Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mr_industrialpants Dec 07, 2008 8:07:53	Marucs Greycastle II The Greycastle family name has been a well known and noble family name in the North for generations. They are more know however for their college of mages in Silverymoon, training would be defenders of the League of Silver Marches in the arts of magic and warfare. Many great warriors, including others with the Greycastle name, have went on to become adventurers, members of the Knights in Silver, or also great heroes in their own right. Most of them are Wizards, Fighters with some magic ability, or even Swordmages (most are commonly Swordmages in the post-Spellplague era) in the service of Mystra or Azuth during the pre-spellplague era. Marcus Greycastle II, a descendent of Marcus I (who died in The Battle of Many Arrows in 1385) is an adventurer whose family moved to Cormyr before he was born. His father, Randal Greycastle, along with the War Wizards of Cormyr helped train the current generation of the defenders of the crown in the art of the Swordmage. When Marcus II neared adulthood he was drawn to the worship of Tempus, and joined their clergy upon reaching adulthood. Currently he is an adventurer, using his skill as a Swordmage, rooting out those who would do harm to Cormyr. While not as kind hearted as his namesake he does stand fast in battle and helps defend his companions from their foes. More mercenary than knight Marcus II is just as determined and capable than any decorated warrior from any kingdom. (I have not been able to find a human wielding a 1 handed weapon and wearing hide, so suggestions are open for mini change) Vitals: Race: Human Gender: Male Class: Swordmage (Assault) Level: 6 Alignment: Unaligned Diety: Tempus Region: Cormyr Stats: Str 13 Con 14 Dex 14 Int 19 Wis 12 Cha 8 HP: 64 Initiative: +5 Defenses: AC: 25 Fort: 18 Ref: 20 Will: 19 started with Stats: Str 13 Con 14 Dex 13 Int 18 (16 base, +2 for human) Wis 12 Cha 8
#2 darkschneiderba Dec 07, 2008 8:27:00	It may be just me but there's not a lot of reason to use Charisma as a dump stat on a swordmage with Intelligent Blademaster. Only one of your powers gets anything extra out of having that +1 in Strength, and while there are a few attacks throughout that do benefit, there's always going to be a choice that doesn't suffer from the lack of Strength. Mind you I'm as always biased towards combining efficiency outside of combat, and as you've built him he's taking a -1 on four skills--anything social and you're going to be suffering. Compare that to the -1 on Athletics (that you'd offset by training, to a degree) and the one power choice you'd lose one damage from out of your current list. Is he an assault swordmage or shielding? I assume from the weapon choice that you've gone for assault. Action Surge isn't a bad feat choice at all. Swordmages multiclass with wizards quite well; apart from the skill training part being worthless anyway. Thunderwave is a fun little addition to the arsenal. It may just be me, but I don't see a lot of point to taking Ritual Caster in LFR. Component costs combined with very few opportunities to profitably use rituals so far leaves it feeling like a less than optimal feat selection for anything that doesn't start with it. If you're playing an assault swordmage, you might consider improved initiative as a better option, though I'm sure even that's not the ideal choice.
#3 mr_industrialpants Dec 07, 2008 8:51:19	Well the reason I use Charisma as a dump stat is I'm not playing him as very sociable (except for those he is in the party with). Most of the time someone else at the table has the social skills nailed down (even the Fighter might have a better Streetwise than I do). I'm definitely looking at Improved Initiative (possibly at 8th).
#4 mr_industrialpants Jan 27, 2009 17:06:52	I'm thinking of dropping Warrior of the Wild for Arcane Initiate, and then picking up Acolyte Power for Shield by 10th (maybe even getting it at 8th). Would using 2 feat slots for an encounter utility power be good at the cost of a useful skill or should I stay with what I have and add Weapon Focus instead?
#5 rexracerjr Jan 28, 2009 18:05:43	Yes!, but drop toughness for NPS so you can grab shocking sphere or lightning bolt.
#6 mr_industrialpants Jan 29, 2009 18:19:19	Yes!, but drop toughness for NPS so you can grab shocking sphere or lightning bolt. I like Toughness but I guess I could look into it. With the CCG v1.8 out I could drop it and change to a Shielding Swordmage (as opposed to Assault).
#7 ferol_debtor_of_torm Jan 29, 2009 18:23:27	I like Toughness but I guess I could look into it. With the CCG v1.8 out I could drop it and change to a Shielding Swordmage (as opposed to Assault). That would be the first step towards making this character better.