arcane Ftr? [Archive] - Wizards Community

arcane Ftr? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ledfan
12-20-05, 09:55 PM hi I'm looking for a equivalent of a "paladin" for arcane spell casting (as in good fort and BAB abilitys and some spells) I know theres the hexblade but i need it to be able to be good thanks for any suggestions :)
Nephlite
12-20-05, 10:13 PM Does to need to be arcane?

Psi-Ladin (Psionic Paladin) fits every part but not being arcane caster instead psionic manifestor.

Why not just make a Variant Hexblade that is good: you'd need to change some of the abilites maybe that are non-good.
Feor
12-20-05, 10:54 PM I've discussed making good Hexblades with my group before. It's actually pretty easy:

Alignment: Any Non-evil (otherwise just go hexblade :P)
Hexblade's Curse -> Spellblade's Boon: Anywhere it's gives a penalty, give the exact same thing as a bonus. (so at level 1 he could give any visible target withing 60 feet a +2 to attacks, saves, checks, and damage for 1 hour.) We thought the duration seemed a bit much, and considered changing it to something like 1d10+1min/level.
Aura of Unluck -> Aura of Luck: Any attack a hexblade makes has a 20% greater chance to hit.

Otherwise, identical to Hexblade in everything but fluff.
ninjarabbit
12-20-05, 11:23 PM The alignment restriction on hexblade is very artificial and serves no real purpose. A good wizard or sorcerer can cast bestow curse without any problem. Granted cursing someone is not a nice thing to do but neither is chucking a fireball at the person.
BadCatMan
12-20-05, 11:31 PM I think changing the Hexblade's alignment restrictions to non-Lawful would be a good idea: the cursing and bad luck feels more chaotic to me.

Otherwise, you have to make a gish: multiclassed wizard / fighter type (or any arcane caster / warrior type):
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=307309
SCMrks
12-21-05, 12:02 PM The Champions of Valor book has a feat that paladins and rangers of Mystra and Azuth can take to be able to use their spell slots for arcane spells. There are also substitution levels and a prestige class that make them arcane paladins.

You could also use the Mage Blade class from Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved.
Daystar_Clarion
12-25-05, 07:13 AM You could always try the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana.
runestar
12-25-05, 09:10 AM Or play a gish?
Rulebook
12-25-05, 10:10 AM I agree. Gish builds in this situation are superior. the extremely slow spellcasting rate of the demi-casters just isnt worth anything to an arcane type.

it'll take a little time unless you're starting higer than like 3rd level, but Gish out my friend. go Paladin/Sorcerer for exactly what you're looking for too!
Xabre
12-25-05, 02:59 PM The Champions of Valor book has a feat that paladins and rangers of Mystra and Azuth can take to be able to use their spell slots for arcane spells. There are also substitution levels and a prestige class that make them arcane paladins.

You could also use the Mage Blade class from Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved.

The Paladin of Mystra from Champions of Valour is actually some pretty good class substitution, in my opinion. Better than a lot of the other ones I've seen. Ironically enough though, the prestige in the same book for Mystra doesn't really mesh well.

However, between those racial sub levels, the Initiate of Mystra feat, and maybe Devoted Spellcaster... you co uld make something pretty decent.

....

A friend of mine, the other day, brought me a prestige class he wanted to play for a game I intend to run. it was from a splatbook, and the requirements involved Weapon Focus, Combat Casting, and ability to cast the arcane spells: Mage Armor, True Strike, Bull's Strength, and Keen Edge.

He's a 'munchkin' of the highest degree, and he can't find anything better for a fighter/mage then a level of fighter and levels of sorcerer.
Rulebook
12-25-05, 08:47 PM swashbuckler/wizard. both str and int buffs work well there.

my new char for a 10th level game starting next weekend is a Swash3/Wiz5/Knight Phantom2... mage armor isnt as useful as Shield in this case. Courtblades are fun.
Surreal
12-25-05, 10:48 PM Hmm, how about a Suel Arcanamach? (Complete Arcane) Sort of like a Gish-lite.
Leress
12-25-05, 11:57 PM What about the Spellsword from Complete Adventurer?
Herodotus
02-28-06, 12:55 AM I dunno maybe pal2/sor6 eldritch knight kinda depends on level or also sws3/wiz5/ eldritch knight. its a 9/10ths caster with full bab a bonus feat and a fort stack
Thelon Fairblade
02-28-06, 09:08 AM Go fighter 1, then sorc 1 or wiz 1, then fighter 2 and take Practised Spellcaster. Then go up to Fighter 4 / (sorc or Wiz) 1, and PrC into a gish class. Remember that you are a fighter, with some spells, not a spellcaster with some martial abilities. Even something as simple as Eldritch Knight will increase your fighter BAB and HP well, while increasing your casting as well, as a benefit. Practised Spellcaster gives you the "caster level" requirement without requiring a big investment in a casting class.

Alternatively, BattleSorcerer from UA is a full caster with 3/4 BAB and light armor.
NineInchNall
03-01-06, 03:23 PM Character Build Spotlight: Gish (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=307309)

Battle Sorcerer Gish Guide (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=205534)
JulesCARV
03-01-06, 03:39 PM One possibility is the (Pick one: fighter, ranger, barbarian, or paladin)/Wizard 5/Knight Phantom, if you're Aundairian.

Knight Phantom has steeper prerequisites than Eldritch Knight, but you can cast in light armor without any arcane spell failure, and you could take "Battle Caster" to get medium armor w/o arcane spell failure. If you really want to armor up, get some Elven Darkleaf or Mithral and make it full plate. :)

The class has very specific fluff, though, to the nation of Aundair in Eberron. However, it does mention it being adaptable. It does probably require an oath to serve a bunch of rich people with nice clothes who can't be bothered to do their own killin'. (i.e., vow to serve a King or Queen or somesuch)

UPDATE: Knight Phantom (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=4) link.
Chimaera2000
03-02-06, 01:45 AM I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but my mage blade base class (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=385238) (based flavor-wise on Monte Cook's class) is a decent representation of the arcane fighter.
Kastas
03-02-06, 03:09 AM I'm surprised that no one's suggested the soulborn from Magic of Incarnum. It's not technically a spellcaster, but it is a warrior reminiscent of the paladin with some nifty supernatural abilities (particularly meldshaping). It has a restriction that requires you to take an "extreme" alignment (LG, CG, LE, or CE), but that should probably be fine for you.

If you're dead-set on playing an arcane spellcaster, then I'd have to agree with the others here who say that multi-classing and prestige-classing is the way to go. I'm a fan of the eldritch knight, personally. It's abilities don't have much unique flavor, but it's a very straightforward fighter-mage style class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ledfan 12-20-05, 09:55 PM	hi I'm looking for a equivalent of a "paladin" for arcane spell casting (as in good fort and BAB abilitys and some spells) I know theres the hexblade but i need it to be able to be good thanks for any suggestions :)
Nephlite 12-20-05, 10:13 PM	Does to need to be arcane? Psi-Ladin (Psionic Paladin) fits every part but not being arcane caster instead psionic manifestor. Why not just make a Variant Hexblade that is good: you'd need to change some of the abilites maybe that are non-good.
Feor 12-20-05, 10:54 PM	I've discussed making good Hexblades with my group before. It's actually pretty easy: Alignment: Any Non-evil (otherwise just go hexblade :P) Hexblade's Curse -> Spellblade's Boon: Anywhere it's gives a penalty, give the exact same thing as a bonus. (so at level 1 he could give any visible target withing 60 feet a +2 to attacks, saves, checks, and damage for 1 hour.) We thought the duration seemed a bit much, and considered changing it to something like 1d10+1min/level. Aura of Unluck -> Aura of Luck: Any attack a hexblade makes has a 20% greater chance to hit. Otherwise, identical to Hexblade in everything but fluff.
ninjarabbit 12-20-05, 11:23 PM	The alignment restriction on hexblade is very artificial and serves no real purpose. A good wizard or sorcerer can cast bestow curse without any problem. Granted cursing someone is not a nice thing to do but neither is chucking a fireball at the person.
BadCatMan 12-20-05, 11:31 PM	I think changing the Hexblade's alignment restrictions to non-Lawful would be a good idea: the cursing and bad luck feels more chaotic to me. Otherwise, you have to make a gish: multiclassed wizard / fighter type (or any arcane caster / warrior type): http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=307309
SCMrks 12-21-05, 12:02 PM	The Champions of Valor book has a feat that paladins and rangers of Mystra and Azuth can take to be able to use their spell slots for arcane spells. There are also substitution levels and a prestige class that make them arcane paladins. You could also use the Mage Blade class from Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved.
Daystar_Clarion 12-25-05, 07:13 AM	You could always try the Battle Sorcerer variant from Unearthed Arcana.
runestar 12-25-05, 09:10 AM	Or play a gish?
Rulebook 12-25-05, 10:10 AM	I agree. Gish builds in this situation are superior. the extremely slow spellcasting rate of the demi-casters just isnt worth anything to an arcane type. it'll take a little time unless you're starting higer than like 3rd level, but Gish out my friend. go Paladin/Sorcerer for exactly what you're looking for too!
Xabre 12-25-05, 02:59 PM	The Champions of Valor book has a feat that paladins and rangers of Mystra and Azuth can take to be able to use their spell slots for arcane spells. There are also substitution levels and a prestige class that make them arcane paladins. You could also use the Mage Blade class from Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved. The Paladin of Mystra from Champions of Valour is actually some pretty good class substitution, in my opinion. Better than a lot of the other ones I've seen. Ironically enough though, the prestige in the same book for Mystra doesn't really mesh well. However, between those racial sub levels, the Initiate of Mystra feat, and maybe Devoted Spellcaster... you co uld make something pretty decent. .... A friend of mine, the other day, brought me a prestige class he wanted to play for a game I intend to run. it was from a splatbook, and the requirements involved Weapon Focus, Combat Casting, and ability to cast the arcane spells: Mage Armor, True Strike, Bull's Strength, and Keen Edge. He's a 'munchkin' of the highest degree, and he can't find anything better for a fighter/mage then a level of fighter and levels of sorcerer.
Rulebook 12-25-05, 08:47 PM	swashbuckler/wizard. both str and int buffs work well there. my new char for a 10th level game starting next weekend is a Swash3/Wiz5/Knight Phantom2... mage armor isnt as useful as Shield in this case. Courtblades are fun.
Surreal 12-25-05, 10:48 PM	Hmm, how about a Suel Arcanamach? (Complete Arcane) Sort of like a Gish-lite.
Leress 12-25-05, 11:57 PM	What about the Spellsword from Complete Adventurer?
Herodotus 02-28-06, 12:55 AM	I dunno maybe pal2/sor6 eldritch knight kinda depends on level or also sws3/wiz5/ eldritch knight. its a 9/10ths caster with full bab a bonus feat and a fort stack
Thelon Fairblade 02-28-06, 09:08 AM	Go fighter 1, then sorc 1 or wiz 1, then fighter 2 and take Practised Spellcaster. Then go up to Fighter 4 / (sorc or Wiz) 1, and PrC into a gish class. Remember that you are a fighter, with some spells, not a spellcaster with some martial abilities. Even something as simple as Eldritch Knight will increase your fighter BAB and HP well, while increasing your casting as well, as a benefit. Practised Spellcaster gives you the "caster level" requirement without requiring a big investment in a casting class. Alternatively, BattleSorcerer from UA is a full caster with 3/4 BAB and light armor.
NineInchNall 03-01-06, 03:23 PM	Character Build Spotlight: Gish (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=307309) Battle Sorcerer Gish Guide (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=205534)
JulesCARV 03-01-06, 03:39 PM	One possibility is the (Pick one: fighter, ranger, barbarian, or paladin)/Wizard 5/Knight Phantom, if you're Aundairian. Knight Phantom has steeper prerequisites than Eldritch Knight, but you can cast in light armor without any arcane spell failure, and you could take "Battle Caster" to get medium armor w/o arcane spell failure. If you really want to armor up, get some Elven Darkleaf or Mithral and make it full plate. :) The class has very specific fluff, though, to the nation of Aundair in Eberron. However, it does mention it being adaptable. It does probably require an oath to serve a bunch of rich people with nice clothes who can't be bothered to do their own killin'. (i.e., vow to serve a King or Queen or somesuch) UPDATE: Knight Phantom (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=4) link.
Chimaera2000 03-02-06, 01:45 AM	I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but my mage blade base class (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=385238) (based flavor-wise on Monte Cook's class) is a decent representation of the arcane fighter.
Kastas 03-02-06, 03:09 AM	I'm surprised that no one's suggested the soulborn from Magic of Incarnum. It's not technically a spellcaster, but it is a warrior reminiscent of the paladin with some nifty supernatural abilities (particularly meldshaping). It has a restriction that requires you to take an "extreme" alignment (LG, CG, LE, or CE), but that should probably be fine for you. If you're dead-set on playing an arcane spellcaster, then I'd have to agree with the others here who say that multi-classing and prestige-classing is the way to go. I'm a fan of the eldritch knight, personally. It's abilities don't have much unique flavor, but it's a very straightforward fighter-mage style class.