[Unapproachable East] The Raumathari Battlemage

[Ashrem Bayle]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030413c

Discuss...

Personally, I like it. Makes for a good "Battle Mage" concept and is, pretty much, what the Cormyrian Battle Mage from Magic of Faerun should have been.

Basicly, you loose 3 spellcasting levels for a better BAB, and few few pretty slick abilities that are powerful, but not game breaking.

It's low hit points will keep it off the fronts lines for any more than just a few rounds. You'll need a high Con (and Str would be nice) to make this class work. Those are points that will detract from your Intelligence (or Charisma) for your spellcasting.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

You really only give up two levels -- one for a fighter (or similar) level to get martial weapon proficiency, and one spellcasting level in the prestige class itself.

It's OK, I guess -- I think I'd rather it give up another spellcasting level (for a total of 3) for a larger HD. The increased BAB doesn't do you much good if you've got a d4 HD -- you shouldn't get into melee with that few hit points.

A fighter-sorcerer could rock with this class -- given e few more HP.

 

[drnuncheon]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20030413c
Personally, I like it. Makes for a good "Battle Mage" concept and is, pretty much, what the Cormyrian Battle Mage from Magic of Faerun should have been.

Basicly, you loose 3 spellcasting levels for a better BAB, and few few pretty slick abilities that are powerful, but not game breaking.

3?

I count one level of fighter (to get the martial weapon proficiency and EWP) and one level lost to the class.

It is very reminiscent of the Spellsword, except a lot worse at melee combat (due to the low hp) and a lot better at magic.

I'm curious why you thought the War Wizard should have been like this, though - it seems to me that the WW was just fine for what it was: a walking artillery piece.

J

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Oops. Yea 2. i was looking through some other classes and I was thinking this guy lost 2 in it's class. Oh well. No biggie. I agree, another spell level lost in exchange for some better hit points would have been nice.

I'm curious why you thought the War Wizard should have been like this, though - it seems to me that the WW was just fine for what it was: a walking artillery piece.

Well. Aside form the Enhanced Spell Area, there is nothing that this class does that could not be done with preexisting feats. It just seems a bit bland. Some ability to better cast in armor would have been nice.

But yea, Enhanced Spell Area makes for some serious artilllary, especially with a spell like Fire Brand.

 

[Simulacrum]

Oops. Yea 2. i was looking through some other classes and I was thinking this guy lost 2 in it's class. Oh well. No biggie. I agree, another spell level lost in exchange for some better hit points would have been nice.



Well. Aside form the Enhanced Spell Area, there is nothing that this class does that could not be done with preexisting feats. It just seems a bit bland. Some ability to better cast in armor would have been nice.

But yea, Enhanced Spell Area makes for some serious artilllary, especially with a spell like Fire Brand.

Umm, Still Spell anyone? (yes the whole lot)
I love the PrC, anther perfect example of what beauty and flavor that can come from the FR setting!
I dig it, and I'd play one...cant wait for the book!!
WOHOOOOOOOOO!
I was dreaming of an unaproachable east FR book since FR 3e came out! LUV IT!

 

[Technik4]

The d4 hurts, but then again this character isnt a tank (hes a support fighter, like a rogue or monk). I think one with a nice throwing returning bastard sword would be fun.

If you take your first level in barbarian! you fulfill the requirements almost automatically and have 12 extra hp (plus rage). With a decent con, at high levels, and a good endurance cast, you can definitely wade into battle for a few rounds.

Just dont leave home without shield, displacement, mirror image, improved invisibility, etc

Technik

 

[MasterLich]

It seems pretty kewl to me. And like Technik4 said it would be a devistating support fighter. He could do alot of damage, ala lightning bolt/fireball, right away.

I wonder if the arcane failure still applies in this case? When he is casting through his sword, how does the failure happen. He is just focusing on the sword and to me doesn't require hand gestures/verbal component for the spells. yes i know the limitation of 50gp but will that stop him from casting in a Chain Shirt? He can then focus on 3 abilities instead of 4. str/(int/wis/cha)/con instead of str/dex/(int/wis/cha)/con does this make any sense to anyone?

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

I wonder if the arcane failure still applies in this case? When he is casting through his sword, how does the failure happen. He is just focusing on the sword and to me doesn't require hand gestures/verbal component for the spells. yes i know the limitation of 50gp but will that stop him from casting in a Chain Shirt?

You only need one hand free for spells with somatic components, thus a battlemage who has EWP with bastard sword has no reason not to have his off-hand free. Any armor you wear will still affect you with Spell Failure if you're casting a spell with a somatic component, unless you couple it with the still spell feat (thus negating that somatic component).

Which brings me to a thought: an epic-level Battlemage with Automatic Still Spell would be god-awful.