Swordmage: Class creep too fast?

[WhatGravitas]

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.

True. The paladin is a better comparison for the Swordmage - also a supernaturally empowered defender. Compared to the Paladin, the Swordmage (from what we know now) stacks up nicely, perhaps a bit better, simply because of the interesting at-wills the Swordmage has.

But we need more information to compare them.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Unless the new FR has been released and I've completely missed it, aren't we still waiting for full info on what the swordmage can do? All we've seen so far is a few paragon powers and roughly half of the level 1-3 stuff.

I'd say there should be a sixth option on the poll: Not enough info to accurately compare it to the other classes.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, you could always smack yourself... .

I don't think you count as your own enemy.
(unless it only says "creature", in which case you might attack yourself or your allies, too. )

 

[Xris Robin]

I don't think you count as your own enemy.
(unless it only says "creature", in which case you might attack yourself or your allies, too. )

In point of fact, all the At-Wills except for Sword Burst say Target: One Creature.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Yeah, with less than 10% of the swordmage public knowledge, I can't see how anyone could make an informed decision here.

Agreed.

History has shown that power creep is inevitable once the core is released from UA in 1st Ed on up to 3.5. It might not be the swordmage or any particular class but it will happen because material will be released faster than playtesting can keep up with. Supplemental material enters the market and any balance the core had goes right out the window.

The funny thing is- thats what people want and thats why it sells. D&D players love new rules to use and discuss (and even argue) with other players. If that were not the case then 3.5 and 4E wouldn't have been successful. When enough balance breaking material hits the market there is a desire for a major reworking or new edition and the cycle starts again.

This business model is much like the One Ring and we as gamers are Gollum. We both love and hate it.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

The sword mages at will powers seem better to me than either the fighters or the paladins.

His mark seems comparable in power. And the encounter and daily powers seem on the same level as those of the fighter or paladin.

 

[Reaper Steve]

One thing that reigns in the swordmage powers is that many of them (don't have the doc handy for reference) do set damage (like 1d6 + INT) instead of some multiple of [W].

His powers may be flashy, but they don't deal as much damage. So much for that two-hander now...

 

[Xris Robin]

The set damage ones are Implement instead of Weapon. Swordmage moves seem to be evenly divided between them.

Take the At-Wills, which the Swordmage has 4 of. The first two Weapon and use 1[W] + INT modifier damage. Also, both add extra damage based off either STR or CON (For Assault and Shielding Swordmages).

The other 2 At-Wills are both Implement, and do 1d6 + INT modifier damage.

 

[Dausuul]

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.

I agree. Never underestimate the value of the fighter's ability to punish opponents for moving so much as an inch. For most enemies, once you get next to the fighter, you ain't moving - the tactical value of a shift is seldom worth risking an OA from the fighter, and if you try to make a normal move, the fighter not only whacks you but shuts down your movement into the bargain.

 

[keterys]

Yeah, I really like the fighter best for actual defending honestly - especially when you factor in shield push. Paladins and swordmages have some great other options though