The other thing I'm finding with either build is this: use a one-handed sword. The damage dropoff isn't enough to worry about (or feat up a damage die weapon) when you gain that extra +2 to AC. It forces tougher choices on the part of the baddie when trying to decide who to swing at. The difference between the striker and swordmage AC is generally the warding.
Swordmage- Assault or Shielding?
- Thread starter Kinneus
- Start date
Another question pertaining to my Swordmage. According to the Player's Handbook FAQ:
It seems kind of weasely just to eek out another +1 to damage, but it kind of makes sense.
Since it's a free action, couldn't a Swordmage switch to two-handed to attack, then after the attack is resolved, immediately switch back to one-handed to regain the +2 to their Ward?
It seems kind of weasely just to eek out another +1 to damage, but it kind of makes sense.
Ryujin
Legend
I would say that if you want to get the advantage of the extra bonus, then you have to live with the downside. They used to describe combat in D&D as a series of back and forth feints and parries, until someone finally gets his opportunity to slip a real attack in. That has always stuck with me. If you consider that model, then you pretty much will have both hands occupied all of the time, not just when you strike.
Pluses and minuses.
cmbarona
First Post
I think it makes sense to do the Versatile switch-off. The downside really happens if you trigger something by an attack; for example, you attack and that triggers an immediate interrupt. You wouldn't have that extra hand free for the +2 AC. Other than corner cases like that, though, I believe the versatile switch-off technically works by RAW.
It's not drawing a new weapon. It's changing the number of hands you're using with a weapon with the 'Versatile' keyword. 'Versatile' weapons are weapons that are one-handed that you can choose to use two-handed for a +1 to damage. Examples include longswords, flails and battleaxes.
Drawing a weapon is a minor action, but simply gripping a longsword with two hands, or switching to a one-handed grip, is a free action.
Wraith Form
Explorer
This is my experience as well. The enemies tend to stay pretty well focused on me, since I'm usually punishing their butts every attack.
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Ryujin
Legend
And if that is the ruling then it should take one round, maybe two, before an intelligent opponent realizes that it's much easier to hit the Swordmage if he readies an action to attack when he grabs the sword with both hands.
Don Incognito
First Post
Assault Swordmages really don't "take off" until you hit Paragon, where you go either Wandering Swordmage for the added marking range or take Warrior of the Wild and go Horizon Walker, where using an action point to make a move action suddenly becomes tactically viable.
cmbarona
First Post
I won't get a chance to play for a few weeks, but I'm going to try an Assault Swordmage as my next character (Genasi, Firesoul). Unfortuantely, I'm seeing some MAD issues trying to qualify for feats (not for effective powers, though). I decided to get hide armor for now and go longsword for the +3 AC from warding. My 1st-level AC is 20. I might go Fullblade after a while, though. I'm secretly hoping one of my teammates makes a Taclord to take advantage of my strong MBAs. I'm planning on taking the firesoul genasi paragon path, though I obviously won't do that for quite some time (we have rotating DMs, and each DM has their own campaign). I'd love to share my experiences.
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