People really have to start realizing that flavour has nothing to do with class balance whatsoever, especially when we are dissecting and comparing them based solely on stats and mechanics.
Swordmage: Class creep too fast?
- Thread starter Kitirat
- Start date
People really have to start realizing that flavour has nothing to do with class balance whatsoever, especially when we are dissecting and comparing them based solely on stats and mechanics.
Vael
Legend
The Swordmage doesn't have the movement denial abilities of the Fighter. I'm DMing a fighter, and he is so bloody effective at denying movement. Goblins don't use their slippery ability, since he's already marked them. I'm impressed by the retribution a Swordmage can dish out ... and when my NPC swordmage engages the party, I'll tell you what happens. But currently, doesn't look unbalanced to me.
Otterscrubber
First Post
Burst 1 at-will that only effects enemies? If that is the case then they are already outshining other classes. I don't think that the fact some mobs are resistant to fire makes up for this at all. That is just a lot of extra damage when fighting more than one opponent. That is an encounter power for a ranger.
True though, the class is not totally revealed so have to wait on final judgement, but it's not looking good so far in my opinion.
True though, the class is not totally revealed so have to wait on final judgement, but it's not looking good so far in my opinion.
If it were Burst 1, it would be overpowered. It is not. It allows you to damage any enemies adjacent to the enemy you attack, which is wonderful if enemies march around in columns and lines. In practice it is not as useful as it sounds.
If you are being flanked by two enemies, Greenflame blade does nothing at all. If you are being flanked by 4 enemies and none of them are standing next to each other, the power does nothing. If you have two enemies in front of you, one space apart from each other, it does nothing. Cleave works in all of these situations, and several others. Basically, Greenflame Blade is less frequently useful than Cleave in exchange for being really awesome if your enemies are packed together.
Well, you could always smack yourself... 
The swordmage doesn't feel as sticky as the fighter. They either don't have a great AoO attack bonus if they're Int+Con, or their marking ability doesn't help them hold the line if they're Int+Str. Obviously, the swordmage doesn't fit the paladin's role either.
I'm just worried about their AC potential. With high Int, the force shield, and feats for Hide armor, they should be able to hit 50 AC easily.
The swordmage doesn't feel as sticky as the fighter. They either don't have a great AoO attack bonus if they're Int+Con, or their marking ability doesn't help them hold the line if they're Int+Str. Obviously, the swordmage doesn't fit the paladin's role either.
I'm just worried about their AC potential. With high Int, the force shield, and feats for Hide armor, they should be able to hit 50 AC easily.
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Sword Burst, another at-will they have is a burst 1 that only effects enemies. It is force damage, does 1d6+int, but is implement, not weapon, so you loose out +2-3 on the attack. Still a great at-will for sure.
I have that and Booming Blade for my swordmage.
Tellerve
At the moment I can't imagine a flanking situation with 4 enemies where GFB wouldn't hit at least 2 of them
However you are allowed to attack Ref instead of AC
Hellzon
First Post
firesnakearies
Explorer
The class looks fun, and cool, but not especially overpowered thus far. I don't foresee a massive rise in Fighter unemployment figures any time soon.
