Blackguard Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blackguard Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
NightKnight
06-19-07, 04:38 PM I realize this has probably come up before, but I have a few questions about the Blackguard prestige class in the DMG.

According to the book, if you have 4 to 5 levels of paladin before taking Blackguard, you gain the Lay on Hands ability to heal yourself or your fiendish servant 1/day. The damage healed is your CHA mod x your level. Is that Character Level or Blackguard Level? I'm only asking because in a later entry for summoning, it specifies Blackguard Level. The same question applies for the ability to rebuke undead, does your effective cleric level equal your blackgurad level, or does it include additional paladin levels as well?
lord_xarallon
06-19-07, 04:52 PM IIRC when level just stands for it self in regards to a PrC then it is only levels in the PrC.
I would allow paladin levels in addition.
goawayugh
06-19-07, 05:07 PM If it doesn't say "character" level (which it doesn't), then it's just class level.
NightKnight
06-19-07, 06:26 PM I took it that way too at first, but then I got to thinking... If it's just the blackguard level, then the lay on hands isn't all that great and the rebuking undead really sucks! it's pretty useless by the time you get it.
JulesCARV
06-19-07, 08:33 PM Agreed. If you find that, through some misfortune, you're a fallen paladin, then blackguard is the best way to recoup your losses, but if you're aiming to be a blackguard from level 1, then there are much better options, like hexblade, fighter, or even a rogue or ranger dip to get the hide ranks. (and crusader, perhaps? I don't have ToB, but I'd think so)

(Also, if you're going for blackguard from level 1, you need an odd sort of cognitive dissonance to stay being a lawful good righteous paladin type in character while planning your transition to blackguard out of character. It can be done, but having a planned transition in outlook and alignment can seem a bit forced.)
Von_Harbringer
06-19-07, 08:53 PM Not to get too off topic. I had a back story concept for a villain. A human fighter decided to become a holy warrior (paladin). He was sent by the church to get rid of a vampire (he was level 5; ftr2/pal3). He was slain (energy drained) by the vampire. When he awoke as a vampire and vowed to rid the world of vampires (became a ranger favored enemy: undead). The other vampire's concubine (a succubus) coerced him to kill her master. She continued to manipulate and corrupt him that his need to feed on blood is ok if it is from evil creatures. Then it was ok if he needed to take blood from people who are criminals. She was able give himself to evil. Then he becomes a blackguard.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
NightKnight 06-19-07, 04:38 PM	I realize this has probably come up before, but I have a few questions about the Blackguard prestige class in the DMG. According to the book, if you have 4 to 5 levels of paladin before taking Blackguard, you gain the Lay on Hands ability to heal yourself or your fiendish servant 1/day. The damage healed is your CHA mod x your level. Is that Character Level or Blackguard Level? I'm only asking because in a later entry for summoning, it specifies Blackguard Level. The same question applies for the ability to rebuke undead, does your effective cleric level equal your blackgurad level, or does it include additional paladin levels as well?
lord_xarallon 06-19-07, 04:52 PM	IIRC when level just stands for it self in regards to a PrC then it is only levels in the PrC. I would allow paladin levels in addition.
goawayugh 06-19-07, 05:07 PM	If it doesn't say "character" level (which it doesn't), then it's just class level.
NightKnight 06-19-07, 06:26 PM	I took it that way too at first, but then I got to thinking... If it's just the blackguard level, then the lay on hands isn't all that great and the rebuking undead really sucks! it's pretty useless by the time you get it.
JulesCARV 06-19-07, 08:33 PM	Agreed. If you find that, through some misfortune, you're a fallen paladin, then blackguard is the best way to recoup your losses, but if you're aiming to be a blackguard from level 1, then there are much better options, like hexblade, fighter, or even a rogue or ranger dip to get the hide ranks. (and crusader, perhaps? I don't have ToB, but I'd think so) (Also, if you're going for blackguard from level 1, you need an odd sort of cognitive dissonance to stay being a lawful good righteous paladin type in character while planning your transition to blackguard out of character. It can be done, but having a planned transition in outlook and alignment can seem a bit forced.)
Von_Harbringer 06-19-07, 08:53 PM	Not to get too off topic. I had a back story concept for a villain. A human fighter decided to become a holy warrior (paladin). He was sent by the church to get rid of a vampire (he was level 5; ftr2/pal3). He was slain (energy drained) by the vampire. When he awoke as a vampire and vowed to rid the world of vampires (became a ranger favored enemy: undead). The other vampire's concubine (a succubus) coerced him to kill her master. She continued to manipulate and corrupt him that his need to feed on blood is ok if it is from evil creatures. Then it was ok if he needed to take blood from people who are criminals. She was able give himself to evil. Then he becomes a blackguard.