Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SombreNote 07-10-07, 06:50 PM	I have a player in my campaign that is trying to pick out feats to best optimize her character. She is a 4th level duskblade who as picked no feats until now, so she has some choices as to where she wants to take her combat design. The issue she is having is as a duskblade, she is sort of a nitch fighter. She has cool tactical battle spells, but really no focus tactically. I know the duskblade is supposed to be a good one target damage dealer, so that is one way she should start to focus her feats on, but few seem to look like they fit the class. What feats/feat combos should a duskblade take to optimize her characters potential? EDIT: One forum said power attack, but i do not see that as a really good combo with a lot of her spells. Perhaps some of the swift touch attack ones, but those have to hit first.
SombreNote 07-11-07, 03:30 PM	Ok, well i guess i am not going to get any help on the feat department. I hear over and over again, that come 10th level the duskblade is incredible weak comparatively. Are there any multi-classing designs that work seamlessly with the duskblade to make them a viable addition yet still a melee spell caster? I have one idea that might work. She is a 4th level duskblade. I am thinking that if she takes a level in sorcerer, and then takes successive levels the Eldritch knight that might work. Though I don’t think the rules support it.
TheCobra 07-11-07, 03:39 PM	Power Attack is always a good idea, at least if the character uses a two-handed weapon. Other than that, I suggest Arcane Strike, which happens to go well with Power Attack. I don't have much actual experience with duskblades, but I serious doubt they become weak at higher level. They remain good at what they do: dealing damage.
Ages_Defiance 07-11-07, 07:21 PM	power attack spell rehearsal rapid meta majik-for rods cleave improved initiative fell drain residual majik these are the feats i used for my dusk blade. of course i messed up eventially and changed things to much. i see the duskblade as one not to prestige.
SombreNote 07-11-07, 08:49 PM	So I did some research online and these are some builds that are suggested. Trippy Combat Expertise Improved Trip Knock-down Combat Reflexes Hold the Line Wacky (Reach Weapon) Combat Reflexes Hold the line Evasive Reflexes Karmic Strike Short Haft Rushy Headlong Rush Battle Jump Spirted Charge Leap Attack Shock Trooper Jumpy Power Attack Improved Bullrush Leap Attack Shock Trooper Leap of the Heavens Battle Jump Jumpy2 Battle Jump Power Attack Headlong Rush Leap Attack Improved bullrush Shock Trooper Smashy Power Attack Leap of the Heavens Leap Attack Improved Charge Cleave (Possibly Great Cleave) Arcane Strike Battle Jump Short Haft Magicy Power Attack Spell Rehearsal Ripid meta-magic Cleave Improved Initative Fell Drain Residual Magic ( I do not about this last one because it is really really hard to find or make magic items in this campaign. No magic shops, or even magical people to sell you stuff. Even if there is a magical person, they will not give their personal stuff.)
Harliquinn 07-12-07, 08:57 AM	If you are going to maximize your AC with a shield, I recommend "Somatic Weaponry" feat. Arcane Strike is good. Any feat that gives you extra attacks as part of a full round action, increases your reach with a weapon, or makes it easier to hit is a good thing. 13th level is a great level for Duskblades. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about power attack, since with blade of blood, shocking grasp and the like you'll be doing lots of damage.
wonlee76 07-12-07, 01:24 PM	If you are going to maximize your AC with a shield, I recommend "Somatic Weaponry" feat. Arcane Strike is good. Any feat that gives you extra attacks as part of a full round action, increases your reach with a weapon, or makes it easier to hit is a good thing. 13th level is a great level for Duskblades. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about power attack, since with blade of blood, shocking grasp and the like you'll be doing lots of damage. I'd just add that somatic weaponry feat is good for a THF duskblade too since channeling spells still requires providing the appropriate components. Most of the spells you can channel spells require a somatic component of some sorts. I'm not so certain about how many touch spells have a material component but if there's a lot of them, eschew materials may be a goof feat to pick up as well.
Tevin Kevlak 07-12-07, 02:59 PM	I can't believe no one has suggested Smiting Spell yet (PHB2). It's a great spell for duskblades and will really come in to it's own next level when she could use it for 1st level spells (as opposed to only cantrips). But even at level 4 with use of Smiting Spell (Touch of Fatigue), Arcane Channeling and Blade of Blood with a greatsword she can dish out 4d6 (shocking grasp) + 3d6 (blade of blood when sacrificing 5 hp) + 2d6 + 1.5x str mod with a fortitude save or become fatigued... or you could add in another 1d3 acid or cold damage with smiting spell. So that's 9d6 + 1d3 (or fatigue) + 1.5 x str (with an 18 str that'd be 6 damage) for something like 39 damage on average. Start adding True Strike charging power attacks into the mix and you've got quite the damage dealer for such a low level. Once you get second level spells next level you'll be dishing out 15d6 damage +1.5x str mod with Smiting Spell (shocking grasp) Arcane Channeling (Shocking Grasp) and Blade of Blood (3d6 version) with a greatsword.
Ages_Defiance 07-12-07, 03:34 PM	i would suggest a gnome tortoise blade (except majik is hard to come by) deck out the shield (buckler) +5, then the blade +5, then give it defending and youve got youreself +11 ac from a shield that stacks with armour. problem is it costs alot.
Aleolus 07-12-07, 06:27 PM	Well, I don't know about feats, but I would tell you to take a lot of ranks in spot, and get Spot the Weak Point as a skill trick. You make a spot check against your opponents AC, and if it succeeds, then your next attack against that foe is treated as a touch attack. Combine that with a lot of the spells Duskblade can do on a successful attack, and that will really make critters hurt!
Harliquinn 07-17-07, 09:55 AM	I'd just add that somatic weaponry feat is good for a THF duskblade too since channeling spells still requires providing the appropriate components. Most of the spells you can channel spells require a somatic component of some sorts. I'm not so certain about how many touch spells have a material component but if there's a lot of them, eschew materials may be a goof feat to pick up as well. I believe removing your hand from a 2H weapon and putting it back on after casting the spell are considered 'free actions' but I could be wrong. In this case Somatic Weaponry might not be an optimum choice.
wonlee76 07-17-07, 10:34 AM	I believe removing your hand from a 2H weapon and putting it back on after casting the spell are considered 'free actions' but I could be wrong. In this case Somatic Weaponry might not be an optimum choice. I believe that is normally true but the description of the channel spell ability for duskblade I believe says something along the lines you can cast a touch spell as part of a standard action to attack (and later on as a full attack action) but I could be misinterpreting the channel spell ability.
DemonMonkeyBoy 07-17-07, 12:15 PM	A feat I liked for my Duskblade was Versitile Caster (RotD). Allows you to drop 2 lower lvl spells to cast a higher lvl spell. Thats 3 extra 1st lvl spell or 5 extra 2nd lvl spells at higher lvls. As for multi-classing I like the Warblade for a more melee type character or Warmage to add range spells to the character.
KamelGuru 07-18-07, 08:32 PM	DO NOT multiclass. This is one of the few classes that can deliver the PWN all by itself. Lv1: Power Attack (the bread and butter of ANY warrior) Lv3: Battle Caster (Now you can cast in HEAVY armor. Go get a full-plate) Optional: Flaws/Human/Other sources of feat(s): Battle Caster and replace LV3: Close Quarter Fighting, so you avoid EVER being grappled. And/Or Battlecaster Offence, since you gain both benefits virtually every round Continued build: Lv6: Leap Attack (with swift expeditious or jump on your list, you can REALLY swing this feat, and deal some monster damage) Lv9: Arcane Strike (creeps resistant to your Shocking Grasp? Have non-elemental pain, buggers!) Lv12: Armor Specialization: Full Plate (DR 2/-, which stacks with adamantite, which means 5/- if you're properly equipped) Lv15: Arcane Mastery (You have a bonus on overcoming spell resistance. Don't let bad luck with the d20 stop you from pwning the SR-beasties) Lv18: Whatever you pretty much feel like.
brucejohn22 07-26-07, 03:25 PM	A feat I liked for my Duskblade was Versitile Caster (RotD). Allows you to drop 2 lower lvl spells to cast a higher lvl spell. Thats 3 extra 1st lvl spell or 5 extra 2nd lvl spells at higher lvls. As for multi-classing I like the Warblade for a more melee type character or Warmage to add range spells to the character. What book is Versitile Caster (RotD) out of does any one know? thanks for the assistance.
Random Hero 07-26-07, 03:36 PM	hehe - the (RotD) means Races of the Dragon
ZeroSpace9000 07-26-07, 03:36 PM	The feat is not *Versatile Spellcaster (RotD)*, it's just Versatile Spellcaster. The (RotD) is a book abbreviation. It's Races of the Dragon.
GreyStar 07-26-07, 11:07 PM	I'd recommend Shielding Casting from Dragon. It requires Combat Casting, but that's a bonus feat, so it's easier for a duskblade. It lets you cast spells without provoking AoO as long as you've readied your shield.
Banatine 07-27-07, 08:48 AM	I didn't think that Smiting Spell would stack with arcane channelling. Does it stack with spell storing too? If it does that could get you some pretty nasty damage. Versatile Spellcaster is a very good feat, especially if you can get yourself some rings of wizardry. Also, on that point, Extra Rings is a good feat too (requires Forge Ring and being a 12th level aster, but allows you to wear 4 rings instead of only two). I would say that Arcane Strike is more important than Power Attack to a duskblade too (power attack is still essantial, but not as much as arcane strike.) I use Somatic Weaponry (because I was going to take Agile Sheild Fighter at some point) but Eschew Materials isn't essential (the component pouch assumes that you have everything you need in it as long as it isn't costly, and most people won't steal your pouch, will they?) Spell Rehearsal is also a very good feat combined with rings of wizardry, since you can channel the same spell over and over, gaining a cumulative +2 to hit every turn. Before long, you don't even need true strike to Power Attack.
Aleolus 08-05-07, 04:05 AM	Actually, I would recommend multiclassing into a class that spontaniously casts divine spells, such as Favored Soul, and when you can cast 2nd level spells from each, going into the Geomancer class. Nothing like being able to cast any touch spell you know (divine or arcane) through your weapon!