Swordmage Class

[Agamon]

Why all the hatin' on the githyanki?

Sorry, I just have no idea why people hate the term so much. Maybe it has been over-used in applying it to more than just the githyanki, but the filters let it through, so I guess it can't be *that* taboo.

gish, gish, gishy gishgish gish

Agh! Noo! Nooooo! Please, don't! I'll bring a shrubbery!

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Honestly I'd prefer fewer classes (3-4) and just using multiclassing and different talent/feat selections to represent different archtypes.

But since thats not going to happen I'm sure we'll see some sorta spellsword class at some point, but I doubt it'll be in the core book.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

What kinda surprised me in 3E, and some of my players, is that they created so many "warrior-mage" prestige or alternate base classes, and nearly all get their own spell progression and spell list. Instead of simply going ahead and give them a level of "arcane caster of choice" every other level or so, making it easier to be compatible with later added levels of the same caster class. Like taking a fighter, D8 instead of D10, medium BAB, adding a level of wizard every few levels (only the spell casting, though) and the ability to ignore armor spell failure chances every few levels, and you're done. Maybe add bonus feats that can be either fighter or metamagic feats. If a character with that class wants to take more wizard levels later, they can stack with the already existing caster levels, since those are wizard levels. So taking one level of wizard while already having 6 wizard caster levels lets the character cast like a 7th level wizard.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Whats so hard about trying combinations of classes, feats and various abilities. Must we really just take all the class fiddling out of the game.

 

[Driddle]

Are you trying to suggest that Wizards isn't doing BLAH BLAH BLAH?

BLAH BLAH BLAH was the 3rd edition. Then they produced BLAH BLAH BLAH BL for v3.5.
This is going to be BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. Totally new blah concept.

 

[Klaus]

What kinda surprised me in 3E, and some of my players, is that they created so many "warrior-mage" prestige or alternate base classes, and nearly all get their own spell progression and spell list. Instead of simply going ahead and give them a level of "arcane caster of choice" every other level or so, making it easier to be compatible with later added levels of the same caster class. Like taking a fighter, D8 instead of D10, medium BAB, adding a level of wizard every few levels (only the spell casting, though) and the ability to ignore armor spell failure chances every few levels, and you're done. Maybe add bonus feats that can be either fighter or metamagic feats. If a character with that class wants to take more wizard levels later, they can stack with the already existing caster levels, since those are wizard levels. So taking one level of wizard while already having 6 wizard caster levels lets the character cast like a 7th level wizard.

Which is what WotC did with the Battle Sorcerer. Medium BAB, HD d8, light armor (no ASF), Simple + One Martial Weapon, cast spells as a Sorcerer (1 less spell known per level, 1 less spell per day per level).

Best arcane/warrior combo I've see for 3.5. Very customisable and without any mandatory style of play (unlike the Hexblade, Duskblade, etc).

 

[Geron Raveneye]

Which is what WotC did with the Battle Sorcerer. Medium BAB, HD d8, light armor (no ASF), Simple + One Martial Weapon, cast spells as a Sorcerer (1 less spell known per level, 1 less spell per day per level).

Best arcane/warrior combo I've see for 3.5. Very customisable and without any mandatory style of play (unlike the Hexblade, Duskblade, etc).

Right...Unearthed Arcana, correct?

Hmhmm, I see...best attempt indeed. Now if they hadn't screwed with the "Spells/Day" and Spells Known" lists and instead gave him 2 sorcerer caster levels every 3 class levels or so, effectively making him a 15th level sorcerer when reaching level 20, or starting with "apprentice level" casting on 1st and going up 2/3 from there...it would have been what I imagine.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Now if they hadn't screwed with the "Spells/Day" and Spells Known" lists and instead gave him 2 sorcerer caster levels every 3 class levels or so, effectively making him a 15th level sorcerer when reaching level 20, or starting with "apprentice level" casting on 1st and going up 2/3 from there...it would have been what I imagine.

I think you want 3/4 rather than 2/3; 2/3 would give you lCL 13 at 20.

I'd much prefer that approach to the Battle Sorcerer -- the current design doesn't leave enough spellcasting options. I'd actually prefer the Battle Sorcerer as a Battle Wizard: Int-based, spellbook-based, but 3/4 of the spellcasting progression of a wizard with the resulting flexibility and more rapid access to spells with fewer spells per day.

Duskblade is a nice attempt at the flavor, but the limited spell list defines his schtick. What if you want a ranged weapon warrior-mage, instead of a melee one? Or one who mostly uses utlity & buff spells instead of attack spells? Yeah, there's bard, but ...

 

[Geron Raveneye]

I think you want 3/4 rather than 2/3; 2/3 would give you lCL 13 at 20.

I'd much prefer that approach to the Battle Sorcerer -- the current design doesn't leave enough spellcasting options. I'd actually prefer the Battle Sorcerer as a Battle Wizard: Int-based, spellbook-based, but 3/4 of the spellcasting progression of a wizard with the resulting flexibility and more rapid access to spells with fewer spells per day.

Duskblade is a nice attempt at the flavor, but the limited spell list defines his schtick. What if you want a ranged weapon warrior-mage, instead of a melee one? Or one who mostly uses utlity & buff spells instead of attack spells? Yeah, there's bard, but ...

Gah, yeah. 3/4 would end you at 15 of course. Silly me.

But that's the nice part about D&D. Modify and enjoy. Always has been, always will be, no matter what number in front of the E.

 

[Gloombunny]

What I really like about duskblade is that it's designed to be a warrior who uses magic as part of his combat technique, not just a second-rate warrior who can cast some second-rate spells when he's not fighting. The magic and fighting skill are actually integrated. The best you can do with most warrior/mage combinations is to cast some buffs on yourself before wading in, or maybe set your sword aside for a turn to cast a spell.