Who mugged the Sword Sage?

[Rechan]

I doubt the Swordmage will be shooting 40ft cones of fire through his sword.

Unless he picks up some controllerish powers.

 

[BASHMAN]

I never liked Kensai.

This is difficult...

Sword Saint? [the literal translation of Kensai I believe]

 

[Geoff Watson]

Everyone.

They all took different bits, but the Swordsage has enough options for everyone. That's where most of the 'per encounter' stuff came from.

Geoff.

 

[Baby Samurai]

The name "monk" in an Asian/Oriental context makes perfect sense for the class.

Too many of us Western dogs think of Friar Tuck…

 

[Klaus]

Indeed. It would be like having two classes named "warlord" and "warlock".

Aw, maaaaan!

I was gonna suggest the swordsage becoming the warsage...

 

[Green Knight]

've always hated fighter/mage hybrids, because magic has so few synergies with combat. Yes, you can stand still and cast a spell that helps you fight in combat next round. But if you want to integrate magic and combat into one thing, D&D is typically pretty weak on those grounds.

You can easily integrate it by allowing them to case their spells as a Swift Action. They use a Swift Action to buff themselves with a spell like Bull's Strength, they use a Move Action to get next to an enemy, and then a Standard Action to attack. Works just fine. Check out what Rich Baker had to say about the Swordmage. I'm really looking forward to seeing that class in action. Damn shame it likely won't be in the first PHB, though.

 

[Darkwolf71]

Sword Saint? [the literal translation of Kensai I believe]

Winner!

Sword Saint is an awesome sounding name.

 

[Meowzebub]

I doubt the Swordmage will be shooting 40ft cones of fire through his sword.

Unless he picks up some controllerish powers.

Why not? The swordsage has only a few ranged maneuvers and they all have limited range, not really treading on a blaster's toes. The short range ensures you are dealing with foes directly in your vicinity. The swordsage mixes up mystical abilities while fighting with BAB and hit points between a fighter and wizard while wearing light armor. What more could a swordmage really be? As a defender, perhaps better AC? but the Swordsage gets a wisdom bonus and many counter maneuvers that help avoid AOOs and misdirect attacks.

Considering the swordmage is already fleshed out enough to base a novel on, there are likely not too many new concepts to develop for this class. I would guess a change in skills, Use Magic Items, and fleshed out list of maneuvers similar to Desert Wind would make a swordmage a gish class I would be very happy with.

 

[Gloombunny]

The name "monk" in an Asian/Oriental context makes perfect sense for the class.

It really, really doesn't. I can only assume you don't know much about Asian religions.

Too many of us Western dogs think of Friar Tuck…

Yeah, gods forbid we think about a monk when we hear the word "monk".

 

[Baby Samurai]

1.) It really, really doesn't. I can only assume you don't know much about Asian religions.


2.) Yeah, gods forbid we think about a monk when we hear the word "monk".

1.) It really, really does, I can only assume you’re trying to be an ass…


2.) God forbid you should handle yourself with a bit of decorum instead of embarrassing yourself.