Spellsword build request

Discussions related to character builds and mechanics may occur here.

Moderators: Forum Moderators, Active DMs

Post Reply
User avatar
miesny_jez
Posts: 757
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:03 am
Location: Ireland (Poland)

Spellsword build request

Post by miesny_jez » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:31 am

Hi All,

As I am completely unfamiliar with Spellsword I would like to change that and try it out a bit myself but currently lack the time to actually do myself a proper study of the class and design a proper build.

Can You provide me with a SS build with following parameters:
1) UD race, (Drow, Duergar or Svirf)
2) Focused on Parry, Pick Pockets, Open Locks
3) Assasin, if possible High DA DC
4) Spell focused in Transmutations (does teleport work for SS?)

4) If possible: Disarm/Set Traps for Epic Traps (Disarm Trap DC 68, Set Trap DC 65 or DC30 if 65 not possible)
5) If possible (but not critical): Epic Dodge
6) if possible: EMA

7) Being able to Handle Locks/Traps from lvl 12+
8) Being able to Handle Pickpocket - as soon as possible, but not wasting skill point into cross-classing
9) Primary focus PVE
10) Build power wise - balanced to be highest at medium/early epic level ranges, so 15 - 23, not looking at power peaking at lvl 30

I am looking for something which would be *reasonable* in combat, don't have to be stellar though AB ranges at level30 and in Parry 41 - 47 are good enough for me . Primary focus on PVE.

Thanks for Your help!

User avatar
One Two Three Five
Posts: 1139
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:09 am

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by One Two Three Five » Fri Feb 23, 2018 3:58 am

The problem you're going to run into is that you're spread pretty thing with all those requirements. The 'best' current spellsword builds (unless the update shakes up the meta significantly, which is doubtful, or you have a grandfathered pre-nerf spellsword) all basically use the same template as other non-mage 'caster' melees: 23/4/3. With that said, let's get into a run down:

1. UD Race: This one's easy. Drow have some of the best stats in the game.
2. Parry, Pick Pocket, Open Lock: You don't need much open lock here, honestly you don't. A couple of points on a dexer and a modicum of gear can get you into most things. Parry- actually kind of goes against how spellswords work. They want to be on the offensive, so they can proc imbues as much as possible. Pick Pocket- just play a rogue i guess
3. Assassin with high DA DC: DC Assassin and Spellsword are both best with as many levels invested solely into them as possible. Does not compute. Pick one. (5 Assassin for the guild is viable, ish, I guess.)
4. Spell focus transmu is standard issue spellsword stuff right now. Good here. You'll want 21 wiz for the teleport which allegedly Does work.

4, again: Disarm/Set traps for epic traps- Eh.. Possible, I guess.
5. Epic Dodge: Not on a spellsword you wont
6. EMA: If you're playing a spellsword and not planning to get EMA there's this fun command called -delete_character

7. Easy, I guess
8. Eh. Up to you.
9. Spellswords are real good for PvE
10. Build Power: The rest of your list seems dedicated to making the build as weak as possible so I don't know what to tell you here

The absolute best I can do for you is, I suppose, some kind of 21 wizard/4 fighter/5 assassin to get into the assassin's guild but you're going to see some power loss compared to the standard spellsword in the following ways: Lower AB, lower caster level and thus a greater weakness to dispels, and lower discipline. Oh, and you lose one epic feat.

Like I get the arcane trickster vibe and I'm into it but it might not be super possible with spellsword as-is.
The devil does not need any more advocates
Clerics are just socially acceptable warlocks.

Freyason
Posts: 446
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:13 am
Location: Brogendenstein

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by Freyason » Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:01 am

Just got 2 things to add

1) I'd argue duergar has better stats for spellsword

2) Spellswords can have a pixie, tho not sure if those go as high as what you're looking for

Kirito
Posts: 646
Joined: Tue May 16, 2017 8:22 pm

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by Kirito » Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:33 am

One Two Three Five wrote:.
2. Parry, Pick Pocket, Open Lock: You don't need much open lock here, honestly you don't. A couple of points on a dexer and a modicum of gear can get you into most things. Parry- actually kind of goes against how spellswords work. They want to be on the offensive, so they can proc imbues as much as possible. Pick Pocket- just play a rogue i guess
parry actually works great with a spellsword, especially with the new nerfs. parry is limited to once per flurry, imbue is once per flurry. you get +5AB from parry meaning your more likely to hit with your 3 attacks then getting that 4th to land. the biggest issue is it's not a class skill, so you'll be taking it in big ish skill dump chunks

User avatar
One Two Three Five
Posts: 1139
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:09 am

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by One Two Three Five » Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:55 am

Alright, I'll grant you that spellsword is the best candidate to make parry even passingly worthwhile. However, still worse than making full attacks.
The devil does not need any more advocates
Clerics are just socially acceptable warlocks.

Kirito
Posts: 646
Joined: Tue May 16, 2017 8:22 pm

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by Kirito » Fri Feb 23, 2018 9:17 am

only in the sense you can't focus attacks. with good enough a.c. and high enough parry it honestly doesn't make much difference and can be better.

User avatar
Thanatosis
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:47 pm

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by Thanatosis » Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:19 pm

Halfway derail about parry: DEX WMs with parry are pretty gnarly. Parry is underrated, but also overrated -- nobody smart is going to sit and fight a guy who's in parry mode. But if you switch it on and off and be tricky with it, it can be pretty strong. *170 DEX WM crits intensify*

tl;dr it's a tool, not a crux
BegoneThoth wrote:Hardcore player here

User avatar
miesny_jez
Posts: 757
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:03 am
Location: Ireland (Poland)

Re: Spellsword build request

Post by miesny_jez » Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:51 am

Thanks everyone.

Taking the comments into consideration I have kicked out the idea of the Assasin.. obviously it does not work.

I came up with something like this instead:

Build:

Code: Select all

Wizard(21), Rogue(5), Purple Dragon Knight (Valiant)(4), Drow

STR: 13 
DEX: 16 (22)
CON: 12 {+2}
WIS: 8
INT: 19 (20)
CHA: 10 {-2}

Taking also the Melee-Maghtere Gift for CON boost.

Drow: (Hardiness vs. Enchantments, Keen Sense, Low-light Vision, Skill Affinity: Listen, Skill Affinity: Search, Skill Affinity: Spot, Sleeplessness)
01: Wizard(1): Spell Focus: Transmutation, {Scribe Scroll}
02: Wizard(2)
03: Wizard(3): Weapon Finesse
04: Wizard(4): INT+1, (INT=20)
05: Wizard(5): Greater Spell Focus: Transmutation
06: Wizard(6): Spell Focus: Abjuration
07: Wizard(7)
08: Wizard(8): DEX+1, (DEX=17)
09: Wizard(9): Greater Spell Focus: Abjuration
10: Wizard(10): Spell Focus: Divination
11: Wizard(11)
12: Wizard(12): DEX+1, Blind Fight, (DEX=18)
13: Wizard(13)
14: Rogue(1)
15: Rogue(2): Weapon Focus, {Evasion}
16: Rogue(3): DEX+1, {Uncanny Dodge I}, (DEX=19)
17: Wizard(14)
18: Wizard(15): Empower Spell, Greater Spell Focus: Divination
19: Wizard(16)
20: Wizard(17): DEX+1, (DEX=20)
21: Wizard(18): Epic Weapon Focus
22: Wizard(19)
23: Wizard(20): Epic Spell Focus: Divination
24: Wizard(21): DEX+1, Epic Spell: Epic Mage Armor, (DEX=21)
25: Rogue(4)
26: Purple Dragon Knight(1)
27: Purple Dragon Knight(2): Epic Skill Focus: Parry
28: Purple Dragon Knight(3): DEX+1, (DEX=22)
29: Purple Dragon Knight(4)
30: Rogue(5): Epic Spell Focus: Transmutation
Skills:

Code: Select all

Hitpoints: 214
Skillpoints: 251
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 12/15/18
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +6, Mind Effects: +2
BAB: 15
AB (max, naked): 23 (melee), 20 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 21/23
Spell Casting: Wizard(9)
Alignment Changes: 0

Concentration 20(21), Disable Trap 10(17), Discipline 32(34), Hide 23(28), Move Silently 23(28), Open Lock 9(14), Parry 33(48), Pick Pocket 24(29), Search 4(11), Set Trap 14(21), Spellcraft 27(32), Tumble 30(35)


01: Concentration(4), Disable Trap(1), Open Lock(1), Spellcraft(4), Save(12), 
02: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(16), 
03: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(20), 
04: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(24), 
05: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(28), 
06: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(32), 
07: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(36), 
08: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(41), 
09: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(46), 
10: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(51), 
11: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(56), 
12: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(61), 
13: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(66), 
14: Disable Trap(9), Hide(16), Move Silently(16), Open Lock(8), Parry(17), Set Trap(2), Tumble(10), Save(1), 
15: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Parry(1), Pick Pocket(6), Search(4), Save(1), 
16: Hide(1), Move Silently(1), Parry(1), Pick Pocket(6), Tumble(5), 
17: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(4), Save(2), 
18: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(7), 
19: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(12), 
20: Concentration(1), Spellcraft(1), Save(17), 
21: Spellcraft(1), Save(23), 
22: Spellcraft(1), Save(29), 
23: Spellcraft(1), Save(35), 
24: Spellcraft(1), Save(41), 
25: Hide(5), Move Silently(5), Parry(9), Pick Pocket(3), Tumble(10), Save(22), 
26: Discipline(29), 
27: Discipline(1), Save(6), 
28: Discipline(1), Save(12), 
29: Discipline(1), Save(18), 
30: Parry(5), Pick Pocket(9), Set Trap(12), Tumble(5), 
Tell me if You see any obvious issues in this regarding SS building.

Post Reply