Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords: Proto-Review

[JoeGKushner]

Hmmn, that sounds kind of silly, and will likely lead to Dude! Let me hit you with my battle axe, It'll heal me 100HP!

This book sounds interesting nonetheless.

--Steve

But it would go a long way in explaining how these warriors are getting their second winds when they look like they're just about down and out eh?

 

[R_kajdi]

Double Post.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Voc,

Why did you bother with Swashbuckler? I mean honestly either duelist (the pr-class) or Unfettered is way better in my book.

Duelist is a PrC, I'm third level. Unfettered is Elsewhere.

Swashbuckler gave me good skills (decent base + good intel) and Elven Courtblade is fun.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Can you explain why? I tend to agree with you that the average warblade won't deal as much damage as the average barbarian purely because they need to spread their ability scores around more, but the only advantage I can see that the barbarian has in raw damage output is his raging: +4 str which equates to +2 damage when raging. By 6th level a warblade will have weapon specialisation and will be doing that +2 on all attacks (not just when raging), plus he'll have more feats than the barbarian and access to maneuvers which I'm sure will pump up his damage potential. In fact, by mid-level, if someone really wanted to make a brute, raw damage-dealing warblade, I'd be very surprised if it didn't deal more damage than an equivalent level barbarian in a round.

I'm sure a person could maximise the Warblade and excede my damage, just like someone could maximise the barbarian better if they spent the time (I spent a lot of money on an intelligent hammer to speak for him). Granted with an intel of 6, the Warblade wouldn't see all his advantages. As for feats, I had the important one, Power Attack, that's enough.

It was just a comment that damage isn't confined to new books, rather than a challenge to build the best.

 

[Vocenoctum]

A quick question: a lot of these abilities (especially the ones that heal) would seem to be extremely useful outside of combat. Is there any mention of how that would work?

--Steve

I guess it comes down to what you consider an "encounter", but I'd limit it to during Initiative. If the players abuse it, then don't allow the class.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Duelist is a PrC, I'm third level. Unfettered is Elsewhere.

Swashbuckler gave me good skills (decent base + good intel) and Elven Courtblade is fun.

And now you have the entire useful bit of Swashbuckler, so you can find another class.

Brad

 

[Cadfan]

Unless he wants, and I'm just throwing this out there kind of as a lark because I never see anyone care about it, to have all the skills necessary to be the party face.

Its why I like the swashbuckler, at least.

 

[Vocenoctum]

Unless he wants, and I'm just throwing this out there kind of as a lark because I never see anyone care about it, to have all the skills necessary to be the party face.

Its why I like the swashbuckler, at least.

I've got diplomacy, intimidate and most of the social suite, but no real charisma because of the char-gen method. White Raven seems a good complement for it.
Also, I've got that human feat that lets you get any skill for 1 skill point, though crossclass is still half max. I've been gathering Knowledge skills (2 ranks at least) and with the intel it's decent.

For combat, the COurtblade lets me get Str X1.5, + intel (now) and power attack doubled, so I hold my own.

 

[Banshee16]

I've got diplomacy, intimidate and most of the social suite, but no real charisma because of the char-gen method. White Raven seems a good complement for it.
Also, I've got that human feat that lets you get any skill for 1 skill point, though crossclass is still half max. I've been gathering Knowledge skills (2 ranks at least) and with the intel it's decent.

For combat, the COurtblade lets me get Str X1.5, + intel (now) and power attack doubled, so I hold my own.

Where is that feat for humans, and the courtblade detailed?

Banshee

 

[Vocenoctum]

Where is that feat for humans, and the courtblade detailed?

Banshee

The skill feat is from Races of Destiny, Able Learner.

Elven Courtblade is an exotic weapon, greatsword that can be finessed, does 1d10, 18-20X2, it's from Races of the Wild.