Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thelon Fairblade 03-19-04, 10:14 AM	The feat Arcane Strike allows you to spend a daily spell slot to gain +X to hit and +Xd4 to damage with ALL your attacks for one round. Try this action: Be a battle sorcerer with only ¡§buff¡¨ and ¡§utility¡¨ spells; focus on two-weapon fighting¡K don¡¦t bother with ¡§attack spells¡¨ since you can spend, for example, a 3rd level spell slot to make all your attacks +3 to hit and +3d4 damage! Level 8 battle sorc is +6/+1. With TWF, +4/+4/-1. With 3rd level slot, +7/+7/+2, with +3d4 on each attack (granted, not multiplicative with critical hit, but not resistible either). Level 15 battle sorc is +11/+6/+1. With TWF and ITWF, +9/+9/+4/+4/-1. With 3rd level slot¡K Now, granted, that¡¦s not comparable to a Fireball dealing 8d6 or 10d6 to everyone in the area¡K. The fireball gets a save, but the arcane strike needs to hit; balance out. The fireball can be resisted with energy resistance, arcane strike cannot. The 8th level battle sorc only has like 1 3rd level spell¡K. This way he could learn Haste, haste himself and up to 7 buddies, and then spend his other 3 to 5 slots on nasty arcane strikes (with an extra attack every round from the haste!)! Now, the battle sorc only knows 1 one-handed or light martial weapon. He could easily take shortsword, but light maces or even daggers works just fine. He only needs a high dex and moderate CHA ¡V the DEX is required for the TWF feats, but a mere 14 CHA will handle all the spellcasting he¡¦ll need for a long time. Battle Sorc ¡§Standard Array¡¨ stats: S 10, I 11, W 8, D 15, C 13, Ch 14 1st level: Two-Weapon Fighting „³ Humans could also add Two-Weapon Defense for an extra +1 or +2 to AC 3rd level: Weapon Finesse (applies to light weapons, as well as touch spells), or Weapon Focus (chosen weapon) 6th level: Arcane Strike 9th level: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting 12th level: anything (Improved Critical? Extra Spell Known? Improved Two-weapon Defense) 15th level: Greater Two-Weapon Fighting 18th level: anything 1st level: +0, or -2/-2 2nd level: +1, or -1/-1 3rd level: +4, or +2/+2 4th level: +5, or +3/+3 5th level: no change 6th level: +6, or +4/+4; or +7/+7 & +3d4 with 3rd level slot!; Hasted: +8/+8/+8 & +3d4 7th level: +7, or +5/+5; or +8/+8 & +3d4 with 3rd level slot; Hasted: +9/+9/+9 & 3d4 8th level: +8/+3, or +6/+6/+1; or +9/+9/+4 & +3d4 with 3rd level slot; or +10/+10/+5 & +4d4 with 4th level slot; Hasted +11/+11/+11/+6 & +4d4 9th level: +8/+3, or +6/+6/+1/+1; or +9/+9/+4/+4 & +3d4 w/3rd; or + or +10/+10/+5/+5 & +4d4 with 4th level slot; Hasted +11/+11/+11/+6/+6 & +4d4 etc¡K. Plus the d8/level HD, and the utility spells for non combat situations, etc¡K. Does this seem like a reasonbly powerful build? (For a front-liner wannabe)
jensun 03-19-04, 12:15 PM	Personally I wouldnt use the battle sorceror for this due to the limited number of spells. If you can try and fit in Sacred Exorcist somewhere and then pick up Divine Might and use both it and Arcane Strike. You may also want to consider picking up a Domain for access to extra spells. Be aware that there is much confusion over whether the contemplative domain adds to your arcane spells known. The argument is still running and will probably not end until Complete Divine comes out. Pal2/Sorc or Battle Sorc 6/EKn10/Sacred Exorcist 2 works very well but as you say you must focus on buff and utility spells. I also find battle field control spells are helpful as they mostly ignore saves and SR. If you GM allows you to get away with multiple mini dips into PrC's then: Pal2/Sorc6/EKn8/Spellsword1/DragonSlayer1/Sacred Exorcist2 works well. If your GM allows Contemplative Domain spells to add to spells known then take Mysticism Domain and drop Paladin. Alternatively try for the Hero Domain from OA and get access to Divine Power, Shapechange, Righteous Might and other excellent spells. You should also check out the Gish thread which has lots of useful ideas although it tends to focus on people who want more fighting than magery.
iN.fuSioN 03-19-04, 03:03 PM	i'm quickly sweeping thru the text since i'm leaving work now, but you cannot use Arcane Strike with two weapons, since it only imbues one. That's why i recommend it for use with 2 handed weapons or weapons wielded with 2 hands. So the bonus you get on the attack with the feat you can expend on power attack (x2 since its 2 handed). I'm wrinting some stuff about the battlesorcerer, maybe i'll release some sort of guide about it this weekend. If i do so i'll post a link here. :)
Qaetar 03-19-04, 03:44 PM	Has anyone looked for a clarification of whether Arcane Strike affects both ends of a double weapon? (Qaetar)
Impeesa 03-19-04, 03:45 PM	Paladin 2/Sorc 4/Spellsword 5/Sacred Exorcist 8/Dragonslayer 1 will get you lots of goodies, +16 BAB, 16th level sorc casting, lots of extra turning for Divine Might/Divine Shield, and the ability to spam Acane Strike. Plus cast in full plate & shield with no failure, if both are mithril and at least one has the twilight enhancement. --Impeesa--
Sisyfos 03-19-04, 05:24 PM	Originally posted by Qaetar Has anyone looked for a clarification of whether Arcane Strike affects both ends of a double weapon? (Qaetar) Both ends of a double weapon are enchanted separately. It would be logical to think that arcane strike would also affect them as two separate weapons. It is clear at least that is the intention of the feat. Sisyfos