Why would a fighter-mage not choose the Spellsword?

[shilsen]

I was looking at Complete Warrior and the Spellsword PrC, and noticed that there doesn't seem to be any real reason why a fighter-mage would not take it. The prerequisites are such as any fighter-mage would have, and the benefits far outweigh what is given up. In contrast, the other ftr/wiz PrC in the book (Bladesinger, which I think is a nicely designed one) has a whole slew of prerequisites which are not so commonly taken.

A Ftr3/Wiz3 (the fastest one can pick it up, except for a Ftr1/Brd4) over the next 10 levels of Spellsword gets better saves, hit points, and BAB than if one split the levels between fighter and wizard. What is given up is 2-3 fighter bonus feats, 1 wizard bonus feat, the familiar progression and access to feats which require a certain number of fighter levels. In addition, one gets a bonus feat, the ability to lower spell failure chance by 30%, and the ability to channel a spell through one's weapon 5 times per day.

Is there any reason other than roleplaying why a fighter-mage would not take the Spellsword?

 

[mikebr99]

The Spellsword only gets 5 casting levels...


Mike

 

[Setanta]

Originally posted by shilsen
Is there any reason other than roleplaying why a fighter-mage would not take the Spellsword?

Other than the feats you mentioned, no, unless it's to take another PrC like Eldritch Knight. I like both of those PrC's, as they make a fighter/mage a more viable character concept. I've always felt that multiclassing spellusers generally makes a weak character, so it's nice to have PrC's that help out with that. Mystic Theurge fills the same role for me.

 

[James McMurray]

I would probably go Ftr 1 / Wiz 5 / Eldritch Knight 10 / Spellsword 1 / something x in order to maximize as much as possible my caster level. Having access to 9th level spells is more important to me than a few points of BAB.

 

[Nightfall]

Sure if he wants to go Blackguard instead or perhaps Templar?

 

[shilsen]

Sure if he wants to go Blackguard instead or perhaps Templar?

Now that's just wrong

Thanks for the comments.

 

[pawsplay]

The prerequisites are such as any fighter-mage would have, and the benefits far outweigh what is given up.

Maybe, maybe not. If you started off as Wizard 4, and then decided to go fighter-mage, you might have trouble with that defeating a foe through force of arms alone thing.

Reasons not to go in, assuming you qualify:

- You want to be an Eldritch Knight and get nearly full spell progression
- You're elvish and would rather be a Bladesigner
- You have and use a familiar, and would rather stick with Wizard.
- Havoc Mage is more your style
- You are a Hexblade
- You are a powerful race with a high LA, and already have plenty of hit points, but need caster levels.

Reasons to delay entry:
- A favorite spell is 4th level or higher
- You don't like the Saving Throw breakpoints at the earliest point of entry.
- Fighter or Wizard Feats you want.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Maybe, maybe not. If you started off as Wizard 4, and then decided to go fighter-mage, you might have trouble with that defeating a foe through force of arms alone thing.

You're kidding, right? All it takes is a lucky crossbow bolt through a goblin...

Reasons not to go in, assuming you qualify:

- You want to be an Eldritch Knight and get nearly full spell progression
- You're elvish and would rather be a Bladesigner
- You have and use a familiar, and would rather stick with Wizard.
- Havoc Mage is more your style
- You are a Hexblade
- You are a powerful race with a high LA, and already have plenty of hit points, but need caster levels.

None of which are really reasons not to take at least the first level of the class.

 

[pawsplay]

None of which are really reasons not to take at least the first level of the class.

- An Eldritch Knight is usually fine taking one level. Then again, they may really want that bonus Fighter Feat. But I'll give you that one.
- A Bladesinger would get delayed all Bladesinger abilities by one level. If their Int bonus is +4 or more, the first level of Bladesigner is better for AC than anything they can get for -10% ASF.
- Taking one level delays familiar abilities by one level.
- Taking one level delays Havoc Mage battlecast abilities by one level
- A Hexblade who takes exactly one level to improve his caster level at the expense of his curse, familiar, and hit points gets what he deserves. It's also worth noting that -10% ASF won't help him wear anything he can't wear already, excepting shields, which he doesn't have a free hand for.
- A high LA race may as well go ahead and take one level of Spellsword.

You're kidding, right? All it takes is a lucky crossbow bolt through a goblin...

All it takes the goblin is a lucky stab...

 

[Nightfall]

Now that's just wrong

Thanks for the comments.

Just saying man. Fighter/Sorcerer would be a more than decent Blackguard.