Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
D&D Older Editions
Masters of Blade Magic: A Swordmage Handbook (By Herid_Fel)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Veep" data-source="post: 6707974" data-attributes="member: 6793297"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong><u>Builds</u></strong></span></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p> 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.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Eternal</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Deadhead, level 30</p><p>Revenant, Swordmage, Coronal Guard, Planeshaper</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p>Choose your Race in Life: Githzerai</p><p>Background: Cursed (+2 to Intimidate)</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)</p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 24, Dex 14, Int 26, Wis 10, Cha 16.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 12, Con 14, Dex 10, Int 17, Wis 8, Cha 13.</p><p></p><p>AC: 50 Fort: 44 Reflex: 45 Will: 42</p><p>HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Arcana +28, Intimidate +27, Endurance +29, Athletics +22</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>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</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #ff0000">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p>Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">Githzerai Blade Master</span></p><p>Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 6: <span style="color: #0000ff">Death's Quickening</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Ghostly Vitality</span> at Level 22)</p><p>Level 8: Death's Blessing</p><p>Level 10: <span style="color: #0000ff">Aegis Vitality</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span> at Level 11)</p><p>Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 12: <span style="color: #0000ff">Fierce Vitality</span></p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Death Scorned</span></p><p>Level 16: Shared Danger Sense</p><p>Level 18: <span style="color: #0000ff">Improved Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Aegis of Shielding</span></p><p>Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 22: Swordmage Implement Expertise</p><p>Level 24: Vistani Heritage</p><p>Level 26: Vistani Foresight </p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Dimensional Warp</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Troll Rampage</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Binding Light (replaces Sword of Sigils)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Dimensional Thunder)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Necromantic Disruption (replaces Transposing Lunge)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Ghost Walk</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Dimensional Vortex)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Quicksilver Blade (replaces Troll Rampage)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Binding Light)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p>Bastard sword, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p><strong>The Slow-Miser</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Ember, level 30</p><p>Genasi, Swordmage, Scion of Absence, Demigod</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Ensnarement</p><p>Divine Spark: Divine Spark Constitution</p><p>Divine Spark: Divine Spark Intelligence</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade) </p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)</p><p>Elemental Manifestation: Cindersoul</p><p>Extra Manifestation: Voidsoul </p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 17, Con 24, Dex 16, Int 28, Wis 10, Cha 12.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 13, Con 14, Dex 14, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 10.</p><p></p><p>AC: 50 Fort: 40 Reflex: 46 Will: 40</p><p>HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +29, Athletics +23, Nature +22</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +18, Bluff +16, Diplomacy +16, Dungeoneering +15, Heal +15, Insight +15, Intimidate +16, Perception +15, Religion +24, Stealth +18, Streetwise +16, Thievery +18</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #0000ff">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p>Level 2: Defender of the Wild</p><p>Level 4: <span style="color: #0000ff">Sudden Roots</span></p><p>Level 6: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 8: Extra Manifestation</p><p>Level 10: <span style="color: #0000ff">Grasping Ensnarement</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #ff0000">Heavy Blade Opportunity</span> at Level 11)</p><p>Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 12: <span style="color: #ff0000">Deadly Immobilization</span></p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 16: <span style="color: #0000ff">Manifest Healing</span></p><p>Level 18: <span style="color: #ff0000">Vicious Advantage</span></p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Improved Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 21: Double Manifestation</p><p>Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 24: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p>Level 26: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Reflexes</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Frostwind Blade</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Arcane Mutterings</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Theft of Alacrity</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Isolating Slam</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Blade Bolt</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Sword of Sigils)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Eldritch Chains (replaces Dimensional Thunder)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Unerring Parry</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Spidersilk Slash (replaces Dimensional Vortex)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Ward of Scales (replaces Theft of Alacrity)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Eyes of the Mage</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Aegis Bolt (replaces Isolating Slam)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Blade Bolt)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Wrath of the Arctic Wind (replaces Spidersilk Slash)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Constrictor's Strike (replaces Ward of Scales)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p>Longsword, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p><strong>The Thunderball</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Mad Max, level 30</p><p>Deva, Swordmage, Wandering Swordmage, Chosen</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p>Divine Spark: Divine Spark Intelligence</p><p>Divine Spark: Divine Spark Wisdom</p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade) </p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade) </p><p>Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder</p><p>Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst</p><p>Quickened Spellcasting: Sword Burst</p><p>Background: Thay (Thay Benefit)</p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 14, Dex 12, Int 30, Wis 24, Cha 10.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 12, Con 12, Dex 10, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 8.</p><p></p><p>AC: 50 Fort: 39 Reflex: 43 Will: 42</p><p>HP: 219 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 54</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Arcana +30, History +39, Endurance +22, Athletics +22, Religion +32</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +16, Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +22, Heal +22, Insight +22, Intimidate +15, Nature +22, Perception +22, Stealth +16, Streetwise +15, Thievery +16</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #0000ff">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p>Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">White Lotus Riposte</span></p><p>Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 6: <span style="color: #ff0000">Coordinated Explosion</span></p><p>Level 8: <span style="color: #ff0000">Implement Focus (Heavy Blade)</span></p><p>Level 10: <span style="color: #0000ff">Toughness</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span> at Level 11)</p><p>Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 12: Arcane Admixture </p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #ff0000">Resounding Thunder</span></p><p></p><p>Level 16: Mark of Storm</p><p>Level 18: <span style="color: #ff0000">Echoes of Thunder</span></p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Solid Sound</span></p><p>Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Aegis of Shielding</span></p><p>Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p>Level 26: <span style="color: #ff0000">Quickened Spellcasting</span></p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #ff0000">Epic Resurgence</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Frost Backlash</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Echoes of Sword Magic</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Sword of Sigils)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Frost Backlash)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Echoes of Sword Magic)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Thunder Riposte (replaces Ensnaring Bolts)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Forceful Dismissal)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Transposing Lunge)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p> Longsword, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p><strong>The Polearm Moment</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Shadow, Shadar-Kai Swordmage</strong></p><p> </p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Shadow, level 30</p><p>Shadar-kai, Swordmage, Sword of Assault, Archlich</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Assault</p><p>Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)</p><p>Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst</p><p>Quickened Spellcasting: Sword Burst</p><p>Background: Auspicious Birth (Auspicious Birth Benefit)</p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 22, Con 13, Dex 16, Int 28, Wis 16, Cha 10.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 11, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8.</p><p></p><p>AC: 48 Fort: 44 Reflex: 43 Will: 42</p><p>HP: 217 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 54</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +21, Athletics +26, Religion +29, Intimidate +20</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +20, Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +18, Heal +18, Insight +18, Nature +18, Perception +18, Stealth +20, Streetwise +15, Thievery +18</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">Intelligent Blademaster</span> (retrained to Polearm Momentum at Level 11)</p><p>Level 4: Battle Awareness</p><p>Level 6: <span style="color: #ff0000">White Lotus Riposte</span></p><p>Level 8: Devious Jaunt</p><p>Level 10: Mark of Storm</p><p>Level 11: Arcane Admixture</p><p>Level 12: <span style="color: #ff0000">Resounding Thunder</span></p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Shadowed Aegis</span></p><p>Level 16: <span style="color: #ff0000">Echoes of Thunder</span></p><p>Level 18: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Hafted Defense</span></p><p>Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 22: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p>Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 26: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #ff0000">Quickened Spellcasting</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Burning Blade</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Dimensional Warp</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Elemental Foible</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Swordmage's Decree</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Watchful Strike</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Like a Feather</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Acid Burst Blade (replaces Sword of Sigils)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Burning Mantle (replaces Elemental Foible)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Watchful Strike)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Burning Blade)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Acid Burst Blade)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Invincible Rampage (replaces Forceful Dismissal)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Maelstrom Blade (replaces Dimensional Vortex)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Burning Mantle)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p>Rushing Cleats (heroic tier), Glaive, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Mellored, Eladrin Swordmage</strong></p><p> </p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Mellored, level 30</p><p>Eladrin, Swordmage, Academy Master, Sage of Ages</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p>Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Thunder</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)</p><p>Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst</p><p>Background: Birth - On Another Plane (+2 to Arcana)</p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 15, Con 21, Dex 16, Int 26, Wis 16, Cha 10.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 13, Con 13, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8.</p><p></p><p>AC: 48 Fort: 42 Reflex: 42 Will: 43</p><p>HP: 210 Surges: 13 Surge Value: 52</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +23, Arcana +45, History +36, Endurance +25, Athletics +22, Nature +29, Heal +23</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Bluff +15, Diplomacy +15, Dungeoneering +24, Insight +18, Intimidate +15, Perception +18, Religion +29, Stealth +18, Streetwise +15, Thievery +18</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #0000ff">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p>Level 2: Battle Awareness</p><p>Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 6: <span style="color: #0000ff">Improved Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 8: Mark of Storm</p><p>Level 10: Arcane Familiar</p><p>Level 11: Polearm Momentum</p><p>Level 12: Arcane Admixture</p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 16: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 18: Resounding Thunder</p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Hafted Defense</span></p><p>Level 21: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p>Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p>Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana)</p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Alert Familiar</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Luring Strike</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields (retrained to Arcane Insight at Acolyte Power)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Be Gone</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Fist of Force (replaces Flame Cyclone)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Reaper's Challenge (replaces Be Gone)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Bolstering Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Transposing Lunge)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Planar Shock (replaces Dimensional Thunder)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Thunder Riposte (replaces Fist of Force)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Dimensional Vortex)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Reaper's Challenge)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p>Leather Armor, Glaive, Rushing Cleats (heroic tier)</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Thunder and Mind</strong></p><p> </p><p>The essence of this build is courtesy of Corwynn, while the particular build comes from me. The explanation of the theme is below: </p><p></p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p> Corwynn, level 30</p><p>Human, Swordmage, Malec-Keth Janissary, Ceaseless Guardian</p><p> Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p> Devshirme Training: Gain Training in a skill</p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade) </p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade) </p><p>Guardian Mindfulness: Guardian Mindfulness Intelligence</p><p>Background: Gray Vale (Gray Vale Benefit) </p><p></p><p> FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 24, Dex 10, Int 28, Wis 14, Cha 12</p><p></p><p> STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p> Str 12, Con 16, Dex 8, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10. </p><p></p><p>AC: 49 Fort: 45 Reflex: 43 Will: 42</p><p>HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p> TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Insight +22, Arcana +29, History +29, Endurance +28, Athletics +22, Nature +24</p><p></p><p> UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +15, Bluff +16, Diplomacy +16, Dungeoneering +17, Heal +17, Intimidate +16, Perception +17, Religion +24, Stealth +15, Streetwise +16, Thievery +15</p><p></p><p> FEATS</p><p> Human: Intelligent Blademaster</p><p> Level 1: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p> Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">White Lotus Riposte</span></p><p> Level 4: Mark of Storm</p><p> Level 6: <span style="color: #0000ff">Arcane Familiar</span></p><p> Level 8: Skill Power</p><p> Level 10: <span style="color: #0000ff">Toughness</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span> at Level 11) </p><p> Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21) </p><p> Level 12: <span style="color: #0000ff">Psychic Lock</span></p><p> Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Aegis of Shielding</span></p><p> Level 16: Resounding Thunder</p><p> Level 18: <span style="color: #0000ff">Alert Familiar</span></p><p> Level 20: Sight of the Familiar</p><p> Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p> Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff"> Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p> Level 24: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p> Level 26: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p> Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p>Level 30: Superior Initiative</p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p> Bonus At-Will Power: Booming Blade</p><p> Skill Power: Insightful Riposte</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Lightning Lure</p><p> Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone</p><p> Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder</p><p> Swordmage utility 2: Host of Shields</p><p> Swordmage encounter 3: Transposing Lunge</p><p> Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p> Swordmage utility 6: Swordmage's Decree</p><p> Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex</p><p> Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal</p><p> Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Silverlight Strike (replaces Flame Cyclone)</p><p> Swordmage daily 15: Eldritch Chains (replaces Dimensional Thunder) </p><p> Swordmage utility 16: Aegis of Lost Souls</p><p> Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Transposing Lunge) </p><p> Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire) </p><p> Swordmage utility 22: Oni's Gift</p><p> Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Silverlight Strike) </p><p> Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Forceful Dismissal) </p><p> Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Radiant Shield) </p><p> Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Eldritch Chains) </p><p></p><p> ITEMS</p><p> Githyanki Silver Longsword +6, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== </p><p> </p><p><strong>Elemental Warriors</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Chill, Coldmage</strong></p><p> </p><p>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).</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p> Chill, level 30</p><p> Eladrin, Swordmage, Bralani Wintersoul, Radiant One</p><p> Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Assault</p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade) </p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade) </p><p> Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Cold</p><p> Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst</p><p></p><p> FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 24, Dex 13, Int 26, Wis 10, Cha 15. </p><p></p><p> STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 12, Con 16, Dex 11, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 13. </p><p></p><p>AC: 49 Fort: 44 Reflex: 45 Will: 44</p><p> HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p> TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Acrobatics +21, Arcana +30, Athletics +22, History +30, Insight +22</p><p></p><p> UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Bluff +17, Diplomacy +17, Dungeoneering +15, Endurance +22, Heal +15, Intimidate +17, Nature +15, Perception +15, Religion +23, Stealth +16, Streetwise +15, Thievery +16</p><p></p><p> FEATS</p><p> Level 1: <span style="color: #ff0000">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p> Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">Eladrin Swordmage Advance</span></p><p> Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p> Level 6: Winterkin Heritage</p><p> Level 8: <span style="color: #ff0000">Silvery Glow</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #ff0000">Lasting Frost</span> at Level 11) </p><p> Level 10: <span style="color: #ff0000">Wintertouched</span></p><p> Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p> Level 12: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis </span>at Level 21) </p><p> Level 14: <span style="color: #ff0000">Silvery Glow</span></p><p>Level 16: <span style="color: #ff0000">Arcane Admixture</span></p><p> Level 18: <span style="color: #0000ff">Iron Will</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Superior Will </span>at Level 23)</p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Winter's Heart</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Improved Swordmage Warding</span> at Level 22)</p><p> Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p> Level 22: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p> Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p> Level 26: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p> Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p> Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Reflexes</span></p><p></p><p> POWERS</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Frigid Blade</p><p> Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p> Swordmage daily 1: Frost Backlash</p><p> Swordmage utility 2: Channeling Shield</p><p> Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex</p><p> Swordmage daily 5: Deep Freeze</p><p> Swordmage utility 6: Dimensional Warding</p><p> Swordmage encounter 7: Sleet Strike</p><p> Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal</p><p> Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding</p><p> Swordmage encounter 13: Enervating Challenge (replaces Sword of Sigils) </p><p> Swordmage daily 15: Rubicant's Assault (replaces Frost Backlash) </p><p> Swordmage utility 16: Insightful Riposte</p><p> Swordmage encounter 17: Ice Cage (replaces Sleet Strike) </p><p> Swordmage daily 19: Bane Blade (replaces Forceful Dismissal) </p><p> Swordmage utility 22: Eyes of the Mage</p><p> Swordmage encounter 23: Freezing Swordburst (replaces Enervating Challenge) </p><p> Swordmage daily 25: Icy Shackles (replaces Deep Freeze) </p><p> Swordmage encounter 27: Calm the Flames (replaces Ice Cage) </p><p> Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Bane Blade) </p><p></p><p> ITEMS</p><p> Longsword, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======</p><p> </p><p><strong>Singe, Fire Mage</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p>Singe, level 30</p><p>Tiefling, Swordmage, Master of Flame, Heir to the Empire</p><p>Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade)</p><p>Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)</p><p>Arcane Admixture Damage Type: Arcane Admixture Fire</p><p>Arcane Admixture Power: Sword Burst</p><p></p><p>FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 14, Con 24, Dex 12, Int 28, Wis 10, Cha 18.</p><p></p><p>STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p>Str 12, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 12.</p><p></p><p>AC: 49 Fort: 44 Reflex: 46 Will: 43</p><p>HP: 213 Surges: 15 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p>TRAINED SKILLS</p><p>Arcana +29, Insight +22, History +29, Athletics +22</p><p></p><p>UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p>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</p><p></p><p>FEATS</p><p>Level 1: <span style="color: #0000ff">Intelligent Blademaster</span></p><p>Level 2: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p>Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Hellfire Blood</span></p><p>Level 6: Arcane Initiate</p><p>Level 8: <span style="color: #ff0000">Hellfire Arcanist</span></p><p>Level 10: <span style="color: #0000ff">Improved Defenses</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #ff0000">Hellfire of Mephistopheles</span> at Level 11)</p><p>Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p>Level 12: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 22)</p><p>Level 14: <span style="color: #ff0000">Icy Clutch of Stygia</span></p><p>Level 16: <span style="color: #ff0000">Secrets of Belial</span></p><p>Level 18: <span style="color: #0000ff">Bloodhunter's Dread</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #ff0000">Hell's Burning Mark</span> at Level 21)</p><p>Level 20: <span style="color: #ff0000">Consuming the Weak</span></p><p>Level 21: <span style="color: #ff0000">Swordmage Implement Expertise</span></p><p>Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p>Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p>Level 26: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p>Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Fortitude</span></p><p>Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Reflexes</span></p><p></p><p>POWERS</p><p>Arcane Initiate: Magic Missile</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p>Swordmage at-will 1: Greenflame Blade</p><p>Swordmage encounter 1: Flame Cyclone</p><p>Swordmage daily 1: Burning Blade</p><p>Swordmage utility 2: Mythal Recovery</p><p>Swordmage encounter 3: Blades of Fiery Wrath</p><p>Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p>Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step</p><p>Swordmage encounter 7: Dimensional Vortex</p><p>Swordmage daily 9: Forceful Dismissal</p><p>Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding (retrained to Tears of Fire and Blood at Secrets of Belial)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 13: Ensnaring Bolts (replaces Flame Cyclone)</p><p>Swordmage daily 15: Burning Mantle (replaces Burning Blade)</p><p>Swordmage utility 16: Borrowed Confidence</p><p>Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Blades of Fiery Wrath)</p><p>Swordmage daily 19: Death's Resurgence (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire)</p><p>Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might</p><p>Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Ensnaring Bolts)</p><p>Swordmage daily 25: Waves of Languor (replaces Burning Mantle)</p><p>Swordmage encounter 27: Calm the Flames (replaces Dimensional Vortex)</p><p>Swordmage daily 29: Transdimensional Invasion (replaces Forceful Dismissal)</p><p></p><p>ITEMS</p><p> Longsword of Summer +6, Leather Armor</p><p>====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p><strong>The Sigil Carver</strong></p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======</p><p> Vari, level 30</p><p> Half-Elf, Swordmage, Sigil Carver, Sage of Ages</p><p> Swordmage Aegis: Aegis of Shielding</p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Heavy Blade) </p><p> Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade) </p><p> Pact Initiate: Pact Initiate (star pact) </p><p> Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Constitution</p><p> Background: Aerenal (+2 to Arcana) </p><p></p><p> FINAL ABILITY SCORES</p><p> Str 14, Con 26, Dex 12, Int 24, Wis 10, Cha 16. </p><p></p><p> STARTING ABILITY SCORES</p><p> Str 12, Con 16, Dex 10, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 12. </p><p></p><p> AC: 47 Fort: 41 Reflex: 46 Will: 46</p><p> HP: 215 Surges: 16 Surge Value: 53</p><p></p><p> TRAINED SKILLS</p><p> Arcana +46, Athletics +22, History +37, Endurance +28, Religion +37</p><p></p><p> UNTRAINED SKILLS</p><p> Acrobatics +16, Bluff +18, Diplomacy +20, Dungeoneering +21, Heal +15, Insight +17, Intimidate +18, Nature +21, Perception +15, Stealth +21, Streetwise +18, Thievery +16</p><p></p><p> FEATS</p><p> Level 1: <span style="color: #ff0000">Versatile Expertise</span></p><p> Level 2: Intelligent Blademaster (retrained to Versatile Master at Level 11) </p><p> Level 4: <span style="color: #ff0000">Improved Initiative</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #ff0000">Superior Initiative</span> at Level 22) </p><p> Level 6: <span style="color: #0000ff">Mark of Warding</span></p><p> Level 8: Pact Initiate</p><p> Level 10: Acolyte Power</p><p> Level 11: <span style="color: #0000ff">Double Aegis</span> (retrained to <span style="color: #0000ff">Total Aegis</span> at Level 21) </p><p> Level 12: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Swordmage Warding</span></p><p> Level 14: <span style="color: #0000ff">Greater Aegis of Shielding</span></p><p> Level 16: <span style="color: #0000ff">Superior Will</span></p><p> Level 18: Arcane Familiar</p><p> Level 20: <span style="color: #0000ff">Superior Reflexes</span></p><p> Level 21: <span style="color: #0000ff">Rapid Aegis Reaction</span></p><p> Level 22: <span style="color: #0000ff">Shared Warding</span></p><p> Level 24: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Will</span></p><p> Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana) </p><p> Level 28: <span style="color: #0000ff">Epic Reflexes</span></p><p> Level 30: <span style="color: #0000ff">Strength Through Challenge</span></p><p></p><p> POWERS</p><p> Dilettante: Eldritch Strike</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Sword Burst</p><p> Swordmage at-will 1: Booming Blade</p><p> Swordmage encounter 1: Sword of Sigils</p><p> Swordmage daily 1: Dimensional Thunder</p><p> Swordmage utility 2: Mythal Recovery</p><p> Swordmage encounter 3: Dimensional Vortex</p><p> Swordmage daily 5: Swordmage Shielding Fire</p><p> Swordmage utility 6: Armathor's Step (retrained to Channeling Shield at Level 10) </p><p> Swordmage encounter 7: Transposing Lunge</p><p> Swordmage daily 9: Troll Rampage</p><p> Swordmage utility 10: Impenetrable Warding (retrained to Ethereal Sidestep at Acolyte Power) </p><p> Swordmage encounter 13: Silverlight Strike (replaces Sword of Sigils) </p><p> Swordmage daily 15: Rubicant's Assault (replaces Dimensional Thunder) </p><p> Swordmage utility 16: Borrowed Confidence</p><p> Swordmage encounter 17: Thundering Vortex (replaces Silverlight Strike) </p><p> Swordmage daily 19: Ward of Scales (replaces Troll Rampage) </p><p> Swordmage utility 22: Giant's Might</p><p> Swordmage encounter 23: Radiant Shield (replaces Transposing Lunge) </p><p> Swordmage daily 25: Quicksilver Blade (replaces Swordmage Shielding Fire) </p><p> Swordmage encounter 27: Circle of Devastation (replaces Dimensional Vortex) </p><p> Swordmage daily 29: Astral Thunder Blade (replaces Rubicant's Assault) </p><p></p><p> ITEMS</p><p> Staggering Longsword +6, Leather Armor</p><p> ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong><u>Multiclassing</u></strong></span></p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Artificer/Cleric/Warlord</strong> - 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.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Fighter</span></strong> - 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.</p><p></p><p><strong>Shaman</strong> - 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).</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Warden</span></strong> - 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).</p><p></p><p><strong>Wizard</strong> - 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.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Veep, post: 6707974, member: 6793297"] [CENTER][Size=5][b][u]Builds[/u][/b][/size][/CENTER] 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. [b]The Eternal[/b] 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: [COLOR=#ff0000]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]Githzerai Blade Master[/COLOR] Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 6: [COLOR=#0000ff]Death's Quickening[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Ghostly Vitality[/COLOR] at Level 22) Level 8: Death's Blessing Level 10: [COLOR=#0000ff]Aegis Vitality[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 12: [COLOR=#0000ff]Fierce Vitality[/COLOR] Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Death Scorned[/COLOR] Level 16: Shared Danger Sense Level 18: [COLOR=#0000ff]Improved Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Aegis of Shielding[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 22: Swordmage Implement Expertise Level 24: Vistani Heritage Level 26: Vistani Foresight Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]The Slow-Miser[/b] 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: [COLOR=#0000ff]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: Defender of the Wild Level 4: [COLOR=#0000ff]Sudden Roots[/COLOR] Level 6: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 8: Extra Manifestation Level 10: [COLOR=#0000ff]Grasping Ensnarement[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#ff0000]Heavy Blade Opportunity[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 12: [COLOR=#ff0000]Deadly Immobilization[/COLOR] Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 16: [COLOR=#0000ff]Manifest Healing[/COLOR] Level 18: [COLOR=#ff0000]Vicious Advantage[/COLOR] Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Improved Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 21: Double Manifestation Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Reflexes[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]The Thunderball[/b] 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: [COLOR=#0000ff]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]White Lotus Riposte[/COLOR] Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 6: [COLOR=#ff0000]Coordinated Explosion[/COLOR] Level 8: [COLOR=#ff0000]Implement Focus (Heavy Blade)[/COLOR] Level 10: [COLOR=#0000ff]Toughness[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 12: Arcane Admixture Level 14: [COLOR=#ff0000]Resounding Thunder[/COLOR] Level 16: Mark of Storm Level 18: [COLOR=#ff0000]Echoes of Thunder[/COLOR] Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Solid Sound[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Aegis of Shielding[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#ff0000]Quickened Spellcasting[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#ff0000]Epic Resurgence[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]The Polearm Moment[/b] 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. [b]Shadow, Shadar-Kai Swordmage[/b] ====== 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: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] (retrained to Polearm Momentum at Level 11) Level 4: Battle Awareness Level 6: [COLOR=#ff0000]White Lotus Riposte[/COLOR] Level 8: Devious Jaunt Level 10: Mark of Storm Level 11: Arcane Admixture Level 12: [COLOR=#ff0000]Resounding Thunder[/COLOR] Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Shadowed Aegis[/COLOR] Level 16: [COLOR=#ff0000]Echoes of Thunder[/COLOR] Level 18: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Hafted Defense[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#ff0000]Quickened Spellcasting[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== 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. [b]Mellored, Eladrin Swordmage[/b] ====== 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: [COLOR=#0000ff]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: Battle Awareness Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 6: [COLOR=#0000ff]Improved Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 8: Mark of Storm Level 10: Arcane Familiar Level 11: Polearm Momentum Level 12: Arcane Admixture Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 16: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 18: Resounding Thunder Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Hafted Defense[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana) Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Alert Familiar[/COLOR] 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) ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]Thunder and Mind[/b] The essence of this build is courtesy of Corwynn, while the particular build comes from me. The explanation of the theme is below: ====== 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: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]White Lotus Riposte[/COLOR] Level 4: Mark of Storm Level 6: [COLOR=#0000ff]Arcane Familiar[/COLOR] Level 8: Skill Power Level 10: [COLOR=#0000ff]Toughness[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 12: [COLOR=#0000ff]Psychic Lock[/COLOR] Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Aegis of Shielding[/COLOR] Level 16: Resounding Thunder Level 18: [COLOR=#0000ff]Alert Familiar[/COLOR] Level 20: Sight of the Familiar Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff] Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]Elemental Warriors[/b] 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. [b]Chill, Coldmage[/b] 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: [COLOR=#ff0000]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]Eladrin Swordmage Advance[/COLOR] Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 6: Winterkin Heritage Level 8: [COLOR=#ff0000]Silvery Glow[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#ff0000]Lasting Frost[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 10: [COLOR=#ff0000]Wintertouched[/COLOR] Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 12: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis [/COLOR]at Level 21) Level 14: [COLOR=#ff0000]Silvery Glow[/COLOR] Level 16: [COLOR=#ff0000]Arcane Admixture[/COLOR] Level 18: [COLOR=#0000ff]Iron Will[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Superior Will [/COLOR]at Level 23) Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Winter's Heart[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Improved Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] at Level 22) Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Reflexes[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]Singe, Fire Mage[/b] 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: [COLOR=#0000ff]Intelligent Blademaster[/COLOR] Level 2: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Hellfire Blood[/COLOR] Level 6: Arcane Initiate Level 8: [COLOR=#ff0000]Hellfire Arcanist[/COLOR] Level 10: [COLOR=#0000ff]Improved Defenses[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#ff0000]Hellfire of Mephistopheles[/COLOR] at Level 11) Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 12: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 22) Level 14: [COLOR=#ff0000]Icy Clutch of Stygia[/COLOR] Level 16: [COLOR=#ff0000]Secrets of Belial[/COLOR] Level 18: [COLOR=#0000ff]Bloodhunter's Dread[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#ff0000]Hell's Burning Mark[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 20: [COLOR=#ff0000]Consuming the Weak[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#ff0000]Swordmage Implement Expertise[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] Level 26: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Fortitude[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Reflexes[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [b]The Sigil Carver[/b] 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: [COLOR=#ff0000]Versatile Expertise[/COLOR] Level 2: Intelligent Blademaster (retrained to Versatile Master at Level 11) Level 4: [COLOR=#ff0000]Improved Initiative[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#ff0000]Superior Initiative[/COLOR] at Level 22) Level 6: [COLOR=#0000ff]Mark of Warding[/COLOR] Level 8: Pact Initiate Level 10: Acolyte Power Level 11: [COLOR=#0000ff]Double Aegis[/COLOR] (retrained to [COLOR=#0000ff]Total Aegis[/COLOR] at Level 21) Level 12: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Swordmage Warding[/COLOR] Level 14: [COLOR=#0000ff]Greater Aegis of Shielding[/COLOR] Level 16: [COLOR=#0000ff]Superior Will[/COLOR] Level 18: Arcane Familiar Level 20: [COLOR=#0000ff]Superior Reflexes[/COLOR] Level 21: [COLOR=#0000ff]Rapid Aegis Reaction[/COLOR] Level 22: [COLOR=#0000ff]Shared Warding[/COLOR] Level 24: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Will[/COLOR] Level 26: Skill Focus (Arcana) Level 28: [COLOR=#0000ff]Epic Reflexes[/COLOR] Level 30: [COLOR=#0000ff]Strength Through Challenge[/COLOR] 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 ====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ====== [CENTER][Size=5][b][u]Multiclassing[/u][/b][/size][/CENTER] 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. [b]Artificer/Cleric/Warlord[/b] - 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. [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Fighter[/COLOR][/b] - 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. [b]Shaman[/b] - 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). [b][COLOR=#0000ff]Warden[/COLOR][/b] - 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). [b]Wizard[/b] - 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. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
D&D Older Editions
Masters of Blade Magic: A Swordmage Handbook (By Herid_Fel)
Top