Gish, Illumian Aeshkrau Swiftblade? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Gish, Illumian Aeshkrau Swiftblade?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
axator
May 25, 2009 14:04:16 Hey there

My friends and I are currently playing a very difficult campaign and, unfortunately, we have a habbit of dying alot. Now, my character has yet to die, but considering the rate at which the rest of the party is dying off, I have decided to make a backup character just in case.

My current PC is an Ultimate Magus, and should he die, we would be without a battlefield controller, so my backup character would have to fill that role aswell. Unfortunately our glass canon rogue died recently, and was replaced by an unoptimized spontanious druid, who is unable to deal anywhere near the same levels of damage the rogue could.. yet at least. So, in short, I want my backup to be able to deal respectable damage and be a respectable BC'er.

To accomplish this I was thinking of making a gish character. This is what I had in mind:

Domain Wizard (Transmutation domain) 6 / Swiftblade 9 / Abjurant Champion 5

I really like the swiftblade PrC so I'm pretty sure I'll stick with that. For race I was thinking either Human or Illumian with the Aesh & Krau Power Sigils to reduce MAD; Am I correct in assuming the Aeshkrau combined power would allow me dump Int fairly low and instead buff Str and use that as my caster stat?

We are allowed to use a 28 point buy system for stats or roll 3 sets of 6 stats using 4 dice and discarding the lowest dice and then choosing the best set. Using a 28 point buy I was thinking something like this...

Str 16
Dex 14
Con 15
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 8

... If the Aeshkrau sigils would allow me to dump Int. Otherwise I think I would go with something like this...

Str 14
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 16
Wis 8
Cha 8

Also, I think I'm going to go with fighter bonus feats instead of scribe scroll and the wizard bonus feat, taking Improved Initiative and Power Attack.

(Human) Don't know.. Able Learner perhaps?
1 Wizard 1 B: Improved Initiave, Dodge
2 Wizard 2
3 Wizard 3 Mobility
4 Wizard 4
5 Wizard 5 B: Power Attack
6 Wizard 6 Practiced Spellcaster
7 Swiftblade 1 B: Spring Attack
8 Swiftblade 2
9 Swiftblade 3 Arcane Strike
10 Swiftblade 4
11 Swiftblade 5
12 Swiftblade 6 xxx
13 Swiftblade 7 B: Bounding Assault
14 Swiftblade 8
15 Swiftblade 9 Combat Casting
16 Abjurant Champion 1
17 Abjurant Champion 2
18 Abjurant Champion 3 xxx
19 Abjurant Champion 4
20 Abjurant Champion 5

Do you guys have any ideas for the 2 open feats?

EDIT: Sorry guys, forgot to mention my DM allowed me to take Martial Weapon Proficiency (Heavy Flail) instead of my familiar; it'll go well with Greater Mighty Wallop. I know, I know, probably not a good trade off, but I'm not really into familiars, and for the background I'm planning for this guy a familiar wouldn't really fit in either.

Thanks, Ax.
#2
ninjarabbit
May 25, 2009 20:50:11 Unless I'm missing something you'll need to spend a feat on a martial weapon proficency to qualify for swiftblade and abjurant champion.

Beyond that I think quicken spell is pretty much a must and maybe a reserve feat like minor shapeshift.
#3
kinie
May 25, 2009 23:06:14 I'd recommend grabbing a Sorcerer variant (Stalwart is a good one) instead of being a Wizard to get around the "martial weapon prof." requirement and have more HP in battle since you'll be bouncing around a lot. You "lose" the wizard bonus feat and 9th level but gain Weapon Focus for your martial weapon if you take Stalwart AND get the Cleric BAB.

There might be a wizard variant that grants a martial weapon proficiency for one weapon and no ASF if wearing light armor, but I don't remember what book it'd be in.

You can get around the whole "lack of utility" complaint with Runestaffs or Knowstones.

Humans make a nice Swiftblade, as does an Illumian thanks to Sigils. You are right in how you read the Aeshkrau sigil combo; Str. does replace your "normal" casting stat.

Some recommendations for those free feats include Quicken Spell, Extend Spell and Eschew Materials.
#4
CantripN
May 26, 2009 2:42:08 Minor Shapeshift is good, but by 20th, you'll be able to Persist spells with your real slots, so why not do that?

Good open slots, too. Extend is always good, while Persistant is only very good at 16th or so if you have to pay for it. Persistant Wraithstrike is quite legitimate if you pay for it.
#5
axator
May 26, 2009 6:04:15 Sorry guys, forgot to mention my DM allowed me to take Martial Weapon Proficiency (Heavy Flail) instead of my familiar; it'll go well with Greater Mighty Wallop. I know, I know, probably not a good trade off, but I'm not really into familiars, and for the background I'm planning for this guy a familiar wouldn't really fit in either.

Great ideas for the feats guys. 24h Wraithstrike is actually one of the few 2nd level spells I would consider taking in an 8th level slot, so Extend Spell and Persistant Spell are in I think.

I have considered making him a Stalwart Sorcerer instead, but losing 9th level spells and two feats is too much of a hit In my opinion.
#6
telehax
May 26, 2009 11:16:30 Aeshkrau doesn't make your casting stat Strength. Just the number of bonus spells.
#7
CantripN
May 26, 2009 11:18:43
Aeshkrau doesn't make your casting stat Strength. Just the number of bonus spells.

He's a Gish, so that's not really an issue, so long as he has 19 INT with items.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 axator May 25, 2009 14:04:16	Hey there My friends and I are currently playing a very difficult campaign and, unfortunately, we have a habbit of dying alot. Now, my character has yet to die, but considering the rate at which the rest of the party is dying off, I have decided to make a backup character just in case. My current PC is an Ultimate Magus, and should he die, we would be without a battlefield controller, so my backup character would have to fill that role aswell. Unfortunately our glass canon rogue died recently, and was replaced by an unoptimized spontanious druid, who is unable to deal anywhere near the same levels of damage the rogue could.. yet at least. So, in short, I want my backup to be able to deal respectable damage and be a respectable BC'er. To accomplish this I was thinking of making a gish character. This is what I had in mind: Domain Wizard (Transmutation domain) 6 / Swiftblade 9 / Abjurant Champion 5 I really like the swiftblade PrC so I'm pretty sure I'll stick with that. For race I was thinking either Human or Illumian with the Aesh & Krau Power Sigils to reduce MAD; Am I correct in assuming the Aeshkrau combined power would allow me dump Int fairly low and instead buff Str and use that as my caster stat? We are allowed to use a 28 point buy system for stats or roll 3 sets of 6 stats using 4 dice and discarding the lowest dice and then choosing the best set. Using a 28 point buy I was thinking something like this... Str 16 Dex 14 Con 15 Int 12 Wis 8 Cha 8 ... If the Aeshkrau sigils would allow me to dump Int. Otherwise I think I would go with something like this... Str 14 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 16 Wis 8 Cha 8 Also, I think I'm going to go with fighter bonus feats instead of scribe scroll and the wizard bonus feat, taking Improved Initiative and Power Attack. (Human) Don't know.. Able Learner perhaps? 1 Wizard 1 B: Improved Initiave, Dodge 2 Wizard 2 3 Wizard 3 Mobility 4 Wizard 4 5 Wizard 5 B: Power Attack 6 Wizard 6 Practiced Spellcaster 7 Swiftblade 1 B: Spring Attack 8 Swiftblade 2 9 Swiftblade 3 Arcane Strike 10 Swiftblade 4 11 Swiftblade 5 12 Swiftblade 6 xxx 13 Swiftblade 7 B: Bounding Assault 14 Swiftblade 8 15 Swiftblade 9 Combat Casting 16 Abjurant Champion 1 17 Abjurant Champion 2 18 Abjurant Champion 3 xxx 19 Abjurant Champion 4 20 Abjurant Champion 5 Do you guys have any ideas for the 2 open feats? EDIT: Sorry guys, forgot to mention my DM allowed me to take Martial Weapon Proficiency (Heavy Flail) instead of my familiar; it'll go well with Greater Mighty Wallop. I know, I know, probably not a good trade off, but I'm not really into familiars, and for the background I'm planning for this guy a familiar wouldn't really fit in either. Thanks, Ax.
#2 ninjarabbit May 25, 2009 20:50:11	Unless I'm missing something you'll need to spend a feat on a martial weapon proficency to qualify for swiftblade and abjurant champion. Beyond that I think quicken spell is pretty much a must and maybe a reserve feat like minor shapeshift.
#3 kinie May 25, 2009 23:06:14	I'd recommend grabbing a Sorcerer variant (Stalwart is a good one) instead of being a Wizard to get around the "martial weapon prof." requirement and have more HP in battle since you'll be bouncing around a lot. You "lose" the wizard bonus feat and 9th level but gain Weapon Focus for your martial weapon if you take Stalwart AND get the Cleric BAB. There might be a wizard variant that grants a martial weapon proficiency for one weapon and no ASF if wearing light armor, but I don't remember what book it'd be in. You can get around the whole "lack of utility" complaint with Runestaffs or Knowstones. Humans make a nice Swiftblade, as does an Illumian thanks to Sigils. You are right in how you read the Aeshkrau sigil combo; Str. does replace your "normal" casting stat. Some recommendations for those free feats include Quicken Spell, Extend Spell and Eschew Materials.
#4 CantripN May 26, 2009 2:42:08	Minor Shapeshift is good, but by 20th, you'll be able to Persist spells with your real slots, so why not do that? Good open slots, too. Extend is always good, while Persistant is only very good at 16th or so if you have to pay for it. Persistant Wraithstrike is quite legitimate if you pay for it.
#5 axator May 26, 2009 6:04:15	Sorry guys, forgot to mention my DM allowed me to take Martial Weapon Proficiency (Heavy Flail) instead of my familiar; it'll go well with Greater Mighty Wallop. I know, I know, probably not a good trade off, but I'm not really into familiars, and for the background I'm planning for this guy a familiar wouldn't really fit in either. Great ideas for the feats guys. 24h Wraithstrike is actually one of the few 2nd level spells I would consider taking in an 8th level slot, so Extend Spell and Persistant Spell are in I think. I have considered making him a Stalwart Sorcerer instead, but losing 9th level spells and two feats is too much of a hit In my opinion.
#6 telehax May 26, 2009 11:16:30	Aeshkrau doesn't make your casting stat Strength. Just the number of bonus spells.
#7 CantripN May 26, 2009 11:18:43	Aeshkrau doesn't make your casting stat Strength. Just the number of bonus spells. He's a Gish, so that's not really an issue, so long as he has 19 INT with items.