Alternate Bladesinger options... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate Bladesinger options... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mazarick
09-30-03, 04:02 PM Hey guys, how's it goin?

Got a little question for ya. A player of mine, a real elf enthusiast (as am I) wants to go Bladesinger. He's a Evoker8/Fighter2/Ranger2 (good RP stories behind it ;)).

Well, we both took a look at it, and we both thought that the Bladesinger (corrected version...looking in Races of Faerun) was a little weak with the spell aspect. Unique combat abilities, yes, but really, almost useless to a party later on.

So, we thought of some stuff for it, and we want to see if you guys think it's unbalanced or not.

ALL abilities are in place. The only difference is the spellcasting. The character can choose to go with the bladesinger spellcasting, or as an alternate rule they can gain +1 previous spellcasting spells/day every two levels, starting at level 2. However, the decision for either must be made at level 1. In RP terms, they bladesinger first focuses on their combat abilities and then starts blending both. Also, the spells/day for bladesinger are not entirely gone. They are added as bonus spells...in a way. Half of the max spells/day for bladesinger spells (rounded down) are added as bonus spells, and those spells MUST be from the bladesinger list. No bonus spells from the bladesinger list are added (IE: A high intelligence that would make a bladesinger cast 6 spells per day at 10th level is still treated as 4 spells/day)

For example, the evoker above decides to really rip into bladesinger, and goes all the way to 10th (which would be Char Level 22...epic)

Normally, a bladesinger gets 4/4/3/3 spells/day (1st/2nd/3rd/4th respectively)

Edit...in place of this...

That character would have spells per day equal to a level 13th wizard, and would have 2 bonus 1st and 2nd level spells and 1 bonus 3rd and 4th level spells, all of which must be used for bladesinger spells.

Good?

It doesn't seem horrible to me but it would be better to get some input ;)

Thanks a lot.
Kalanth
09-30-03, 04:05 PM Originally posted by Mazarick
Hey guys, how's it goin?

Got a little question for ya. A player of mine, a real elf enthusiast (as am I) wants to go Bladesinger.

How can you be an elf enthusiast? Did know that was possible. :nonono:

Anyways, I like what you got here. Curious, have you looked at the posted errata available on the Wizards site? I think it may have some nice answers for you there.
Otto the Bugbear
09-30-03, 05:18 PM Eh, my first impression is that it would probably work out okay if both the player and the DM are okay with it. :smirk:

Isn't that how it's supposted to always work anyway?

Seriously, most times I've ever seen an "improvement" to the B.S., it's to add +1 caster level instead of the unique spell list. While it's mostly every level (which is WAY overpowered), I think you're method will work out just fine.

The main abuse that can be generated with this is being able to cast higher level arcane spells as a free action while in combat. However, topping out at 13th caster level won't cause problems. Normally, if you really push it, you can get that out of a B.S. build anyway (fighter 1 / Wizard 6 / B.S 6 / Wizard +7) by level 20.

Oh, and the bonus spell thing is really just gravy. It seems to me you're more worried about that than the +1 caster level, but you needn't be. Giving a wizard 6 bonus spells is hardly worth the trouble. Especially when you consider the limited spell list, and the fact that the wizard may already have a lot of the spells from that list.

If it were a sorcerer, I'd be more leery of those bonus spells. But then again they're only 1st through 4th level, so it may not be a big deal.

Overall, I'd say to go with it. Remeber, it's a game, err on the side of fun.

Cheers

Otto :)
Mazarick
09-30-03, 05:38 PM Hey, thanks a lot for the feedback.

Oh, I just realized something. Not bonus spells...bonus spells per day...2 extra 1st, 2nd and 1 extra 3rd, 4th slot, but they have to be bladesinger spells. Donno if that changes your opinion of if that's actually what you thought.

Cheers ;)
Otto the Bugbear
09-30-03, 06:32 PM You're welcome.

That is more powerful than bonus spells, but not enough to change my opinion.

It should work out okay for a wizard, but for sorcerers I feel it would be too powerful.

Cheers

Otto :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mazarick 09-30-03, 04:02 PM	Hey guys, how's it goin? Got a little question for ya. A player of mine, a real elf enthusiast (as am I) wants to go Bladesinger. He's a Evoker8/Fighter2/Ranger2 (good RP stories behind it ;)). Well, we both took a look at it, and we both thought that the Bladesinger (corrected version...looking in Races of Faerun) was a little weak with the spell aspect. Unique combat abilities, yes, but really, almost useless to a party later on. So, we thought of some stuff for it, and we want to see if you guys think it's unbalanced or not. ALL abilities are in place. The only difference is the spellcasting. The character can choose to go with the bladesinger spellcasting, or as an alternate rule they can gain +1 previous spellcasting spells/day every two levels, starting at level 2. However, the decision for either must be made at level 1. In RP terms, they bladesinger first focuses on their combat abilities and then starts blending both. Also, the spells/day for bladesinger are not entirely gone. They are added as bonus spells...in a way. Half of the max spells/day for bladesinger spells (rounded down) are added as bonus spells, and those spells MUST be from the bladesinger list. No bonus spells from the bladesinger list are added (IE: A high intelligence that would make a bladesinger cast 6 spells per day at 10th level is still treated as 4 spells/day) For example, the evoker above decides to really rip into bladesinger, and goes all the way to 10th (which would be Char Level 22...epic) Normally, a bladesinger gets 4/4/3/3 spells/day (1st/2nd/3rd/4th respectively) Edit...in place of this... That character would have spells per day equal to a level 13th wizard, and would have 2 bonus 1st and 2nd level spells and 1 bonus 3rd and 4th level spells, all of which must be used for bladesinger spells. Good? It doesn't seem horrible to me but it would be better to get some input ;) Thanks a lot.
Kalanth 09-30-03, 04:05 PM	Originally posted by Mazarick Hey guys, how's it goin? Got a little question for ya. A player of mine, a real elf enthusiast (as am I) wants to go Bladesinger. How can you be an elf enthusiast? Did know that was possible. :nonono: Anyways, I like what you got here. Curious, have you looked at the posted errata available on the Wizards site? I think it may have some nice answers for you there.
Otto the Bugbear 09-30-03, 05:18 PM	Eh, my first impression is that it would probably work out okay if both the player and the DM are okay with it. :smirk: Isn't that how it's supposted to always work anyway? Seriously, most times I've ever seen an "improvement" to the B.S., it's to add +1 caster level instead of the unique spell list. While it's mostly every level (which is WAY overpowered), I think you're method will work out just fine. The main abuse that can be generated with this is being able to cast higher level arcane spells as a free action while in combat. However, topping out at 13th caster level won't cause problems. Normally, if you really push it, you can get that out of a B.S. build anyway (fighter 1 / Wizard 6 / B.S 6 / Wizard +7) by level 20. Oh, and the bonus spell thing is really just gravy. It seems to me you're more worried about that than the +1 caster level, but you needn't be. Giving a wizard 6 bonus spells is hardly worth the trouble. Especially when you consider the limited spell list, and the fact that the wizard may already have a lot of the spells from that list. If it were a sorcerer, I'd be more leery of those bonus spells. But then again they're only 1st through 4th level, so it may not be a big deal. Overall, I'd say to go with it. Remeber, it's a game, err on the side of fun. Cheers Otto :)
Mazarick 09-30-03, 05:38 PM	Hey, thanks a lot for the feedback. Oh, I just realized something. Not bonus spells...bonus spells per day...2 extra 1st, 2nd and 1 extra 3rd, 4th slot, but they have to be bladesinger spells. Donno if that changes your opinion of if that's actually what you thought. Cheers ;)
Otto the Bugbear 09-30-03, 06:32 PM	You're welcome. That is more powerful than bonus spells, but not enough to change my opinion. It should work out okay for a wizard, but for sorcerers I feel it would be too powerful. Cheers Otto :)