A Thinky Warblade? [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Thinky Warblade? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Majick
08-30-07, 12:38 AM I realise full well that Warblades are designed to have more or less a devastating effect on the battle-field and are damage dealers, pure and simple, but has anyone ever actually used the Diamond Mind abilities for a Warblade character? Seems like everyone i know only ever seems to go Iron Heart and Stone Dragon

I mean, i have seen people take 1 or 2 maneuvers like Emereald Razor and the Concentration instead of a Will save thing, but what about higher end abilities?

Anyone?
Warlawk
08-30-07, 04:01 AM I have not yet had a chance to play (DM'd a short game) since we got the book of nine swords, but I LOVE the diamond mind maneuvers. When I get a chance to sit on the other side of the table, I will be playing a warblade and investing heavily in Diamond Mind.
EpicEvokerElf
08-30-07, 08:05 AM Time Stand Still is always fun... Yeah, I've played one. Fun times.
InkBlot
08-30-07, 10:13 AM And don't forget Avalanch Of Blades. AoB + Stormguard Warrior + Snap Kick + Garillon Windmill Flesh Rip + Sudden Recovery + AoB = Win.
LoneFlame
08-30-07, 11:28 AM Three words: Diamond Nightmare Blade
StruckingFuggle
08-30-07, 01:58 PM Really?

Most warblades I hear about avoid Stone Dragon (except maybe picking up a quick DR-breaker) in favor of Diamond Mind, and then take either White Raven or Iron Heart to go with it.
InkBlot
08-30-07, 03:18 PM Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground. That's the big reason for avoiding them, in my opinion, rather than the quality of the maneuvers themselves.

The only other big reason I can think of, is if the player favors cool dodgy jumpy run-aroundy strikes rather than straight up +xd6 strikes. Stone Dragon can seem a bit boring on paper, but in play (especially with a Crusader) it's hard to beat the satisfaction of a well-timed Elder Mountain Hammer.
Ariath Ska'Vhor
08-30-07, 03:48 PM My favorite two disciplines are Diamon Mind and Tiger Claw. Every warblade I make usually has a good deal of both.
otakutaylor
08-30-07, 04:35 PM I've made a Diamond Mind Warblade before (didn't get a chance to play her, just made her) and I will admit I loved the character. Theamaticly is was the same as my swashbuckler/duskblade gone bladesinger, just with a new set of rules for doing it.
Carwyn_Nhung
08-30-07, 09:14 PM I wish it were possible to create a good illumian trunamer/warblade specialising in diamond mind, as that might actually be my perfect character. But until then, no!
Optimator
09-02-07, 09:25 PM Really?

Most warblades I hear about avoid Stone Dragon (except maybe picking up a quick DR-breaker) in favor of Diamond Mind, and then take either White Raven or Iron Heart to go with it.

This has been my experience as well.
ibayboy
09-03-07, 03:42 AM One of my current characters is a Goliath Warblade15/Monk2. I started him planning to focus on Stone Dragon (it seemed to fit thematicly), but game-play has led me to alter the original concept to include Tiger Claw and Iron Heart maneuvers. He still gets the most use out of the Mountain Hammer strikes though, my DM hates them almost as much as he hates my Warmages Orb spells.:D
InkBlot
09-03-07, 11:40 AM Why? Because they go through DR without requiring you to keep a golfbag of magic swords? Because your highest level Mountain Hammer deals not-quite as much damage as your full attack with a standard action?
LoneFlame
09-03-07, 12:05 PM Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground.
None of the ones I use require that. One of the stances I use requires that I stand in one place, but when doing a full-round attack, I really don't care too much about that sort of thing.

Giant Stance(Stone Dragon) plus Fullblade(Arms & Equipment Guide), Power Attack, and Diamond Nightmare Blade(Diamond Mind) equals a whole lotta hurt.
InkBlot
09-03-07, 12:12 PM ALL Stone Dragon maneuvers require you to be on the ground. Look at page 81, in the upper left hand corner.

Unlike with other disciplines, adepts of this school rely on an external force -- the power of the earth and stone -- to help power their maneuvers. As a result, Stone Dragon maneuvers can be initiated only if you are in contact with the ground.

Stances are exempt from this restriction, since they aren't maneuvers.
ibayboy
09-03-07, 03:47 PM Why? Because they go through DR without requiring you to keep a golfbag of magic swords? Because your highest level Mountain Hammer deals not-quite as much damage as your full attack with a standard action?

Yeah, i try to point that type of thing out, but you know... DM eyes. :rolleyes:
Wolfvyn
09-03-07, 04:40 PM Disrupting blow is one of my favorite diamond mind maneuvers. Use moment of alacrity to go first and then whack the opponent with disrupting blow, forces him to loose a full round if he fails his save. A free round for your party is always a good way to start a fight. If you don't mind waiting a turn you can use mind strike first to drop his wisdom a bit to lower his save and then use disrupting blow. Plus that also makes it a little easier for the spell casters in your party to get him.
navar100
09-03-07, 06:17 PM Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground. That's the big reason for avoiding them, in my opinion, rather than the quality of the maneuvers themselves.

The only other big reason I can think of, is if the player favors cool dodgy jumpy run-aroundy strikes rather than straight up +xd6 strikes. Stone Dragon can seem a bit boring on paper, but in play (especially with a Crusader) it's hard to beat the satisfaction of a well-timed Elder Mountain Hammer.

Stone Dragon maneuvers allow dedicated warriors without high strength, <16, deal lots of damage for the comparative dedicated warrior level. Other maneuvers can as well, but Stone Dragon is more favorable for it.

While it is true you have to be on the ground to use them, if "every single foe" you face means you can't use Stone Dragon, the problem is not Stone Dragon. A prudent martial adept should not rely solely on Stone Dragon, but that it true for every discipline.
navar100
09-03-07, 06:20 PM Yeah, i try to point that type of thing out, but you know... DM eyes. :rolleyes:

But he has no problem with the wizard player casting save or die/screwed spells? It's a cliche analogy, but he needs to get a grip. It is not a sin for a player character to be powerful.
ibayboy
09-04-07, 03:15 AM But he has no problem with the wizard player casting save or die/screwed spells? It's a cliche analogy, but he needs to get a grip. It is not a sin for a player character to be powerful.

Yeah, he doesn't like my Warmages orb spells either. But it goes both ways. We seem to meet alot of things that hit us and do no-save-ability-damage too.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Majick 08-30-07, 12:38 AM	I realise full well that Warblades are designed to have more or less a devastating effect on the battle-field and are damage dealers, pure and simple, but has anyone ever actually used the Diamond Mind abilities for a Warblade character? Seems like everyone i know only ever seems to go Iron Heart and Stone Dragon I mean, i have seen people take 1 or 2 maneuvers like Emereald Razor and the Concentration instead of a Will save thing, but what about higher end abilities? Anyone?
Warlawk 08-30-07, 04:01 AM	I have not yet had a chance to play (DM'd a short game) since we got the book of nine swords, but I LOVE the diamond mind maneuvers. When I get a chance to sit on the other side of the table, I will be playing a warblade and investing heavily in Diamond Mind.
EpicEvokerElf 08-30-07, 08:05 AM	Time Stand Still is always fun... Yeah, I've played one. Fun times.
InkBlot 08-30-07, 10:13 AM	And don't forget Avalanch Of Blades. AoB + Stormguard Warrior + Snap Kick + Garillon Windmill Flesh Rip + Sudden Recovery + AoB = Win.
LoneFlame 08-30-07, 11:28 AM	Three words: Diamond Nightmare Blade
StruckingFuggle 08-30-07, 01:58 PM	Really? Most warblades I hear about avoid Stone Dragon (except maybe picking up a quick DR-breaker) in favor of Diamond Mind, and then take either White Raven or Iron Heart to go with it.
InkBlot 08-30-07, 03:18 PM	Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground. That's the big reason for avoiding them, in my opinion, rather than the quality of the maneuvers themselves. The only other big reason I can think of, is if the player favors cool dodgy jumpy run-aroundy strikes rather than straight up +xd6 strikes. Stone Dragon can seem a bit boring on paper, but in play (especially with a Crusader) it's hard to beat the satisfaction of a well-timed Elder Mountain Hammer.
Ariath Ska'Vhor 08-30-07, 03:48 PM	My favorite two disciplines are Diamon Mind and Tiger Claw. Every warblade I make usually has a good deal of both.
otakutaylor 08-30-07, 04:35 PM	I've made a Diamond Mind Warblade before (didn't get a chance to play her, just made her) and I will admit I loved the character. Theamaticly is was the same as my swashbuckler/duskblade gone bladesinger, just with a new set of rules for doing it.
Carwyn_Nhung 08-30-07, 09:14 PM	I wish it were possible to create a good illumian trunamer/warblade specialising in diamond mind, as that might actually be my perfect character. But until then, no!
Optimator 09-02-07, 09:25 PM	Really? Most warblades I hear about avoid Stone Dragon (except maybe picking up a quick DR-breaker) in favor of Diamond Mind, and then take either White Raven or Iron Heart to go with it. This has been my experience as well.
ibayboy 09-03-07, 03:42 AM	One of my current characters is a Goliath Warblade15/Monk2. I started him planning to focus on Stone Dragon (it seemed to fit thematicly), but game-play has led me to alter the original concept to include Tiger Claw and Iron Heart maneuvers. He still gets the most use out of the Mountain Hammer strikes though, my DM hates them almost as much as he hates my Warmages Orb spells.:D
InkBlot 09-03-07, 11:40 AM	Why? Because they go through DR without requiring you to keep a golfbag of magic swords? Because your highest level Mountain Hammer deals not-quite as much damage as your full attack with a standard action?
LoneFlame 09-03-07, 12:05 PM	Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground. None of the ones I use require that. One of the stances I use requires that I stand in one place, but when doing a full-round attack, I really don't care too much about that sort of thing. Giant Stance(Stone Dragon) plus Fullblade(Arms & Equipment Guide), Power Attack, and Diamond Nightmare Blade(Diamond Mind) equals a whole lotta hurt.
InkBlot 09-03-07, 12:12 PM	ALL Stone Dragon maneuvers require you to be on the ground. Look at page 81, in the upper left hand corner. Unlike with other disciplines, adepts of this school rely on an external force -- the power of the earth and stone -- to help power their maneuvers. As a result, Stone Dragon maneuvers can be initiated only if you are in contact with the ground. Stances are exempt from this restriction, since they aren't maneuvers.
ibayboy 09-03-07, 03:47 PM	Why? Because they go through DR without requiring you to keep a golfbag of magic swords? Because your highest level Mountain Hammer deals not-quite as much damage as your full attack with a standard action? Yeah, i try to point that type of thing out, but you know... DM eyes. :rolleyes:
Wolfvyn 09-03-07, 04:40 PM	Disrupting blow is one of my favorite diamond mind maneuvers. Use moment of alacrity to go first and then whack the opponent with disrupting blow, forces him to loose a full round if he fails his save. A free round for your party is always a good way to start a fight. If you don't mind waiting a turn you can use mind strike first to drop his wisdom a bit to lower his save and then use disrupting blow. Plus that also makes it a little easier for the spell casters in your party to get him.
navar100 09-03-07, 06:17 PM	Stone Dragon maneuvers can only be used while standing on the ground. That's the big reason for avoiding them, in my opinion, rather than the quality of the maneuvers themselves. The only other big reason I can think of, is if the player favors cool dodgy jumpy run-aroundy strikes rather than straight up +xd6 strikes. Stone Dragon can seem a bit boring on paper, but in play (especially with a Crusader) it's hard to beat the satisfaction of a well-timed Elder Mountain Hammer. Stone Dragon maneuvers allow dedicated warriors without high strength, <16, deal lots of damage for the comparative dedicated warrior level. Other maneuvers can as well, but Stone Dragon is more favorable for it. While it is true you have to be on the ground to use them, if "every single foe" you face means you can't use Stone Dragon, the problem is not Stone Dragon. A prudent martial adept should not rely solely on Stone Dragon, but that it true for every discipline.
navar100 09-03-07, 06:20 PM	Yeah, i try to point that type of thing out, but you know... DM eyes. :rolleyes: But he has no problem with the wizard player casting save or die/screwed spells? It's a cliche analogy, but he needs to get a grip. It is not a sin for a player character to be powerful.
ibayboy 09-04-07, 03:15 AM	But he has no problem with the wizard player casting save or die/screwed spells? It's a cliche analogy, but he needs to get a grip. It is not a sin for a player character to be powerful. Yeah, he doesn't like my Warmages orb spells either. But it goes both ways. We seem to meet alot of things that hit us and do no-save-ability-damage too.