Melee focused spellsword
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Melee focused spellsword
Hi guys and girls,
I’m looking to create a spellsword that functions more like a paladin than a wizard, the idea being that the spells supplement a high strength frontline fighter for buffs/utility.
A couple of specific questions are
- Is the spellsword able to use -teleport?
- can the Spellsword successfully achieve higher than 3 attacks if they dip into a fighter class?
- I believe the optimum number of spellsword levels is 21. How should I spend the rest?
- What are some feats essential feats (beyond blind right and improved expertise) that would help? Is cleave worth it?
- would the build be improved by just being a standard fighter / mage split?
- I’ve current gone for these starting stats (with gift).
STR18
DEX12
CON14
INT18
WIS8
CHA8
Please treat me as an absolute noob, I’ve not played a wizard character before and I’m not sure how best to draw out the spellsword’s potential as a fighter/mage.
I’m looking to create a spellsword that functions more like a paladin than a wizard, the idea being that the spells supplement a high strength frontline fighter for buffs/utility.
A couple of specific questions are
- Is the spellsword able to use -teleport?
- can the Spellsword successfully achieve higher than 3 attacks if they dip into a fighter class?
- I believe the optimum number of spellsword levels is 21. How should I spend the rest?
- What are some feats essential feats (beyond blind right and improved expertise) that would help? Is cleave worth it?
- would the build be improved by just being a standard fighter / mage split?
- I’ve current gone for these starting stats (with gift).
STR18
DEX12
CON14
INT18
WIS8
CHA8
Please treat me as an absolute noob, I’ve not played a wizard character before and I’m not sure how best to draw out the spellsword’s potential as a fighter/mage.
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
1. Yes. But they can't create the portals.
2. Yes.
3. Why do you believe 21 is optimum?
4. All transmutation spell schools, extend spell, maximize spell, all weapon foci, improved crit, armor skin, epic mage armor, and arcane defense for abjuration. Do take the latter as early as you can. Cleave is awful for this build, as you can't afford to take it.
5. By "standard split", how do you mean? 15/15? 27/3?
INT is not as important anymore, because they removed the damage bonus associated with it. Unless you want more spell slots (which is definitely a thought to be made), I would go:
16 STR (+2 gift)
12 DEX
16 CON
14 INT (+2 gift)
8 WIS
8 CHA
You want to go 23 SS/4 Fighter/3 Bard.
2. Yes.
3. Why do you believe 21 is optimum?
4. All transmutation spell schools, extend spell, maximize spell, all weapon foci, improved crit, armor skin, epic mage armor, and arcane defense for abjuration. Do take the latter as early as you can. Cleave is awful for this build, as you can't afford to take it.
5. By "standard split", how do you mean? 15/15? 27/3?
INT is not as important anymore, because they removed the damage bonus associated with it. Unless you want more spell slots (which is definitely a thought to be made), I would go:
16 STR (+2 gift)
12 DEX
16 CON
14 INT (+2 gift)
8 WIS
8 CHA
You want to go 23 SS/4 Fighter/3 Bard.
Re: Melee focused spellsword
Why would you go only 16 intelligence when you could just take points from strength to get 18 int at first level. Presumably you want 19 base int eventually anyway to cast all your spells, so you're just losing skillpoints by starting with 16 int.liver and bones wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:58 pmINT is not as important anymore, because they removed the damage bonus associated with it. Unless you want more spell slots (which is definitely a thought to be made), I would go:
16 STR (+2 gift)
12 DEX
16 CON
14 INT (+2 gift)
8 WIS
8 CHA
You want to go 23 SS/4 Fighter/3 Bard.
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- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:08 pm
Re: Melee focused spellsword
Early viability vs. long-term gain. Given that this guy wanted to go 12 DEX at first, sacrificing +1 AB is huge early on for spellswords given their lack of AB-buffing till level 5 (assuming you can afford the GMW scrolls).Lurch wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 5:03 pmWhy would you go only 16 intelligence when you could just take points from strength to get 18 int at first level. Presumably you want 19 base int eventually anyway to cast all your spells, so you're just losing skillpoints by starting with 16 int.liver and bones wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:58 pmINT is not as important anymore, because they removed the damage bonus associated with it. Unless you want more spell slots (which is definitely a thought to be made), I would go:
16 STR (+2 gift)
12 DEX
16 CON
14 INT (+2 gift)
8 WIS
8 CHA
You want to go 23 SS/4 Fighter/3 Bard.
If you want to go what I feel the best build is (for stating stats), then go for the build on the Discord: https://docs.google.com/document/d/199E ... QMoQc/edit
Your armor will be both a green chainshirt AND mithril fullplate. Buff in green chainshirt, then switch to mithril fullplate.
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
Is there a reason people don't start with Transmutation and Greater Transmutation? I found the burning hands clears packs of low level enemies quickly and the boost to buffs helps a lot, where improved expertise seems like overkill so early.
Re: Melee focused spellsword
What you’ve described is precisely the spellsword’s role. The build you want is this:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/199E ... sp=sharing
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
That's missing from the cookie-cutter thread for some reason.Dr. B wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 11:08 pmWhat you’ve described is precisely the spellsword’s role. The build you want is this:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/199E ... sp=sharing
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Re: Melee focused spellsword
Yeah, I’ll put it in as soon as I stop being lazy.
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
Nope, though I would personally still say take Transmutation later on. Get both by level 12. Weapon Focus, SF: Abjuration and Arcane Defense: Abjuration, and blindfight are the best things to take early on imo.Tourmaline wrote: ↑Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:22 pmIs there a reason people don't start with Transmutation and Greater Transmutation? I found the burning hands clears packs of low level enemies quickly and the boost to buffs helps a lot, where improved expertise seems like overkill so early.
Re: Melee focused spellsword
Hey guys thanks for the tips.
I agree 23 seems better and definitely happy this is the class for me now that I’ve seen that cookie cutter build.
Appreciate the help from all as I’ve been really looking forward to playing my spellsword. Hopefully I’ll run into you all online!
I agree 23 seems better and definitely happy this is the class for me now that I’ve seen that cookie cutter build.
Appreciate the help from all as I’ve been really looking forward to playing my spellsword. Hopefully I’ll run into you all online!
Re: Melee focused spellsword
Transmutation was worth it early on for me. Especially since I was in fullpfullplate with a shield. My A.C. was already good. At low levels burning hands was just to OP to pass up. Especially against Skal mobs.
Re: Melee focused spellsword
I wrote that build.
Take what you want when you want for early stuff, doesn't really matter.
You should be level 12 by the end of your second or third day anyway.
Take what you want when you want for early stuff, doesn't really matter.
You should be level 12 by the end of your second or third day anyway.
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
Level 12 by the end of your second or third day? Is leveling significantly faster in Cordor than Skal or am I doing it wrong?
You've done it [Garrbear], you've kicked the winemom nest. -Redacted
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Re: Melee focused spellsword
Depends on how much time you're spending leveling. People who know the module well also tend to level up faster. My honest advice? Don't worry about it too much.
Rolled: Helene d'Arque, Sara Lyonall
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain
Shelved: Kels Vetian, Cin ys'Andalis, Saul Haidt
Playing: Oshe Jordain