligent Blademaster (retrained to Versatile Master at Level 11)
Level 4:
Improved Initiative (retrained to
Superior Initiative at Level 22)
Level 6:
Mark of Warding
Level 8: Pact Initiate
Level 10: Acolyte Power
Level 11:
Double Aegis (retrained to
Total Aegis at Level 21)
Level 12:
Greater Swordmage Warding
Level 14:
Greater Aegis of Shielding
Level 16:
Superior Will
Level 18: Arcane Familiar
Level 20:
Superior Reflexes
Level 21:
Rapid Aegis Reaction
Level 22:
Shared Warding
Level 24:
Epic Will
Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana)
Level 28:
Epic Reflexes
Level 30:
Strength Through Challenge
POWERS
Dilettante: Eldritch Strike
Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst
Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade
Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils
Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder
Swordmage utility 2: Mythal Recovery
Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex
Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire
Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step (retrained to Channeling Shield at Level 10)
Swordmage encounter 7: Transposing Lunge
Swordmage daily 9: Troll Rampage
Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding (retrained to Ethereal Sidestep at Acolyte Power)
Swordmage encounter 13: Silverlight Strike (replaces Sword of Sigils)
Swordmage daily 15: Rubicant's Assault (replaces Dimensional Thunder)
Swordmage utility 16: Borrowed Confidence
Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Silverlight Strike)
Swordmage daily 19: Ward of Scales (replaces Troll Rampage)
Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might
Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Transposing Lunge)
Swordmage daily 25: Quicksilver Blade (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)
Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Dimensional Vortex)
Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Rubicant's Assault)
ITEMS
Staggering Longsword +6, Leather Armor
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Multiclassing
Swordmages may only have one multiclass, like all non-bards. Hybrid swordmages will not be covered in this handbook. The ratings given below are made with that in mind. Only classes with a rating of black or higher are listed below. While an individual multiclass feat might be rated black or higher in the Feats section, it doesn't offer capabilities as good as these feats in terms of access to feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies.
Artificer/Cleric/Warlord - Each of these classes gives you access to a daily minor action heal. This is best saved to keep you conscious, or to revive a dying character when other heals are exhausted. Cleric and warlord also give you access to divine and martial feats, respectively, which can be of some use.
Fighter - This is a strong choice for a multiclass. Although the skills are underwhelming, fighter multiclass feats improve your abilities as a defender, and give you access to martial feats and fighter feats. One of these feats (Polearm Momentum) is used as the basis for one of the builds listed above.
Shaman - Unlike the other leader multiclasses, taking the initial multiclass feat for shaman doesn't give you a daily heal. Instead, it gives you a spirit companion and a daily (tiny) skill boost power. The spirit companion is best used to control enemy movement - it uses your defenses and ignores close and area attacks, so most enemies won't waste the action to try to destroy it. The follow-up multiclass feat gives you a encounter heal, making you much more capable as a secondary healer (and giving you more longevity each encounter if no one else needs the healing).
Warden - A warden multiclass improves your defending capabilities as did the fighter, but while the fighter showed the aggressive side of defending, warden improves the defensive side. The first feat improves your multimarking abilities, and the follow-up feat gives you an extra saving throw once per encounter at the start of your turn. This also grants access to primal and warden class feats (the most important of which is Sudden Roots, which dramatically expands your stickiness).
Wizard - Wizard opens up a number of interesting paragon paths, and it allows you to cherry-pick a nice power if you want more control. There are a few good choices at each tier to improve your controlling capabilities, especially with daily attacks.