Philosophy behind Intelligent Blademaster feat

[cmbarona]

I know this has been discussed before, but usually in the context of the Rogue's MBAs. I'm not proposing a feat per se (I've already made up my mind on that topic), but I want to discuss the philosophy behind the Intelligent Blademaster feat for Swordmages. For those of you unfamiliar, it allows Swordmages to use Intelligence instead of Strength for Melee Basic Attacks. I think this is an excellent idea. But I'm curious: what do you think was the philosophy behind this? Might other classes get similar benefits in the future? Which classes might they be? Was it just flavor that I'm unaware of because of my unfamiliarity with the fiction surrounding Swordmages?

As for me, I'm leaning toward explaining it that it's based on who might be around a Warlord when that Warlord grants a Melee Basic Attack. Thus, I have already allowed feats for Rogues weilding light blades to use Dexterity and Paladins to use Charisma. I don't allow Dexterity for Rangers because Dex-based Rangers are expected to keep things at a distance. Granted, this technically puts them only 2 feats away instead of 1, but I'm happy with that. They're usually holding a bow anyway. Likewise, Wisdom-based Clerics are another ranged build, thus they should not receive this benefit.

What do other people think motivated the original controversial feat?

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I think the main reason is that one of the swordmage's marking abilities allows it to make a free basic attack when the foe hits somebody else.

 

[kouk]

Swordmage needs any edge he can get. His mark isn't terribly compelling if he misses frequently.

I don't know why it wasn't just a class feature though, because it is practically a requirement for Swordmages to take it. Though certain builds could get away without it I suppose, with a respectable STR score.

 

[themilkman]

I agree with MatthewJHanson. It prevents the Swordmage from being dependent on too many different ability scores. For Swordmages, powers use Intelligence, Constitution is important to keep defenders alive, and Dexterity is necessary for feats. Trying to pump all these ability scores up while also keeping Strength high enough to hit reliably when making basic attacks is going to be hard. Intelligent Blademaster lets Swordmages treat Strength as a feat-prerequisit score (likely to hit 15 for Heavy Blade Opportunity) rather than an attack score, which is usually maxed.

Also, I'll add that I have heard complaints that Paladins are too MAD and need a class feature like this. I haven't played one, so I don't know, but I see no reason why the Swordmage gets a MAD-reduction feat while other MAD classes don't.

 

[cmbarona]

Out of curiosity, which classes would you say are MAD?

 

[Cadfan]

I'm pretty sure that there WON'T be similar feats for most other classes. If WOTC was going to publish such feats for the martial classes, they'd be in Martial Power already.

I suppose its possible that Paladins will get something like this, because, like Swordmages, they're defenders that don't necessarily use Strength.

 

[nittanytbone]

One advantage that paladin's get is that they really only need BMAs for OAs in order to perform their class function. Heavy Blade Opportunity helps them out a lot with this at level 11. Of course, this requires that (A) paladins start with 14 STR and (B) paladins use DEX & heavy blades, but still, it is workable.

Swordmages need BMA's for more than a OA, to use their defender class feature. So heavy blade opportunity isn't too viable for them.

 

[Stalker0]

One advantage that paladin's get is that they really only need BMAs for OAs in order to perform their class function. Heavy Blade Opportunity helps them out a lot with this at level 11. Of course, this requires that (A) paladins start with 14 STR and (B) paladins use DEX & heavy blades, but still, it is workable.

Swordmages need BMA's for more than a OA, to use their defender class feature. So heavy blade opportunity isn't too viable for them.

Paladins are already hit into the OA department.

If they go big strength, then their mark is even weaker.

Big cha, there OA's are weak.

 

[aurance]

Paladins are already hit into the OA department.

If they go big strength, then their mark is even weaker.

Big cha, there OA's are weak.

Charisma paladin OAs are not all that weak. If you start with 14 Str, with Blade Opportunist, you're hitting as much as an 18 Str guy with OAs. Putting zero points into Str, you can then take HBO at 11, and you're hitting with Cha for OAs anyway.

Swordmages need this feat primarily for the Aegis of Assault deal. But I agree the feat would have been better off as a class feature.

 

[Leatherhead]

Charisma paladin OAs are not all that weak. If you start with 14 Str, with Blade Opportunist, you're hitting as much as an 18 Str guy with OAs.

No, you are hitting significantly less often, if that 18 str paladin also takes the feat.