Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AaronDireBear 04-23-08, 01:35 PM	First Point: False Advertisement All right, so the flavor text of the Spellsword claims that channeling a spell through a melee weapon "helps bypass an enemy's defenses". And yet in the description of channel spell, it says that "saving throws and spell resistance apply as normal". So now not only does Fireball STILL require a reflex save even though its being applied intravenously, it now requires an additional successful attack roll against a foe's full armor class. How does this class feature in ANY WAY "bypass an enemy's defenses"? If anything, it makes the spells EASIER to defend against especially at epic levels when monster AC becomes "natural 20 only" even when the CR is LOWER than the Party Level. So now finger of death, which required no attack roll before, now requires one. What were you thinking? Second Point: Bonus Feat = Spell level? I don't get what is it with your PRC design team and screwing over spellcasters? I can understand the class feature replacing spell progression, but why an Effing bonus feat? It would be nice if I could take that class and replace all of the Channel Spell with a level of spellcasting, but then there would still be that bonus metamagic feat, which, last time I checked, is HARDLY the equivalent of a spell level. People who use metamagic feats need as many spell levels as they can get. Heck, Wizards get metamagic feats for free every 5 levels (though sorcerers get screwed in that department). I am sick of your "in order to enjoy a pleasurable experience you must also lose a limb or be beaten by a rusty morningstar first" logic!
Bergtann 04-23-08, 04:24 PM	I think a lot of PrC designers simply don't understand how big a disadvantage losing a spell level is, or how cumulatively horrific losing several can be. Sand Shaper, the first lost level is considered worth it for a spont caster because of all the spells it adds. The second gives you the ability to ressurect yourself, and it is still never taken!
Cartigan 04-23-08, 06:02 PM	It's Complete Warrior - it was a really earlier released book and it is full of underpowered/underrealized classes and editing errors.
Jaxgaret 04-23-08, 07:12 PM	How does this class feature in ANY WAY "bypass an enemy's defenses"? It bypasses DR nicely. Second Point: Bonus Feat = Spell level? I don't get what is it with your PRC design team and screwing over spellcasters? I can understand the class feature replacing spell progression, but why an Effing bonus feat? It would be nice if I could take that class and replace all of the Channel Spell with a level of spellcasting, but then there would still be that bonus metamagic feat, which, last time I checked, is HARDLY the equivalent of a spell level. People who use metamagic feats need as many spell levels as they can get. Heck, Wizards get metamagic feats for free every 5 levels (though sorcerers get screwed in that department). I am sick of your "in order to enjoy a pleasurable experience you must also lose a limb or be beaten by a rusty morningstar first" logic! Whoa there. First of all, Spellsword is still pretty decent for a 1- or 3-level dip. Secondly, they made a much stronger gish class in Complete Mage called the Abjurant Champion, you should check it out. Alternatively, there is a class in the PHBII which works as a channel gish from early levels - the Duskblade. Yes, class balance in 3e is poorly implemented. This has been gone over a million times before on these boards. A Fighter1/Sorcerer6/Spellsword3/EldritchKnight10 is still a pretty strong build, especially compared to non-spellcasters. It's above average all the way from level 1 to 20. And that's just a baseline gish build, nothing fancy at all. A well built Sorcadin (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=965450) vastly outperforms it.
GuyrtheadamantineOne 04-23-08, 10:35 PM	If you want a good balanced gish, just go Psychic Warrior. It's even on the SRD, so no book to buy!
RobbyPants 04-24-08, 10:18 AM	Yeah, due to it's design, the class is rarely worth taking more than three levels, and often, not for more than one. However, that first level is a real dandy, and it's easy to qualify for (assuming you want to play a gish). For a single level dip, you get: d8 Hit Die +1 BAB +1 caster level / spellcasting progression Ignore arcane spell failure 10% Generally speaking, taking this first level of Spellsword is when many gish builds begin go synergize and realize their potential. You finally start gaining combat ability and casting, as well as the ability to do it in a mithril shirt.
Cartigan 04-24-08, 10:26 AM	The problem with Channel Spell is all saving throws should apply except Reflex, something they left out here but remembered to add in Spellwarp Sniper from Complete Scoundrel. An editing error likely - the book is inundated with them. Like how it doesn't say whether or not Channel Spell provokes an AoO. I'm convinced that they put Complete Warrior straight to print and didn't run it past any editors at all.