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
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)
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.
Bite of Frost
Swordmage Attack 1
Fog and snow fall off your potent blade, which's strikes freeze flesh.
At-Will * Arcane, Cold, Imbuement Minor Action Personal
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Fortitude instead of AC. They also have the Arcane and Cold keywords, and deal cold damage.
– Creatures hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon are slowed until the end of your next turn.
Concussion Strikes
Swordmage Attack 1
Shock waves bounce with the swing of your blade.
At-Will * Arcane, Thunder, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Fortitude instead of AC. They also have the Arcane and Thunder keywords, and deal thunder damage.
– You may push creatures hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon 1 square.
Conduit Blade
Swordmage Attack 1
The electric spark of your weapon drives into the flesh of enemies all around.
At-Will * Arcane, Lightning, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target have the Arcane and Lightning keywords, and deal lightning damage.
- Enemies adjacent to a creature hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon take lightning damage equal to your intelligence modifier.
Corrosive Touch
Swordmage Attack 1
You caress your weapon, which glows green with acidic intent.
At-Will * Arcane, Acid, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Reflex instead of AC. They also have the Arcane and Acid keywords, and deal acid damage.
– Creatures hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon take a -2 penalty to their defenses until the end of your next turn.
Gift of Vampyrism
Swordmage Attack 1
Blood never falls from your blade – the weapon feasts too quickly.
At-Will * Arcane, Lightning, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Fortitude instead of AC. They also have the Arcane and Necrotic keywords, and deal necrotic damage.
– When you hit with a melee basic attack with this weapon, you gain temporary hit points equal to your intelligence modifier.
Illusory Weapon
Swordmage Attack 1
Your blade refracts in the mind of your foe, and even when they dodge, they still suffer from the blow.
At-Will * Arcane, Psychic, Illusion, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Will instead of AC. They also have the Arcane, Psychic and Illusion keywords, and deal psychic damage.
– You may slide creatures hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon 1 square to a square adjacent to you.
Inescapable Blade
Swordmage Attack 1
Your weapon now exists in multiple planes, and always cuts its target.
At-Will * Arcane, Force, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Reflex instead of AC. They also have the Arcane, and Force keywords, and deal force damage.
– Melee basic attacks with the target gain:
Miss: Intelligence modifier force damage.
Lick of Flame
Swordmage Attack 1
Fire spreads across your weapon, hungry to bite into your foes.
At-Will * Arcane, Fire, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target have the Arcane and Fire keywords, and deal fire damage.
- Replace the hit line of melee basic attacks made with the target with, the following:
Hit: 1[W] damage, and ongoing fire damage equal to your intelligence modifier (save ends). Level 21: 2[W] damage, and ongoing ongoing fire damage equal to your intelligence modifier (save ends).
Solar Brand
Swordmage Attack 1
Shining with the light of the sun, your blade dazzles and burns as it strikes.
At-Will * Arcane, Radiant, Imbuement Minor Action Close burst 1
Target: One melee weapon you presently hold
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, or until you use another imbuement power, or until you no longer hold the target, the target gains the following:
– Melee basic attacks made with the target are against Reflex instead of AC. They also have the Arcane, and Radiant keywords, and deal radiant damage.
– Creatures hit by a melee basic attack with this weapon take a -2 penalty to their next attack roll made before the end of your next turn.
Level 2: Utility Power
Quick Focus
Swordmage Utility 2
With a burst of articulation, you cast your spell swiftly.
Encounter * Arcane Free Action Personal
Effect: Use one of your imbuement spells.
Spell Redirection
Swordmage Utility 2
With knowledge of that energy, you channel your foe's spell into your own blade.
Daily * Arcane, Varies Immediate Interrupt Personal Trigger: You are hit by an attack that deals the same damage as your active imbuement Requirement: You must have an imbuement spell active
Effect: Reduce the damage you take from the triggering attack by your intelligence modifier. The next melee attack you you hit with with the same damage type as the triggering attack gains a +2 power bonus to the damage roll.
Read Magic
Swordmage Utility 2
With a blink of your eyes, you analyze the magic around your foe to know its weaknesses and strengths.
Daily * Arcane Minor Action Close burst 5
Target: One enemy
Effect: Choose one of the following: - You know the target's vulnerabilities and resistances, if any, but not their values. - You know the target's highest and lowest defenses, but not their values. - You know all damage type keywords of all the target's powers.
Level 3: Improved Power Strike Identical to the Slayer's feature.
Level 4: Energy Substitution You gain the energy substitution power.
Energy Substitution
Utility 4
You realign the energy of your spell, changing form but not function.
At-Will * Arcane, Varies Minor Action Personal
Effect: Until the end of your next turn, your present imbuement spell deals a damage type of your choice.
Level 5: Mighty Arcane Strike The bonus to arcane melee attacks with a melee weapons granted by your Arcane Strike class feature increases to 2 + your intelligence modifier.
Level 6: Utility Power Choose one level 6 swordmage utility power.
Blade of Blood
Swordmage Utility 6
The blood of all intermingles on your dark blade.
Daily * Arcane Minor Action Personal
Effect: Expend a healing surge, but instead of healing take damage equal to your healing surge value. Until the end of your next turn, your melee weapon attacks deal maximum damage.
Dimensional Assault
Swordmage Utility 6
With a word of power you run parallel to this world, and return to deliver a mighty blow.
Encounter * Arcane Immediate Interrupt Personal Trigger: You designate the target of a charge
Effect: Teleport the distance of the charge. Special: If the target of the charge is within your line of sight and within melee reach of squares within your movement range, you need not follow the other normal requirements of a charge.
Flying Weapon
Swordmage Utility 6
Modifying your imbuements, you temporarily enchant a weapon to function in the air.
At-Will * Arcane Standard Action Melee 1
Target: One melee weapon
Effect: Until the end of your next turn, the target gains the heavy thrown property, has a range of 5/10 and returns when thrown as though enchanted.
Level 7: Extra Imbue Spell You gain one additional swordmage imbuement spell.
Level 7: Empowered Spellchanneling When you use power strike, the benefits of your active imbuement spells are enhanced for that strike.
Bite of Frost: The target of the triggering attack is instead immobilized until the end of your next turn.
Concussion Strikes: The target of the triggering attack is instead pushed 3 squares.
Conduit Blade: Instead of just adjacent enemies, all enemies within burst 2 of the target of the triggering attack take electricity equal to your intelligence modifier.
Corrosive Touch: The target of the triggering attack instead takes a -5 penalty to all defenses until the end of your next turn.
Gift of Vampyrism: You instead gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + your intelligence modifier.
Illusory Weapon: You may instead slide the target of the triggering attack to any square adjacent to you.
Inescapable Blade: Reroll damage rolls of the triggering attack that show 1 until they show 2 or higher. Take the new results.
Lick of Flame: Saves against your ongoing damage dealt with the triggering attack take a -2 penalty.
Solar Brand: The target of the triggering attack is instead blinded (save ends).
Level 9: Combat Readiness You gain a +2 bonus to initiative.
Level 10: Utility Power Choose one level 10 swordmage utility power.
Ghost Dance
Swordmage Utility 10
With a quick step in an unfathomable direction, you tread swiftly and eloquently through the material around you.
Daily * Arcane Move Action Personal
Effect: Shift half your speed with phasing. If you end the movement inside a physical object, you are ejected to the nearest unoccupied square and take damage equal your healing surge value for each square ejected.
Sudden Propulsion
Swordmage Utility 10
When you brace to jump, air circles around you like giant spring, which flings you forward.
Encounter * Arcane Immediate Interrupt Personal Trigger: You make an athletics check to jump or you fall
Effect: You do not fall or make an athletics check. Fly a number of squares equal to your speed. Special: At your DM's discretion, if you activate this power by a fall from a great height, you may activate the power at a point during the fall.
The True Mirror
Swordmage Utility 10
You and the foe exchange weaknesses, reflecting one another. Who will be the first to shatter?
Daily * Arcane Standard Action Melee 1
Target: One creature
Effect: You and the target gain vulnerable all to each other's attacks. The value of that vulnerability may be a value of your choice from the following: 5, 10, or 15.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Nice going. I might play this, or my Duskblade conversion (a defender, I'll post it when I'm done with my Warmage conversion (Here: community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...). As for 3.5 stuff, renaming Conduit Blade Shocking Grasp and Gift of Vampirysm Blade of Blood might be a start.
