Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Alexeia 02-11-07, 08:27 PM	I just got the PH2 last week. I read over the Duskblade class and figured I would give it a go since one of my husbands and I's friend wanted to DM. I got the whole damn thing rolled up and then......... I looked at the spell list. By the book I get 2 zero level spells and 2 1st level spells, plus one exta 0 level spell per INT bonus point I have. (this is for spells known, not spells per day) OK cool....with an 18 INT I get a +4 0 level spells. So I should start with 6 0 level and 2 1st level. Problem is in the PH2 under duskbalde they give you a list of duskblade spells. THEY ONLY HAVE 4 SPELLS TOTAL LISTED UNDER 0 LEVEL SPELLS!!!!!! I should have 6 to pick with my 18 INT. I am so lost. Question is.... My DM and I are both at a loss. He said to pick from the wizard 0 level spell list, but I think that gives my PC an unfair advantage. Has Wizards printed an addition to the spell list that I can not find? How have other PCs and DMs figured this out? Or am I a dork and miss read the book?
chava 02-11-07, 08:30 PM	My DM okayed spells from the wizard list that fit with the Duskblade type of spells.
Siduakal 02-11-07, 08:33 PM	Duskblade don't get many cantrips.. HOWEVER, I do recall them getting a few cantrips from the wizard list per day - I'm almost certain I read that in their stuff they get. Check around, I want to say they get 3 cantrips not on that list.
Alexeia 02-11-07, 08:46 PM	Wow, thanks for the fast answers. I think I am going to have to go with the wizards list, I have ALL the other 3e and 3.5e books and duskblades are only in the PH2 since it was just published. (as far as I can see anyway) As far as the cantrips, Duskblades get a few from the wizards list they can cast 3+ INT Mod per day. But, they do not count as 'spells known' or 'spells per day'. I think it is like a special ability/feat type thingy.
Pandaemoni 02-11-07, 09:50 PM	The answer may be that an 18 Int may not be that useful for a duskblade. In a pooint buy game, better to take a 14, so you get all the cantrips and can drop of of the ability score increases into Int when you're approaching getting 5th level spells. That frees up points to boost your physical stats, since you'll be on the front lines a lot.
theotherdraxen 02-11-07, 09:55 PM	Any reason you can't switch out that 18 int for something lower? As Pandaemoni said, a 14 is all a duskblade needs. Your spells are generally about damage and not about saves, IIRC. What are your stats? I'm sure there's a better place for that 18 than int. By switching it out for a 14-15, you will solve your problem and make your character more powerful (possibly).
ppirilla 02-11-07, 10:24 PM	What are your stats? I'm sure there's a better place for that 18 than int. By switching it out for a 14-15, you will solve your problem and make your character more powerful (possibly). Third this. I've run a duskblade before; his STR and DEX were both higher than his INT, and that worked quite well for me.
Siduakal 02-11-07, 10:50 PM	I also have to agree with that.. Not many save or die spells in their list, really. A high Strength, Con, and Dex can rock. Though if you're on a roll system and got good rolls, it never hurts to have more skill points. Generally, on a point buy of 32.. I'd do 14 Int as the Duskblade. Though, you have to play it. If it fits the flavor, go with the stats ya want. =P
The Livewire 02-11-07, 10:59 PM	I go for the skill points myself. That said, yeah 14's the way to go. As for an 18 int, no matter how you get it, yeah, you're kind of humped on cantrips. Ask you DM about picking up a couple from the Spell Compendium. I myself prefer Caltrops if you can get it.
Mitchell 02-11-07, 11:53 PM	I have my PHB II out on loan right now, so I could be off-base here, but are you looking at the right list? The list on page 24 (I think) is the complete list. The one referred to in the text is only a list of the new spells.
The_Undertaker 02-12-07, 12:05 AM	On page 24 down on the bottem it gives you the list wanna know the funny thing you only get 4 0 level spells. Ray of Defrost,acid spalsh,touch of fatigue, and disrupt undead.
LordBOB777 02-12-07, 01:11 AM	Isnt there 2 spell lists for the Duskblade in PHBII?
Saytr 02-12-07, 01:17 AM	I can't possibly imagine 2 0-level spells breaking a character. Does it really matter that much?
Alexeia 02-12-07, 11:19 AM	Thanks again guys for the quick answers. The two 0 level spells probably won't matter that much. I just wanted to see what others did to solve this 'problem' or if I read the book wrong. Duskblades do get a list of 'duskblade' spells on one page. However, the list of spells to chose from includes those spells plus others from the wizard list on another page. I never really thought of changing my stats, that is a pretty good idea. So what do you guys think. start at level 3 16 STR, 17 DEX (added 2 for race) 14 CON (took off 2 for race) 18 INT 16 WIS 12 CHR I rolled really really well on this PC, plus my DM does a funky roll system so everyone got high stats. In addition to the above stats my DM started everyone out with one magic item from the minors table. I just happened to get the book of body knowledge +5. So I am not sure if he will let me change stuff around after I got a magic item that effects stats. I could just change INT and STR and that would give me another +1 on STR stuffs, but would also take away much needed skill points. My DM is kinda one for rolling checks on EVERYTHING. I am really not sure if that would matter or not. My group and I are just starting a 3.5e adventure for the first time. For the last year we played 2e.......yes 2e. My husband had all the 2e books from college and we did not want to spend the monies on 3e and 3.5e books. So as you can probably tell I am still stuck on the old THAC0 system and I am not sure how much that +1 really matters in 3.5e. If anyone also has advice from going from 2e to 3.5e that would be great too:)
Alastor_Sevryn 02-12-07, 01:49 PM	I use duskblades all the time for my campaigns, and i agree you're better off with the 14 for int. When I do play one, the only spells I ever use are blade of blood, true strike, bigby's tripping hand, and kelgore's fire bolt. Also, you did mention that you automatically get detect magic, flare, dancing lights, ghost sound, and something else as spell-like abilities, which are normally lv 0 spells for sorcs and wizards, so that's why duskblades don't get many cantrips sorry, no advice for going from 2 to 3.5...3.5 is where I started...
Alexeia 02-12-07, 05:34 PM	I just talked to my DM to ask if I could change INT and STR around. He said I just couldnt change around my CON. What all of you had to say really helped me figure this PC out. This is a great place to post!!!!! thanks again
Siduakal 02-12-07, 07:54 PM	See if you can swap the Dex score. You got +2 from race, so it was only a 15. Swap that with the 18.. Now you have 15 Intelligence and 20 Dexterity
Hariman 02-21-07, 08:49 PM	I think the "spell like ability cantrips" should just be ON THE SPELL LIST. It just makes so much more sense to me that way. Why add spell like abilities when the class is a SPELLCASTER?! So that would add a few decent choices. Other than that, ask your DM if he'll allow the "Spell Like Cantrips" to just be on the spell list.
risner 02-22-07, 01:08 AM	Just to reinforce the info, the Duskblade doesn't get many 0th level spells and it is designed to max out on 0th level spells quickly. If you add Wizard 0th spells not already on the DB spell list, you are house ruling a boost that wasn't designed. That may not spell the end of the world, but is is beyond their intent. I also second the advise to swap your INT with some other useful stat.
Devlonir 02-22-07, 03:05 AM	I do not agree with swapping INT with any of your other stats. for DEX, 16-17 is all you need. Mithral fullplate is your best friend! Sure people are right about the lvl 1-2 spells that they dont require saves. But from lvl 3 you get all kinds of useful tactical spells like dimension hop and halt (I just love combining halt with the cleric's blade barrier and dimension hop with a cliff) as well as a save-or-get-enough-damage-to-die spell Disintigrate. But, these are all low level spells. so your save DC is 10+int mod+spell level. For your strongest spells, if you have just 14 int, that means your save DC is 17! Most enemies at the level you are at when you get it save that on a 5+... Int is your most important stat followed by Dex.. All other stats are dump stats except Con (d8 hp kinda sucks for a front liner) Oh and also, you get bonus spells for your other level spells as well.. so a +4 int means a bonus spell on lvl 1, lvl 2, lvl 3 and lvl 4 (when you are high enough level to cast those spells of course) So Int is always useful!