Ranger, Paladin, Hexblade ... Define your *own* spellcasting fighter concept

[Driddle]

So ya take the basic Fighter class, leave the BAB the same, maybe tweak the saves/hitpoints a teensy bit, and then redefine the feat progression so that they're still useful at each level but conceptually limited -- i.e. you don't get the wide-open range of choices like a fighter; the feats are more narrowly defined.

Then you add a smattering of spells, up to fourth level.

Viola! You gots your paladin, ranger, hexblade. Still frontline combatants (thanks to the top-of-the-line BAB progression), but with the added bonus of magic. The only real drawback is that your character concept has already been picked for you -- the ranger, for example, mixes his feats and spell selection for a more woodsy feel. Lawful healer paladin, quirky curse hexblade guy.

Can you come up with another martial spellcaster concept that would fit this core character class format? What would his special niche be?

 

[Klaus]

My notion of an Arcane Warrior = Psychic Warrior - psionic powers + spells.

Or maybe just take the PsyWar and change the fluff...

 

[Romnipotent]

I have created it from afresh! BARD!
Ok, now before we hate on the hopeless WOTC Bard, remember this is my Bard... and Im a madman....

WHAT?

Spells, as is. Bardic abilties, as is.... and then full BAB... Illusions, Buffs, and Bardness.... "Then why would you choose a paladin or fighter or X if you could be THAT Bard?" I hear the sane ones ask, and I say "Because your character concept is of a Paladin fighitng for Pelors infinite wisdom"
Right now, I'd rather play the Bard than the Adept NPC. Normally I would rather be an Adept than a Bard.

Full BAB bards, they're whats for dinner

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

Arcana Evolved mage blade: except no substitutes.

 

[Gez]

I don't except any substitute for the mage blade, I welcome them all!

(Semantic nick pick time, to except means making an exception of something, i.e., acknowledging it breaks the rule, putting it aside, etc.; to accept means acknowledging/agreeing with something. Except no substitute thus mean "do not put aside any one"...)

 

[Andor]

I made a fighter/spell caster hybrid who was a dedicated arial combatant. A griffon mounted cavalry sort of guy. Handle animal, and ride of course. Spell list was mostly mount buffs, feather fall / flight, and evocation. Picture a formation of Knights on griffons swooping by and dropping patterned spreads of fireballs from wands. Of course, they spent most of their time fighting the horrors that emerged from a crack in the world on the borders of their kingdom, so they needed that kind of power.

I seem to recall I posted it here, but that was years ago.

 

[shilsen]

(Semantic nick pick time...

Nitpick time, not nick pick

 

[the Jester]

Nitpick time, not nick pick

You forgot a period.

 

[Driddle]

speaking of MC's Arcana Unearthed... I never quite understood why the standard D&D mage concept -- especially with the v3.5 opportunities and extensive supplemental materials -- didn't embrace the staff element more. Sure, Arc.Un. stepped up with the magister class, but you'd think a WotC product would have done so by now.

With that in mind and to address my own question, I'd propose a variant wiz who studies quarterstaff combat as much, if not more than, his spellcasting abilities. Same spell progression as the ranger (but with different spell picks, natch); staff instead of bows; and various supplemental abilities along the way.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I like all of the fighter/caster types, though Psychic Warrior is a personal favourite of mine.