Arkhandus
First Post
Odd, out-of-the-blue, 2-year-old-thread necromancy, cablop.......
In any case, as I hadn't commented before on the Arcane Knight two years ago..... I figure it's just a bit overpowered, probably. Perhaps make them choose 5 banned schools, instead of 3? That way they'd have a slightly more limited spell list than a Bard's, but still good variety in what schools to choose. I'd also remove their saving throw bonus against their specialized school, and make them count as a Wizard of half their Arcane Knight level for purposes of familiar benefits (once they actually gain a familiar). However, I'd also be inclined to give them a bonus feat at 1st-level, since they seem to be lacking at that level (giving up 2 HP, a feat, and shield proficiencies at that level compared to a Fighter, in exchange for some cantrips, one Spell Focus feat, and potentially one 1st-level spell if their Intelligence is good).
Dunno though. They suffer much from Multiple Ability Dependency; Str to be effective combatants, Dex to maintain decent AC while in light armor (so as not to suffer arcane spell failure), Con to bolster their mediocre hit points (though less important than the 1st two abilities), Int to receive spells (though it can afford start off at 12 or so and be pumped up every 4 levels), Wis to avoid having sucky Will saves, and Cha to avoid having sucky DCs for the saving throws of their spells. Strength and Dexterity are key, with Intelligence and Charisma being secondary, but they definitely can't afford to let any of those lag too much.....
So, maybe the familiar benefits and number of banned schools could be left alone. Dunno. I have my own warrior-mage classes and prestige classes anyway, and like Monte Cook's Mage Blade well enough (though it has its drawbacks balance-wise, I still like it).
In any case, as I hadn't commented before on the Arcane Knight two years ago..... I figure it's just a bit overpowered, probably. Perhaps make them choose 5 banned schools, instead of 3? That way they'd have a slightly more limited spell list than a Bard's, but still good variety in what schools to choose. I'd also remove their saving throw bonus against their specialized school, and make them count as a Wizard of half their Arcane Knight level for purposes of familiar benefits (once they actually gain a familiar). However, I'd also be inclined to give them a bonus feat at 1st-level, since they seem to be lacking at that level (giving up 2 HP, a feat, and shield proficiencies at that level compared to a Fighter, in exchange for some cantrips, one Spell Focus feat, and potentially one 1st-level spell if their Intelligence is good).
Dunno though. They suffer much from Multiple Ability Dependency; Str to be effective combatants, Dex to maintain decent AC while in light armor (so as not to suffer arcane spell failure), Con to bolster their mediocre hit points (though less important than the 1st two abilities), Int to receive spells (though it can afford start off at 12 or so and be pumped up every 4 levels), Wis to avoid having sucky Will saves, and Cha to avoid having sucky DCs for the saving throws of their spells. Strength and Dexterity are key, with Intelligence and Charisma being secondary, but they definitely can't afford to let any of those lag too much.....
So, maybe the familiar benefits and number of banned schools could be left alone. Dunno. I have my own warrior-mage classes and prestige classes anyway, and like Monte Cook's Mage Blade well enough (though it has its drawbacks balance-wise, I still like it).
