Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dasher2k 04-26-06, 08:38 PM	I've been wanting to make an arcane fighter character for some time but was wondering what levels I should take. I am thinking Gray Elf for +Dex and +Int and going swashbuckler for more damage. I don't have my books with me but I believe that you add your Int to damage at 3rd level. 1st, 3rd, 6th: combat expertise, dodge, combat casting swashbuckler 3: weapon finese fighter 1: weapon focus wizard 2: (Illusionist) bladesinger [1-10]: Get Practiced Spell caster at 9th Spells: Make use of mage armor, shield, color spray, bladeweave, mirrior image, false life if needed (not projecting further). I was thinking of this build with stats: 10 Str 18 Dex 12 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha -or- 10 Str 17 Dex 12 Con 18 Int 8 Wis 8 Cha The only problem with using swashbuckler is that I would need to take a level in fighter to meet the prereq. so I will be taking a 20% exp penalty. But swashbuckler gives me my melee damage vs just taking fighter (or would it be better to go 4 fighter/2 wizard for weapon specialization?). Anyways I was just wondering what you guys thought and if you have seen any other bladesingers and how they did their characters.
Reylance 04-28-06, 11:21 AM	Playing a swashbuckler-bladesinger has a lot of synergy, and I've thought about that build. Raising your intelligence helps save DCs, spells per day, AC, and damage, which is quite nice. The bladesinger prerequisites, however, are brutal. An alternate build that avoids the XP penalty and gives you an extra feat is Sws3/Ftr2/Wiz1. You'll be a caster level behind, but you could take Practiced Spellcaster and Craft Wondrous Item earlier. As a bladesinger, you really want to be unarmored, and having your Mage Armors last 6 hours instead of 3 at 7th level is good. Buy a couple of pearls, and you're set. To avoid XP penalties, consider the following: 1. Sws1 Dodge, Weapon Finesse 2. Sws2 3. Wiz1 Practiced Spellcaster 4. Ftr1 Combat Expertise 5. Ftr2 Weapon Focus 6. Sws3 Combat Casting 7. Bld1 8. Bld2 9. Bld3 Craft Wondrous Item If you go Bladesinger the rest of the way out, you get 8th level caster at 11th level, and that's where you get to craft your Headband and Gloves.