Ever since Essentials came out, I have been itching to remake one of my favorite 3.5 classes: the duskblade. And so, here it is. (Here is the PDF version!) As always, PEACH.
A few design notes:
- Variant of the Slayer
- Imbuement powers replace stances
- Strongly influenced by the 3.5 class of the same name
A few points I am concerned on:
- Balance of powers
- Balance of utility power
Swordmage
Using the following rules, you can create a subgroup of swordmage known as a duskblade.
Duskblade
Role: Striker
Power Source: Arcane and Martial
Ability Scores: Strength, Intelligence
Starting Hit Points: 12 + Constitution score
Hit Points per Level Gained: 5
Healing Surges per Day: 6 + Constitution modifier
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide, Chain
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple melee, simple ranged, military axes, military heavy blades
Implement Proficiencies: Weapons with which you are proficient
Trained Skills: Arcana. From the class skills list below, choose three more trained skills at 1st level.
Class Skills: Arcana (Int), Athletics (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Endurance (Con), History (Int), Insight (Wis), Intimidate (Cha)
Heroic Tier
Level 1 --- Swordbond, Arcane Strike, Arcane Attunement, Duskblade Imbue Spells, Power Strike
Level 2 --- Utility Power
Level 3 --- Improved Power Strike
Level 4 --- Ability Score Increase, Energy Substitution
Level 5 --- Mighty Arcane Strike
Level 6 --- Utility Power
Level 7 --- Extra Imbue Spell, Empowered Spell Channeling
Level 8 --- Ability Score Increase
Level 9 --- Combat Readiness
Level 10 --- Utility Power
Level 1: Swordbond
As swordmage, but you can also use an axe in place of a light blade.
Level 1: Arcane Strike
When you hit with an arcane melee attack with a melee weapon, you may deal extra damage equal to your intelligence modifier.
However, you may not learn the Intelligent Blademaster feat.
Level 1: Arcane Atunement
You gain one wizard cantrip of your choice. You may use this cantrip at-will.
Level 1: Power Strike
You gain power strike, which is identical to the Slayer's power. See Essentials.
Level 1: Duskblade Imbue Spells
Choose two swordmage powers with the imbuement keyword. They imbuement keyword does not have any special rules, but instead denotes a group of similar powers that enhance your basic attacks.
Paragon Tier
Level 11 --- Ability Score Increase, Mystic Assault [mythic duskblade], Improved Power Strike [mythic duskblade]
Level 12 --- Quick Cast [mythic duskblade]
Level 13 --- Improved Power Strike
Level 14 --- Ability Score Increase
Level 15 --- Paragon Arcane Strike
Level 16 --- Utility Power, Brutal Slayer [mythic duskblade]
Level 17 --- Extra Imbue Spell
Level 18 --- Ability Score Increase
Level 19 --- Elemental Vortex
Level 20 --- Brutal Focus [mythic duskblade]
Level 13: Improved Power Strike
Identical to the Slayer's feature.
Level 15: Paragon Arcane Strike
The bonus to arcane melee attacks with a melee weapons granted by your Arcane Strike class feature increases to 5 + your intelligence modifier.
Level 16: Utility Power
Choose one level 16 swordmage utility power.
Elemental Barrier Swordmage Utility 16
As seen in Dragon, issue 385
Unerring Perry Swordmage Utility 16
As seen in Arcane Power
Level 17: Extra Imbue Spell
You gain one additional swordmage imbuement spell.
Level 19: Elemental Vortex
You gain resistance to the damage type or types of your active imbuements equal to 10 + your intelligence modifier.
Paragon Path: Mythic Duskblade
Prerequisites
Only duskblades may be mythic duskblades
Level 11: Mystic Assault
When you reduce an enemy to 0 hit points with an arcane melee weapon attack, you gain a bonus to your next arcane melee weapon damage roll before the end of the encounter. The bonus is equal to your intelligence modifier.
Level 11: Improved Power Strike
This feature is identical to the Mythic Slayer feature.
Level 12: Quick Casting
You may use an imbuement power as a free action when you make a melee basic attack.
Level 16: Fearless Slayer
This feature is identical to the Mythic Slayer feature.
Level 20: Brutal Focus
This feature is identical to the Mythic Slayer feature.
Epic Tier
Level 21 --- Ability Score Increase
Level 22 --- Epic Destiny Feature, Utility Power
Level 23 --- Relentless Slayer
Level 24 --- Ability Score Increase, Epic Destiny Feature, Armor Talent
Level 25 --- Epic Arcane Strike
Level 26 --- Epic Destiny Power
Level 27 ---
Level 28 --- Ability Score Increase
Level 29 --- Spirit of War
Level 30 --- Epic Destiny Power
Level 22: Utility Power
You gain one level 22 swordmage utility power
Dual Imbuement Swordmage Utility 22
You channel a second spell, and instead of rebounding one another, they harmonize.
Daily * Arcane, Stance
Minor Action Personal
Effect: You enter the dual imbuement stance. Until the stance ends, you may have two active imbuement spells on the weapon you hold. When you activate a third, you choose which two spells remain active.
Level 23: Relentless Slayer
This feature is identical to the Slayer class feature.
Level 24: Armor Talent
Choose one of the following armor tallents:
Unfettered Slayer: This feature is identical to the Slayer class feature.
Swordmage Warding: This feature is identical to the Swordmage class feature.
Level 25: Epic Arcane Strike
The bonus to arcane melee attacks with a melee weapons granted by your Arcane Strike class feature increases to 8 + your intelligence modifier.
Level 29: Spirit of War
This feature is identical to the Slayer class feature.
Other than that, all good
Very, VERY nicely done. I thoroughly enjoy this class! One suggestion I have: it would be nice to create some fluff based on the 3.5 Duskblade. I'm not seeing any spells from the 3.5 list; it would be a nice final touch to take some of the names and descriptions from the 3.5 list and add them here.
Other than that, all good
I have some low-level stuff, and some class features that are named the same. What spells would you like to see specifically?