Swordmages and half-orcs hit the streets!

[Zsig]

I wouldn't jump into conclusions yet as to Constitution being a primary stat for the Swordmage as many people on this thread seems to be implying.

Take a look at the Paladin... no, actually, take a look at the Warlord, Ranger, Cleric, Warlock and the Paladin. They all have at least 2 primary stats that when you select a build makes use of one of them and the other turns out to be rather redundant.

Just because the pre-gen character has 12 in Strength it doesn't mean that Constitution is a primary stat. In fact, Rich Baker said on that WotC thread (Source) that Swordmages likes Str and Int alike.

 

[Knight_Errant]

I wouldn't jump into conclusions yet as to Constitution being a primary stat for the Swordmage as many people on this thread seems to be implying.

Take a look at the Paladin... no, actually, take a look at the Warlord, Ranger, Cleric, Warlock and the Paladin. They all have at least 2 primary stats that when you select a build makes use of one of them and the other turns out to be rather redundant.

Just because the pre-gen character has 12 in Strength it doesn't mean that Constitution is a primary stat. In fact, Rich Baker said on that WotC thread (Source) that Swordmages likes Str and Int alike.

I would argee with your statement. I'm betting that the Swordmage will suffer from MAD much as the Paladin and Warlock can. While many of its powers might use Int vs. defense, I would think that Str will still be important since it is a melee class. And I'm pretty sure that what we're seeing in the Dwarf pregen is one particular build of the class; based primarily on Con as its secondary attribute--I'm sure there will be at least one more build based on another attribute; perhaps Wis? The dwarf seems to have some points there as well.

 

[ZetaStriker]

The Dwarf probably has points in Wis to prevent a 10+half level only Will Defense. I think the class has Str and Int and primaries(picking one or the other is the difference between builds), and Con as the secondary. I get the feeling that Con goes into their Aegis-marking power's damage reduction(5+Con), and probably boosts some powers the way secondary stats do for other classes.

 

[Destil]

I'd really hope the shielding bonus is a +2, and this sordmage took a feat to increase that to +3 as well as get something else small and cool...

And here's hoping for Con and Int, with some kicker effects from Cha and a definite use for Str (actually, just being in melee you always want either Str or the ability to use another score on a basic attack for opportunity attacks).

I'd disagree that the damage negation is overpowered, though. The fighter can stop an opponent from even getting to the squishy, and paladins can heal the damage dealt in a pinch. This amount of negation looks fine to me at a glance. It most likely dosn't increase much, +3 at Paragon, +3 at epic + stat buffs.

 

[Ondo]

People play Gish

"Swordmages aren't 'gishes'" (source). This was one of the first things the designers ever said about the class.

 

[Byronic]

"Swordmages aren't 'gishes'" (source). This was one of the first things the designers ever said about the class.

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

 

[FungiMuncher]

Hey! I can't comment on the mechanics, but I played the dwarft swordmage at Origins. It was a heck of a lot of fun. While he didn't lay the smack down as well as the others, he had an awesome AC and HP. Was able to get up in the monster's faces. The shielding was nice, but didn't feel overpowered.

 

[Old Gumphrey]

You can't set a puppy down and tell me it's a kitty. The swordmage is a gish.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

I went to Origins yesterday and took part in the RPGA's 45 minute dungeon delve for 4E, which basically is just three combat encounters used to teach people the game.

One of the choices we had was the Swordmage (level 1). Unfortunately, I did not get to play the Swordmage, but I did play the fighter in the party. We had 5 characters (out of 6): Human Great Sword Fighter, Dwarven Swordmage, Halfing Fey Warlock, Something Staff Wizard (either Human or Half-Elf, I'm not sure which), and Dwarven Cleric (sixth choice was a Elf Brutal Rogue).


Anyways, the two defenders absolutely rock together. We worked out marks, with the Swordmage taking the heavy hitters, while I marked everything else.

We only got through the easy encounter and had downed about half of the medium encounter, but I'd welcome the Swordmage at my table. They were fantastic defenders. Their daily power is sick.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I went to Origins yesterday and took part in the RPGA's 45 minute dungeon delve for 4E, which basically is just three combat encounters used to teach people the game.
...
We only got through the easy encounter and had downed about half of the medium encounter, but I'd welcome the Swordmage at my table. They were fantastic defenders. Their daily power is sick.

Ok, so did anyone from Origins feel, or hear anyone else feel otherwise? Broken on paper and broken in play are two diffrent things. Monk in 3e looked horrorable broken on paper... in play not so much. So lets hear dome more from players about how they went before jumping on the Broken powercreep band wagon...