Swordmages and half-orcs hit the streets!

[Ondo]

What is a "gish" anyway? I thought it was a fighting class that used magic to fight better.

As I understand it, a gish is essentially a combination of Fighter and Wizard; someone who can switch between casting spells and fighting according to the situation. (So roughly someone who does the things that Subedi is complaining the Swordmage doesn't do.)

 

[Destil]

What is a "gish" anyway? I thought it was a fighting class that used magic to fight better.

A Githzeri Fighter/Magic User.

 

[grubba2000]

from monster manual pg 128

Githyanki Gish Level 15 Elite Skirmisher
Githyanki Gish Tactics
A githyanki gish uses ranged attacks ( force bolt and storm of
stars) to soften up foes before engaging in melee combat, using
astral stride to gain a flanking position when possible and
making a double attack at every opportunity

from DMG pg55

Use skirmishers as the mobile strikers in an
encounter, the creatures that move to attack vulnerable
PCs from the sides and rear. They often have
powers that let them dart in, attack, and retreat in
one action.

So the idea of an arcane swordsman playing the defender role? Its not even close to a gish. Also the "free hand" issue?This guy is isvesting in Con and Int both defensive abilities. Im not amazed by the swordmage im actually disapointed.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

So the idea of an arcane swordsman playing the defender role? Its not even close to a gish. Also the "free hand" issue?This guy is isvesting in Con and Int both defensive abilities. Im not amazed by the swordmage im actually disapointed.

Some one earlier posted a link were it was said that this is NOT a gish. but an Arcane Defender...I belive (with no more info then already in this thread) that it is a good start to a gish...a temp stop gap intill we get a striker version of the class (called blade singer in my perfect world).

I belive that a half elf Sword mage with all the multi feats for wizard and dilatant for for eaither eldritch blast or any of the rogue at wills is going to be the default gish build
with Swordmage/any striker being a close runner up

but I have been wrong before

 

[Rechan]

from monster manual pg 128


from DMG pg55
So the idea of an arcane swordsman playing the defender role? Its not even close to a gish. Also the "free hand" issue?This guy is isvesting in Con and Int both defensive abilities. Im not amazed by the swordmage im actually disapointed.

To be fair, I'd say a gish is not what the MM or DMG says it is.

In my experience, a Gish is someone who has attack spells and can still fight. Fireball, and its derivatives, magic missile in a pinch, etc. The duskblade is a good example here.

Someone who uses magic to fight better, I would not call a Gish, just out of personal taste. The magical equivalent of a psychic warrior - casting enlarge on himself, or bull strength, etc.

The Swordmage skirts the difference given that he has various magical-based attacks that effect areas. Like the acid blast ability, etc.

 

[Ander00]

Booming Blade
Swordmage Attack 1
...
Hit: 1d8 + 5 damage, and if the target is adjacent to you at the start
of its turn and moves away, it takes 1d6 + 4 thunder damage.

Hrmm, how does that work? Is the secondary effect keyed off wisdom, half of constitution, or some such?

Am I missing something here? This seems to be the only thing that doesn't add up. I mean, it's still part of a power with the weapon keyword, and not a fixed amount of damage, so wouldn't it get the enhancement and weapon focus bonuses?


cheers

 

[AllisterH]

Hmmm..."Fight" well actually mean.

Since 3.x, a rogue "fights" well as does the barbarian and the ranger. So it is no longer the fighter that alone "fights" well.

So, what does a gish actually represent then?

(p.s., anyone's text NOT showing up when they write a response to a thread? Mine's invisible for s ome reason....)
This iss interesting...What does

 

[DracoSuave]

Hmmm..."Fight" well actually mean.

Since 3.x, a rogue "fights" well as does the barbarian and the ranger. So it is no longer the fighter that alone "fights" well.

So, what does a gish actually represent then?

(p.s., anyone's text NOT showing up when they write a response to a thread? Mine's invisible for s ome reason....)
This iss interesting...What does

Perhaps the key attribute for the attacks is Con. His bonus is +4, +1 for the magic, and his prof. bonus might only be +2, add +2 for level, and you get +9.

The second effect might be keyed off of Int, tho, which would explain why it's only +4 for damage.

That'd explain why Con is primary in the build as well.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I wish I could get my hands on the full sheet...does anyone know if the RPGA will allow that?

 

[Ander00]

Perhaps the key attribute for the attacks is Con. His bonus is +4, +1 for the magic, and his prof. bonus might only be +2, add +2 for level, and you get +9.

Except for the part where he's wielding a +1 longsword.


cheers