Battle Sorcerer, Swiftblade - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Battle Sorcerer, Swiftblade

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
darth_versity
Nov 13, 2010 16:44:53 Im looking to make a melee focused swiftblade. It'll probably look like this

Silverbrow Human
Sorcerer 6/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4

I'll be using the Stalwart Sorcerer variant from complete mage, but what i'm wondering is whether to take the Battle Sorcerer variant from unearthed arcana.

I know that generally speaking Battle Sorcerers are inferior, but for a more melee build with some minor buffing are the benefits wirth the loses?
#2
cru
Nov 14, 2010 0:57:33 afaik you could even combine both variants
#3
lormador
Nov 14, 2010 7:27:32 Battle Sorcerer is much maligned, but it has some fans. What it really has going for it is the ability to take Arcane Strike at 6th level, so you can Power Attack / Wraithstrike / Arcane Strike as early as possible. If you're starting at 9th or higher, there's no reason to play Battle Sorcerer.

The better gish is a Pouncing Barbarian / Wizard (Abupt Jaunt and Martial Variant) / PrC. The only problem is you can't take Arcane Strike until a bit later, and that's a fun feat.
#4
darth_versity
Nov 14, 2010 8:43:48 I currently plan on taking both variants as we'll be starting at lvl 3 and it needs to be playable at all levels.

I'm just not sure if battle sorcerer is worth it over the full life of the character

Pros:
+12 hp (on average)
Cast in Light Armor
Proficiency with a 1-handed martial weapon
+1 BAB

Cons:
-1 spell known of each level
-1 spell per day of each level

I'll only reach lvl 8 spells, and even then only at lvl 20, but its clear the benefits are not worth the cons, however, at lower levels the benefits are more useful and will help survivablity.

Its really a question of, should i take the extra benefit now which will hinder me in later play, or should i prepare now for the later levels but increase the risk of not reaching them
#5
lormador
Nov 15, 2010 20:11:15 Don't blame Battle Sorcerer for your lost caster levels! Swiftblade does that to you, not Battle Sorcerer.

If you're starting at 3rd, I certainly advise Battle Sorcerer. It'll get you Arcane Strike as soon as possible, and qualify you for Abjurant Champion as soon as possible. If you put off cool features until later, you might just find yourself with a sheet that could have been awesome if the game hadn't ended prematurely.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 darth_versity Nov 13, 2010 16:44:53	Im looking to make a melee focused swiftblade. It'll probably look like this Silverbrow Human Sorcerer 6/ Swiftblade 10/ Abjurant Champion 4 I'll be using the Stalwart Sorcerer variant from complete mage, but what i'm wondering is whether to take the Battle Sorcerer variant from unearthed arcana. I know that generally speaking Battle Sorcerers are inferior, but for a more melee build with some minor buffing are the benefits wirth the loses?
#2 cru Nov 14, 2010 0:57:33	afaik you could even combine both variants
#3 lormador Nov 14, 2010 7:27:32	Battle Sorcerer is much maligned, but it has some fans. What it really has going for it is the ability to take Arcane Strike at 6th level, so you can Power Attack / Wraithstrike / Arcane Strike as early as possible. If you're starting at 9th or higher, there's no reason to play Battle Sorcerer. The better gish is a Pouncing Barbarian / Wizard (Abupt Jaunt and Martial Variant) / PrC. The only problem is you can't take Arcane Strike until a bit later, and that's a fun feat.
#4 darth_versity Nov 14, 2010 8:43:48	I currently plan on taking both variants as we'll be starting at lvl 3 and it needs to be playable at all levels. I'm just not sure if battle sorcerer is worth it over the full life of the character Pros: +12 hp (on average) Cast in Light Armor Proficiency with a 1-handed martial weapon +1 BAB Cons: -1 spell known of each level -1 spell per day of each level I'll only reach lvl 8 spells, and even then only at lvl 20, but its clear the benefits are not worth the cons, however, at lower levels the benefits are more useful and will help survivablity. Its really a question of, should i take the extra benefit now which will hinder me in later play, or should i prepare now for the later levels but increase the risk of not reaching them
#5 lormador Nov 15, 2010 20:11:15	Don't blame Battle Sorcerer for your lost caster levels! Swiftblade does that to you, not Battle Sorcerer. If you're starting at 3rd, I certainly advise Battle Sorcerer. It'll get you Arcane Strike as soon as possible, and qualify you for Abjurant Champion as soon as possible. If you put off cool features until later, you might just find yourself with a sheet that could have been awesome if the game hadn't ended prematurely.