Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 teneberousrex Jan 31, 2010 11:40:58	What woukld you like to see in arcane power 2 when it comes out? Here are some ideas that would interest me... 1. A dual-wielding or implement+weapon wielding swordmage. After seeing the picture of the dragon born swordmage on pg.68 of arcane power (sword of assault PP) i've wanted to make a swordmage that based off of that. Possibly with their attacks being seperated into one attack roll doin a "magical" effect while the other gives a skilled sword thrust. 2. Possibly an illusionist/mind affecting swordmage who is more about decieving and distracting their foe than burning them or blasting. probably using int/cha as its primary/secondary stat sets. 3. I already allow /weapon/mages in the games i run so i don't really need to see that as a feat but if wizards has some neat ideas i wouldn't be opposed. 4. Warlocks. I believe there has already been a few requests for alternate at wills for the currrent pacts and i believe this would be well recieved so here's another vote for that *harumphs and raises hand*. 5.I think that it would be very cool to have a small feat line dealing with the teachings of the Anamatheum of Bael Turath. Specifically the first feat allowing tieflings to use their cha instead of con for warlock powers that have an Infernal pact "kicker". If wizards wanted to opent eh gates a little more to say any warlock power that would further open options for tiefling warlocks of the vestige and star types as well. I'm not sure what the paragon and epic tier feats for this line would do but a paragon path that was tiefling/warlock specific and maybe an epic destiny would be neat. (these latter ideas do not have to be exclusively for arcane power 2, they could be for the tiefling book or future dragon articles but anyway i would like to see them). 6. I like the idea of more balefully enchanted weapons for warlocks, ie things similar to a pact blade but more specific, maybe light blades that have some sort of benefit aimed towards the dark/fey pacts and heavyblades/axes/maces for infernal etc. Anybody else have ideas or comments about what they would like to see for arcane power 2 or for the arcane power source in general?
#2 Marandahir Jan 31, 2010 12:10:50	If you ask my opinion, the Ensnaring Swordmage is already a distracting, deceptive swordmage, using more psychic powers and using flashy sword techniques to draw enemies closer for the kill. I don't think that there should be Charisma Infernalocks, but the Sorcerer-King Warlock (a Cha-lock) might alleviate some of that, having powers somewhat similar to Infernalocks, or somewhere between them and Darklocks.  That said, I am a bit upset about no optimal or even advantaged Tiefling Infernalocks, and for that reason, have houseruled them as either Int/Con or Int/Cha depending on choices, and adapting the racial features depending the choice.  However, I would like some sort of support in that way.  I don't know how'd they do it, but your proposed method seems unbalanced in favour of Tieflings.  Granted, y way is also unbalanced; look at the sheer number of optimal and advantaged builds for Changelings.  They have twice as many as any other race, and Dex/Cha and Int/Cha are both popular build combinations. I'd love to see a Bard build that really takes the "use a musical instrument" concept further.  It was explored in the second Class Acts: Bard article, and I really liked that.  On that note, I'd love to see more musical instruments, as well as more bard-focused wands, songblades, and songbows. I want to see a fourth Artificer build.  I'm not sure how it would work yet though.  I also think they should republish Warrior Forge Artificers in AP2, because they had only half the number of powers as other builds do, and I feel that it's important to have a larger demographic with builds like this.  I want to see a Genie-Pact Warlock.  That is, a Warlock who makes wishes to Djinn or Efreet.  I dunno what they'd call it, since they (smartly) dropped the Genie group that includes Djinn, Efreet, Marids, Dao, Jann, whatnot.  Dao should be on their way, but I'm glad their not all considered one type of monster.  But still, I want a Pact made to draw power from them.  It's not like a Chaos Sorcerer, because its not as much drawing from the chaotic energies of the Plane Below, but rather from the few orderly forms that make sense of it, and forms that can "grant wishes" as well.  It makes SO much sense. I could also see a Marut Pact, since they make "Compacts" in exchange for future favours.  That pact would have more astral and wind-based flavours. I want to see an Enchanter Wizard build.  There's a couple powers that fit into it already, from the second Class Acts: Wizards article, but I want to see this go farther.  Really play up Charms and Psychic powers.  Not so much Illusion though.  We already have an Illusionist.  Instead, focus on enchanting through charms.  Could use a wand as it's implement, which would be fun (a different take on using a Wand, but hey, Control Wizards and Illusionist Wizards both use Orbs).  I want a build focused on using the Staff of Defence.  That means another Int/Con build for the Wizard.  I'm not sure how'd it work.  The Abjuror Wizard always fealt more leaderish or defenderish than the other builds, but maybe it could be done. For Sorcerers, I want to see a build drawn from the madness of the Far Realm.  You might think it's too similar to Cosmic Sorcerer or Star Pact Warlock, but both emphasise fear and radiant and cold and fire and psychic powers, dealing with the power of nature's cycles and the fear of what's beyond nature.  I want a Sorcerer who directly draws power from the beyond, not from observing it and making pacts with the stars, but someone who was tainted by a foul curse (like with Foulspawn) and has powers that do things like create slimy tentacles or turn your body in a mass of eyeballs or something.  It could be a lot of fun (and absolute madness, which is just what the Sorcerer should be). Back to Swordmage, I want another Strength build… but I'm not sure what it would be.  Maybe the opposite of the Shielding build (they attack your allies, so you get stronger).
#3 Omnirahk_half-Rahkshi Jan 31, 2010 12:29:24	I second the illusionist swordmage build. Currently I just play an assault swordmage, reflavoring the teleport as "I was never really there" and use it mainly to 'port into flanking positions for combat advantage. And glamor blade is just awesome. The swordmage needs more of that. And I'd also like a "TWFing" swordmage that casts implement-style spell in one hand before making a secondary attack with the first. It's something my favored illusionist bladecaster-type does a fair bit of. It's an image I've had since first hearing about the gish concept, and I've never been able to do it properly. I think the general structure would be: Attack 1... blah... Effect: make a secondary attack. If you hit with the primary attack, you have combat advantage. Or Effect: make a secondary attack. If the primary attack hit, the secondary attack deals extra damage. Alternate warlock at-wills is a neat idea. And more singing bards! EDIT: Also, give wizards a chance to be a secondary leader.  Or maybe ways to make an artificer feel more like a wizard, if you so choose.  I remember fondly 3.5 wizards having the option to specialize in party buffs.  Bring that back.  Probably just as utility powers.  Wizards get stoneskin.  Bring back more things like that.  Also, I'd kind of like to see Tesner's Transformation.
#4 Omnirahk_half-Rahkshi Feb 02, 2010 10:47:28	You know what?  I'd also like to see some infernal-pact summons.  Currently only controllers and leaders get to summon creatures.  But infernal pact warlocks really ought to be able to summon the forces of Hell.
#5 Awesomologist Feb 02, 2010 13:27:38	I can totally see a Dual Weapon/Implement Swordmage as the second Str/Int build. However since it's a defender I don't necessarily want to see multi-attack cheese. I figure the off-hand weapon/implement should be low on the damage end (d6-d8) but higher on control effects. Figure Light Blades, Tomes, and Wands would be great off-hand items. As for the Aegis, the interrupt could vary by the implement wielded in the off-hand. Perhaps Wands induce an effect (Slow, Immobilize, Daze?), Tomes grant Temp HP or resistance, and Light Blade extends your Aegis bonus against the triggering attack. As long as the damage is kept on the low end and the focus is on control/defending I think this build could work. I don't want to see some Arcane Ranger/Tempest Fighter, although if it is  Str/Int you can still have the option of picking up some fighter and ranger powers.
#6 Mist-Bound Feb 02, 2010 14:51:28	Dual and/or great-weapon "paths" for the Swordmage would be a dream. And chalk me up as part of the "alternate Pact At-Wills for Warlocks" - at the very least, give us some more 'generic' At-Wills, like Eldritch Strike. Non-human Warlocks are are the most pigeonholed of any class, as both of their At-Wills are determined by their Pact, while humans tend to have a hard time staying in 'theme' as their third At-Will has to come from a different Pact entirely. I'd also really like a "technomancer" themed build/set of powers for the Artificer. The current version focuses more on just plain item enchantment, which I like, but I really have a fondness for the magitek wielding arcano-engineer, and that's not really a valid build for the Artificer just yet. Warlock summons would be interesting, if only to see how they'd pull it off. Some Class Specific Epic Destinies for the other Arcane Classes would really be welcome; there's maybe one each for the Bard and Swordmage, possibly one for the Sorcerer, and pretty much all of the others are either pure Wizard or heavily themed towards Wizard. I'd particularly like Pact and Spell Source-emphasizing Epic Destinies for the Warlock and Sorcerer - the Radiant One (or whatever it's called) for the Star Pact already exists, so why nothing for Dark, Fey, Infernal or Vestige? Why no ability for an Epic Sorcerer to become a dragon, or an elemental being (particularlly seeing as how the Chaos Sorcerer has an elemental themed Paragon Path), or whatever? More elemental powers for the Chaos Magic Sorcerer would also be nice - at the very least, some At-Wills. For a (sub)class that's heavily implied to have bonds to the Elemental Chaos, they really have a large amount of mind-**** powers. Even their at-will is psychic damage! A feat that allows a Chaos Sorcerer to choose (or at least reroll) to determine their daily manifestation would be greatly appreciated as well.
#7 jedi123 Feb 02, 2010 21:22:58	Dual Swordmage- approved more warlock at-wills - approved Anything artificer related- approved I want to see something that plays up that staff implements can be used as quarterstaff weapons. THis can even tie into a build to support the Staff of defence wizard, but would prefer something more general. Kind of like the sorcer's who can use daggers to cast spells in mele More familiars, always love familiars. Perhaps more powers like from that one dragon issue.
#8 Duke5150 Feb 02, 2010 21:29:52	Dual Swordmage- approved more warlock at-wills - approved Anything artificer related- approved I want to see something that plays up that staff implements can be used as quarterstaff weapons. THis can even tie into a build to support the Staff of defence wizard, but would prefer something more general. Kind of like the sorcer's who can use daggers to cast spells in mele More familiars, always love familiars. Perhaps more powers like from that one dragon issue. The bolded part made me think of family guy. Gave me a laugh, thanks!
#9 Chameleon-X Feb 03, 2010 8:25:49	I homebrewed a TWF Swordmage and some other stuff here: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758... Some of the powers are Weapon/Implement powers, and I can always make more.
#10 Omni-Wyvernil Feb 03, 2010 8:58:32	Possibilities for Arcane Power II: Warlock Seconding alternate at-will choices for existing pacts. As for new pacts: Death Pact: A pact with a necromantic flavor, focusing on necrotic attacks and life-draining abilities. Perhaps even some minor summoning abilities. Elemental/Primordial Pact: Grants the warlock a varying amount of elemental abilities. Sorcerer Transmutation Sorcerer: A link to the Elemental Chaos or the Far Realm allows the sorcerer to shape his body into different forms to attack his enemies. Would allow for a more 'gish'-oriented sorcerer build. Bard Virtue of Grace: Since one of the bard's hats is versatility, it would make sense for the class to have a wide variety of secondary modifiers. Thus, a build with a DEX secondary would help to fill out the class (and allow for good synergy with rogue multiclassing). The DEX bard would fill the 'blade dancer' archetype, with a focus on mobility and buffs. Artificer Don't have much experience with the artificer, so I'm not sure what it needs. It will probably recieve at least two new builds, since it wasn't available in the first Arcane Power guide. Swordmage A two-weapon/implement swordmage sounds like a good idea, and might help to make the class more versatile. Wizard Not sure what wizard builds are left to add from earlier editions. Abjuration seems more like a schtick for a Leader class, and Enchantment is mostly psionic now. The Necromancer would probably work better as its own class (when the Shadow power source is released) rather than a wizard build. Maybe a transmutation/polymorph build which lets the Wizard modify terrain and enemies would work, but that might be reserved for the Elemental source (though we have no idea what the source actually does at this point). Maybe wizards will get additional implement focuses for added versatility. Overall, a bunch of new arcane rituals might be a good thing to add. Never can have too many of those. Also seconding epic destinies that fit the less wizardly classes like warlocks or sorcerers.
#11 Marandahir Feb 03, 2010 12:30:44	Don't forget that at the very least, Wizards and Warlocks are each getting a new build at the end of this calendar year.
#12 novatack Feb 03, 2010 19:18:40	Warlocks -An Efreet pact and/or Djnn pact sound very cool (though I'm leaning towards Djnn, because the Efreet Pact may end up seeming too close to the Infernal Pact). -Second at-wills would also be appreciated (including an at-will/at-wills that could replace Eldritch Blast (I know there's Eldritch Strike, but I'd like to see some more variation)). -A feat for Star pact Warlocks to choose either Charisma or Constitution for their powers- their triple-attribute dependancy desperately needs to be fixed. -Possibly some more melee powers, to compliment Eldritch Strike. Sorcerers -A Far Realm power source sounds cool. I could definately see the Sorcerers doing the whole "sprout random tentacles, grow spines, etc, for a quick attack" schtick. Swordmages - I dunno about dual-wielding. The whole purpose for dual-wielding in most other melee classes is to enable attacks that target multiple enemies, but Swordmages already get plenty of bursts and blasts (including a close burst at-will). Wizards -More summons. I'd like to be able to pick my summons at every level, instead of having to take the only one that's been given to us. Bard -Virtues for other ability scores (since that would help the whole "versatile/multiclass" thing). I could see a Str Virtue that gives a damage boost and focuses on warriors of legendary strength (giving them the ability to shake off debilitating wounds, enable powerful strikes that punch through armor, etc). -More music powers. In fact, I could see a hymn/choir singer as Paragon Path for Bards multiclassed into a Divine class.
#13 Marandahir Feb 03, 2010 19:55:17	(snip) Bard -Virtues for other ability scores (since that would help the whole "versatile/multiclass" thing). I could see a Str Virtue that gives a damage boost and focuses on warriors of legendary strength (giving them the ability to shake off debilitating wounds, enable powerful strikes that punch through armor, etc). -More music powers. In fact, I could see a hymn/choir singer as Paragon Path for Bards multiclassed into a Divine class. Blessed Psalmist?
#14 jedi123 Feb 03, 2010 21:47:37	I'm liking the idea of expanding a bards secondaries to play up the various multiclass options. I'm hoping that we'll be getting to PP's fro psionic and shadow multiclassing, like the one from the class acts bards about similar stuff. If they continue this it will mean the ultimately any +Cha race will make a good bard somewhere. So we have str, int, wis. So any ideas for dex or con based?
#15 Marandahir Feb 03, 2010 21:59:47	I'm liking the idea of expanding a bards secondaries to play up the various multiclass options. I'm hoping that we'll be getting to PP's fro psionic and shadow multiclassing, like the one from the class acts bards about similar stuff. If they continue this it will mean the ultimately any +Cha race will make a good bard somewhere. So we have str, int, wis. So any ideas for dex or con based? No, we don't have a Cha/Str build.  Valorous Bards are Cha/Con, perfect for Half-Elves (and Hobgoblins, if you play them). Str and Dex are the missing scores. I like this "Virtue of Grace" that someone proposed for a Cha/Dex build.  It would be more swashbuckling than the other bardic builds (you do dashing things and move fancily and with tact; more of a dancer than a singer).
#16 jedi123 Feb 03, 2010 22:17:19	I'm liking the idea of expanding a bards secondaries to play up the various multiclass options. I'm hoping that we'll be getting to PP's fro psionic and shadow multiclassing, like the one from the class acts bards about similar stuff. If they continue this it will mean the ultimately any +Cha race will make a good bard somewhere. So we have str, int, wis. So any ideas for dex or con based? No, we don't have a Cha/Str build.  Valorous Bards are Cha/Con, perfect for Half-Elves (and Hobgoblins, if you play them). Str and Dex are the missing scores. I like this "Virtue of Grace" that someone proposed for a Cha/Dex build.  It would be more swashbuckling than the other bardic builds (you do dashing things and move fancily and with tact; more of a dancer than a singer). Right my bad. And that does sound like a good idea, so then what about str/cha. Virtue of Power, perhaps a two handed weapon build? Virtue of Honor? Making your opponent play by the rules. anyone else got anything?
#17 Lord_Ventnor Feb 04, 2010 3:16:49	Virtue of Power, perhaps? Focusing on the legendary heroes of old who brute-forced the gods and such. I'm liking Novatack's idea that it focuses on increasing battle strength and punching through defenses, because that sounds like something a Dragonborn would do (and if this build was created, it would be a build favored by Dragonborn).
#18 ah_stormbringer Feb 04, 2010 5:14:41	For warlocks I would like to see a summoning build. They could use simular rules as rangers for there minions. Give the player three or 4 different types of minions to choose from. That would be fun to play. to get the minon they could sacrifice one or more of there normal abilities like the ranger does.