D&D 4E The True Swordmage

[Garthanos]

Also, you need to get a few levels in several different classes to get access to all of those (since they're spread across several spell lists), so you can't really play a character who plays 'like a swordmage' until late-game.

Bet its also a serious nerfing

 

[Campbell]

Honestly a single class draconic or shadow sorcerer using Shadowblade + SCAG cantrips with either Twin Spell or Quicken is probably too good in melee. They are much more of a mobile striker than a defender. Battle smith artificers can be solid tanks.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Bet its also a serious nerfing

Well, looking at @NotAYakk 's spell list, you'd need to be a paladin 13 /warlock 9 / sorcerer 7 to get all of those - but you'd be pretty badass at that point.

 

[Garthanos]

Well, looking at @NotAYakk 's spell list, you'd need to be a paladin 13 /warlock 9 / sorcerer 7 to get all of those - but you'd be pretty badass at that point.

heheh yeh level 29 .. and still 2 huge spells with teleporting ... awesome NOT

 

[NotAYakk]

How do we turn it from a "you are use a sword and magic" into a story?

Wizard story: "you collect and find magic and study it".
Rogue story is subclass based.
Paladin has a story.
Barbarian has a (default) story.
Ranger, Druid, Cleric all have stories.
Monk, Warlock, Sorcerer all have stories.
Bard, Artificer has a story.
Fighter is a big light on story (even with subclasses). "You know how to fight" and "here is how you fight".

Do we go Rogue, and attach the story to subclasses? Make the base class something like "Spellguard" -- you use magic with weapons.

Spellguard -- Exemplar (1/3 paladin, you are specialist trained by an order to execute their will.)
Spellguard -- Bodyguard (1/3 fighter, you where trained in arcane magic to protect someone.)
Spellguard -- Bounty Hunter (1/3 ranger, you are an expert at tracking down and capturing people.)
Spellguard -- Cursed (1/3 warlock, your magic comes from your cursed blade.)
Spellguard -- Dancer (1/3 bard, you are a trained entertainer with magic.)

that is a possible framework.

Make it a 1/2 caster, and fill the subclass with appropriate utility spells.

For a unique mechanic, allow it to learn a limited list of concentration spells to imbue its weapon with. Also, make a melee attack as part the action to cast a spell (including a cantrip); sort of like EK on steroids that way (but doesn't get the rest of the fighter chassis, like extra attacks at 11 and 20).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Booming/Greenflame.
Blade Ward.
Shadow Blade.
Misty Step.
Shield.
Smites.
Thorn Whip.
Lightning Lure
Sword Burst
Absorb Elements
Arcane Weapon
True Strike
Armor of Agys
Compelled Duel
Ensaring Strike
Mage Armor
Zephyr Strike
Blur
Enlarge/Reduce
Flame Blade
Magic Weapon
Mirror Image
Warding Bond
Elemental Weapon
Enemies Abound
Haste
Spirit Guardians
Death Ward
Confusion
Dimension Door
Fire Shield
Freedom of Movement
etc

Problem is, this sword mage falls into "class as a conbat style" problem. It needs a better story hanging off it.

Not really. Several people have expanded on the story of the class.

 

[NotAYakk]

Feature thoughts:

Possible defensive features:

• 10+int+dex AC (like monk) (Swordmage Warding)
• Ability to cast Blade Ward as a bonus action, or make an attack when casting Blade Ward
• Some kind of active parry
• A defensive boost when one hand is not using a weapon (Swordmage Warding)

Possible protective features:

• Reduce damage to an ally (Aegis of Shielding)
• Trap enemies who attack allies (Aegis of Ensnarement)
• Push/pull magic to defend allies
• Point-blank AOEs that are ally-friendly and create enemy-hostile "zones", making enemies want to disengage.

Possible offensive features:

• Ability to make a melee attack when casting a spell (Leveled? Cantrip? Both?)
• Ability to cast spells through melee attacks
• Ability to "bond" your weapon with what is normally a concentration buff
• Teleport-and-strike (Aegis of Assault/Eladrin Swordmage Advance)
• Snare (Aegis of Ensnarement) or movement restriction
• Preventing enemy teleports (feyslaughter)

Ribbons:

• Sword bond
• Spellbook
• Rituals
• Light/no armor with good AC

Steal from 4e Optimized builds:

• White Lotus stuff is really fun with a swordmage, especially white lotus (master) riposte
• Eldrich Strike, where you slide enemies you hit, is also fun

Mechanical thoughts:

• Have more on the sword than just sword bond. Concentration idea above.
• Steal from Avenger -- their Oath mechanic is fun, and might be appropriate for an offensive one
• Steal from EK, but not too much. Maybe make the EK be a 1/3 this class.
• A rhythm mechanic, where you do a setup on round 1, and execute on round 2 while doing a setup for round 3 at the same time.
• Int-based. I don't know if we want to permit Int to attack and damage (like 4e); maybe just Int to attack but not damage? That keeps str or dex important. We want both Str and Dex swordmages; Dex will have hand-free and higher AC, Str swordmages need something.
• Story-based subclass means it should definitely be a level 1 choice
• We don't have to duplicate the mark mechanic. An Aegis (shield) ability will do even without it.

 

[Garthanos]

Mechanical thoughts:

• A rhythm mechanic, where you do a setup on round 1, and execute on round 2 while doing a setup for round 3 at the same time.

One of my favorite ideas to enable ... multi-setups is to also allow an aftermath the bumped effect of a 3 round is in the middle. The aftermath of a damaging magic might be taking some of the hit yourself.

 

[Garthanos]

• White Lotus stuff is really fun with a swordmage, especially white lotus (master) riposte

Also just plain fun to visualize... after your lightning attack extra energy crackles in your aura and runs back up their weapons when they attack you.

 

[Garthanos]

Spellguard -- Bounty Hunter (1/3 ranger, you are an expert at tracking down and capturing people.)

That one might actually be a flavor of Witchhunter