[3.5] Swordmage

[TheSteve]

So, like...everyone else in the world, I guess, I wanted a character who can sling spell and sword. I love the concept of the 4E Swordmage, but, the group I play with is 3.5, which means that if I want a gish, I have to multiclass my butt off.
Since I do enjoy the Swordmage, I tried to make a 3.5 version. My biggest concern is that it's overpowered for a basic class. I tried to balance it out and make it worth leveling to 20, but, I dunno. I need outside opinions.
The books I used were the PHB, Complete Warrior (for the Channel Spell), and Spell Compendium
So, without further ado, here it is:

Swordmage

Alignment - Any
Hit Die - D8

Class Skills
Bluff
Climb
Concentration
Craft
Decipher Script
Diplomacy
Hide
Intimidate
Jump
Knowledge (Arcana)
Move Silently
Spellcraft
Swim
Use Magic Device

Skill Points - 4 + Int Modifier

Weapons and Armor Proficiencies - A Swordmage is proficient with all Simple Weapons and all Melee Martial Weapons. They are proficient with Light Armor and Shields (except Tower Shields)
A Swordmage can cast Arcane spells while wearing Light Armor without incurring the normal spell failure chance.

Spells - A Swordmage casts Arcane spells, which are drawn from the Swordmage spell list (see below). A Swordmage must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time. To prepare, or cast a spell, the Swordmage must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10+ the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a Swordmage's spell is 10 + the spell level + the Swordmage's Intelligence modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a Swordmage can only cast a certain number of spells per day. The base allotment is the same as a Wizard. In addition, they receive bonus spells per day if they have a high Intelligence score.

Spellbook - A swordmage must study his spellbook each day to prepare his spells. He cannot prepare any spell not recorded in his spellbook. A swordmage begins play with a spellbook containing all available Swordmage spells.
------------------------------------------------
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1|+2|+0|+0|+2|Swordbond
2|+2|+0|+0|+3|
3|+3|+1|+1|+3|
4|+4|+1|+1|+4|Improved Swordbond
5|+5|+1|+1|+4|Channel Spell 2/day, Bonus Feat (Fighter)
6|+6/+1|+2|+2|+5|
7|+7/+2|+2|+2|+5|
8|+8/+3|+2|+2|+6|Greater Swordbond
9|+9/+4|+3|+3|+6|
10|+10/+5|+4|+3|+7|Channel Spell 3/Day, Bonus Feat (Wizard)
11|+11/+6/+1|+3|+3|+7|
12|+12/+7/+2|+4|+4|+8|Greater Improved Swordbond
13|+13/+8/+3|+4|+4|+8|
14|+14/+9/+4|+4|+4|+9|
15|+15/+10/+5|+5|+5|+9|Channel Spell 4/Day, Bonus Feat (Fighter)
16|+16/+11/+6/+1|+5|+5|+10|Master Swordbond
17|+17/+12/+7/+2|+5|+5|+10|
18|+18/+13/+8/+3|+6|+6|+11|
19|+19/+14/+9/+4|+6|+6|+11|
20|+20/+15/+10/+5|+12|+6|+12|Channel Spell 5/day, True Swordbond, Bonus Feat (Wizard)[/table]

Spells Per Day{table=head]Level|0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9
1|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3|2|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
5|2|2|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-
6|2|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-
7|2|2|2|1|0|-|-|-|-|-
8|2|2|2|2|1|-|-|-|-|-
9|2|2|2|2|1|0|-|-|-|-
10|2|2|2|2|2|1|-|-|-|-
11|2|2|2|2|2|1|0|-|-|-
12|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|-|-|-
13|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|0|-|-
14|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|1|-|-
15|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|1|0|-
16|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|-
17|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|0
18|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1|1
19|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|1
20|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2|2[/table]

Swordbond - By spending 1 hour of uninterrupted meditation, a Swordmage forms a magical bond with his sword, allowing him to summon it to his hand from up to 50 feet. away. Also, the Swordmage is treated as having the Weapon Focus feat for his bonded sword. Only one sword can be bonded to the Swordmage at a time, and if he forms a new bond with a different sword, the previous bond is lost. If the Swordmage dual wields, the bonus feat only applies to the bonded weapon (For example, the Swordmage fights using two Short Swords. The Swordmage only receives the benefits of the Weapon Specialization feats with attack rolls made with the bonded weapon. They do not apply to the other short sword.). The exception to this is if the Swordmage takes the Twin Bond feat (See Below)

Improved Swordbond - At level 4, your Swordbond grows stronger. In addition to the previous abilities, a Swordmage is also treated as having the Improved Critical feat when using his bonded sword.

Greater Swordbond - At 8th level, the Swordbond grows even stronger. In addition to the previously mentioned abilities, a Swordmage is treated as having the Weapon Specialization feat when using his bonded weapon.

Greater Improved Swordbond - At 12th level, in addition to the previous abilities, a Swordmage is treated as having the Greater Weapon Focus feat when using his bonded weapon.

Master Swordbond - At 16th level, in addition to the previous abilities, a Swordmage is treated as having the Greater Weapon Specialization feat when using his bonded weapon.

True Swordbond - At 20th level, the swordmage and his sword have become one, and are practically an extension of each other. The swordmage's bonded weapon now overcomes any DR as though it were made of the correct material.

Bonus Feats: At levels 5 and 15, you gain a bonus feat selected from the Fighter bonus feat list. At levels 10 and 20, you select a bonus feat from the Wizard selection list.

Channel Spell - Begining at level 5, a Swordmage can channel any spell he can cast into his melee weapon. Using this ability requires a move action, and the Swordmage uses up the prepared spell or spell slot as though he had just cast the spell. The channeled spell affects the next target that the Swordmage successfully attacks with his weapon (saving throws and spell resistance still apply). Even if the spell normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. The spell is discharged from the weapon, which can then hold another spell. A swordmage can channel his spells into only one weapon at a time, and are lost if not used within 8 hours.
The Swordmage is able to channel 2 spells/day at 5th level, and an additional spell/day at every 5th level afterward (5, 10, 15, 20)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swordmage Spells

0 - Level
Resistance
Acid Splash
Detect Magic
Read Magic
Daze
Flare
Light
Ray of Frost
Touch of Fatigue
Mending
Arcane Mark
Amanuensis*
Electric Jolt*

1 - Level
Alarm
Endure Elements
Protection from Chaos/Evil/Law/Good
Shield
Mage Armor
True Strike
Burning Hands
Shocking Grasp
Color Spray
Nystul's Magic Aura
Chill Touch
Ray of Enfeeblement
Expeditious Retreat
Feather Fall
Jump
Magic Weapon
Dispel Ward*
Ectoplasmic Armor*
Nightshield*
Benign Transposition*
Blades of Fire*
Corrosive Grasp*
Critical Strike*
Distract Assailant*
Light of Lunia*
Accelerated Movement*
Fist of Stone*
Slide*

2 - Level
Arcane Lock
Protection from Arrows
Resist Energy
Glitterdust
See Invisibility
Daze Monster
Continual Flame
Scorching Ray
Shatter
Blur
Invisibility
False Life
Bear's Endurance
Bull's Strength
Cat's Grace
Fox's Cunning
Spider Climb
Baleful Transposition*
Create Magic Tattoo*
Blast of Force*
Burning Sword*
Electric Loop*
Light of Mercuria*
Ray of Ice*
Bladeweave*
Delusions of Grandeur*
Curse of Impending Blades*
Death Armor*
Ray of Weakness*
Body of the Sun*
Bristle*
Ghost Touch Armor*
Infernal Wound*
Scale Weakening*
Slide, Greater*
Sonic Weapon*
Whirling Blade*
Wraithstrike*

3 - Level
Dispel Magic
Magic Circle against Chaos/Evil/Law/Good
Protection from Energy
Arcane Sight
Heroism
Hold Person
Fireball
Lightning Bolt
Wind Wall
Displacement
Ray of Exhaustion
Blink
Fly
Haste
Keen Edge
Magic Weapon, Greater
Slow
Mage Armor, Greater*
Unluck*
Flashburst*
Glowing Orb*
Light of Venya*
Rainbow Blast*
Sound Lance*
Curse of Impending Blades, Mass*
Diamondsteel*
Dolorous Blow*
Dragonskin*
Spell Vulnerability*
Spiderskin*
Steeldance*
Weapon of Energy*

4 - Level
Remove Curse
Stoneskin
Dimension Door
Crushing Despair
Fire Shield
Invisibility, Greater
Bestow Curse
Resistance, Greater*
Translocation Trick*
Know Vulnerabilities*
Dragon Breath*
Sword of Deception*
Sensory Deprivation*
Flight of the Dragon*
Voice of the Dragon*

5 - Level
Break Enchantment
Hold Monster
Cone of Cold
Waves of Fatigue
Telekinesis
Duelward*
Ironguard,Lesser*
Ball Lightning*
Cyclonic Blast*
Prismatic Ray*
Blink, Greater*
Draconic Might*
Vulnerability*

6 - Level
Dispel Magic, Greater
Guards and Wards
Analyze Dweomer
Legend Lore
True Seeing
Heroism, Greater
Chain Lightning
Contingency
Mislead
Eyebite
Tenser's Transformation
Resistance, Superior*
Ray of Light*
Ray of Entropy*
Brilliant Blade*
Stone Body*

7 - Level
Spell Turning
Hold Person, Mass
Power Word Blind
Prismatic Spray
Waves of Exhaustion
Antimagic Ray*
Energy Immunity*
Ghost Trap*
Ironguard*
Stun Ray*
Radiant Assault*
Avasculate*
Elemental Body*
Synostodweomer*

8 - Level
Mind Blank
Protection from Spells
Discern Location
Moment of Prescience
Power Word Stun
Polar Ray
Shout, Greater
Sunburst
Iron Body
Bestow Curse, Greater*

9 - Level
Freedom
Foresight
Hold Monster, Mass
Power Word Kill
Absorption*
Reaving Dispel*
Black Blade of Disaster*

*denotes a spell from the Spell Compendium

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Feat
Twin Bond
[General]
You forge a powerful bond with both of your swords.
Prerequisite: Swordmage 1
Benefit: You can form a Swordbond with two swords instead of one. Each sword gains the full benefits of a Swordbond.
Normal: You can only form a Swordbond with one sword.
Special: Two swords that are Bonded are treated as a set, and you must use them both in order to gain the Swordbond benefits. If either of the swords are lost or destroyed, the bond is broken and you must spend another hour establishing a new bond.

Recent edits:
Added table
Removed Bonus Spell ability
Reduced Fort saves
Reduced Spells per Day
Modified Spells Known list

[demidracolich]

Did you check out DragoonWraith's sword mage? Its completely different from the 4e one but really interesting. Also it would be better to make a table and get rid of the spoilers.
link: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149724&highlight=swordmage

[TheSteve]

Did you check out DragoonWraith's sword mage? Its completely different from the 4e one but really interesting. Also it would be better to make a table and get rid of the spoilers.
link: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149724&highlight=swordmage

I did not read it yet, but it looks pretty cool.
I'm still married to the idea of getting some feedback on mine so I can try to make it feasible.

[Temotei]

It looks like a duskblade with only one of their class features, really. Have you looked at the duskblade in Player's Handbook II? The main difference here is the extra spell levels (full casting for a gish?).

Honestly, though, a table would help a lot here.

{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1|+1|+2|+0|+2|Class Feature[/table]

Spells Per Day{table=head]Level|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9
1|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Et cetera. Insert the correct features and numbers.

Also, why not just give the Weapon Focus feat tree to the bonded weapon in general instead of limiting it to that specific weapon?

[TheSteve]

It looks like a duskblade with only one of their class features, really. Have you looked at the duskblade in Player's Handbook II? The main difference here is the extra spell levels (full casting for a gish?).

Honestly, though, a table would help a lot here.

Also, why not just give the Weapon Focus feat tree to the bonded weapon in general instead of limiting it to that specific weapon?

Thanks for the table, you're right, it's alot easier to read.

As for PHB2, no, I've never seen it. I knew duskblades existed, but I didn't know how they work or any of their class stuff.

I was hoping that limiting the Spell selection somewhat would justify the full casting, I think the Spell list I chose is still too long though, especially considering the Bonus Spell ability I had in there.

As for the weapon focus tree, yeah, I probably should.
I was trying to avoid the issue with dual wielding, make it so only the bonded sword was getting the benefit since it was the "Special" one, and justify the Twin Bond feat I have at the end.

[Merk]

What you're going for seems like it would be best achieved by a Duskblade (PHB2). As for this class, though:

- You are a prepared caster with a spell book, but you also have a list of spells known. This is somewhat conflicting information. Do you know all of the spells on your list? Is that the list of spells that you can put into your spell book?

- You have full BAB, d8 hit die, two good saves, 4 + int mod skill points, class features, and 9th level spells including Gate and Time Stop. This class is about as powerful as a Wizard ("about" if the spell list indicates all the spells that can ever be learned; if that's just the starting point, then this class >>> Wizard). So yeah, this class is overpowered as written (even taking a more conservative leaning in the spells known issue). Nerf needs to happen. Ideally, this means losing some higher level spells (Duskblade only goes up to 6th level spells IIRC).

[Temotei]

Duskblade only goes up to 6th level spells IIRC.

I think it's 5th level.

[Merk]

I think it's 5th level.

D: You are correct.

[TheSteve]

What you're going for seems like it would be best achieved by a Duskblade (PHB2). As for this class, though:

- You are a prepared caster with a spell book, but you also have a list of spells known. This is somewhat conflicting information. Do you know all of the spells on your list? Is that the list of spells that you can put into your spell book?

- You have full BAB, d8 hit die, two good saves, 4 + int mod skill points, class features, and 9th level spells including Gate and Time Stop. This class is about as powerful as a Wizard ("about" if the spell list indicates all the spells that can ever be learned; if that's just the starting point, then this class >>> Wizard). So yeah, this class is overpowered as written (even taking a more conservative leaning in the spells known issue). Nerf needs to happen. Ideally, this means losing some higher level spells (Duskblade only goes up to 6th level spells IIRC).

The list is supposed to be spells known, yeah. I was leaning towards it being that the character has a full spellbook, it's just a matter of leveling up to access the high power stuff further in.
But yeah, the list is supposed to be it. I do need to shrink the list down some more though.

I have some other things to do at the moment, but, sometime tonight, I'll try nerfing the spell selection.

[Temotei]

Swordmage Spells

0 - Level
Resistance
Acid Splash
Detect Magic
Read Magic
Daze
Flare
Light
Ray of Frost
Touch of Fatigue
Mending
Open/Close
Arcane Mark
Amanuensis

1 - Level
Alarm
Endure Elements
Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Shield
Mage Armor
True Strike
Burning Hands
Shocking Grasp
Expeditious Retreat
Feather Fall
Jump
Magic Weapon
Dispel Ward
Ectoplasmic Armor
Nightshield
Benign Transposition
Blades of Fire
Critical Strike
Targeting Ray
Distract
Light of Lunia
Persistent Blade
Accelerated Movement
Fist of Stone
Ray of Clumsiness
Slide

2 - Level
Protection from Arrows
Resist Energy
Glitterdust
Locate Object
See Invisibility
Daze Monster
Continual Flame
Scorching Ray
Shatter
Blur
Invisibility
Misdirection
False Life
Bear's Endurance
Bull's Strength
Cat's Grace
Eagle's Splendor
Fox's Cunning
Knock
Owl's Wisdom
Spider Climb
Ectoplasmic Feedback
Baleful Transposition
Create Magic Tattoo
Blast of Force
Burning Sword
Force Ladder
Light of Mercuria
Veil of Shadow
Bladeweave
Dark Way
Delusions of Grandeur
Phantom Foe
Curse of Impending Blades
Death Armor
Ray of Weakness
Body of the Sun
Bristle
Earthbind
Ghost Touch Armor
Scale Weakening
Slide, Greater
Snake's Swiftness
Sonic Weapon
Whirling Blade
Wraithstrike

3 - Level
Dispel Magic
Magic Circle against Chaos/Evil/Law/Good
Protection from Energy
Arcane Sight
Heroism
Hold Person
Fireball
Lightning Bolt
Wind Wall
Displacement
Illusory Script
Blink
Fly
Haste
Keen Edge
Magic Weapon, Greater
Slow
Water Breathing
Reverse Arrows
Mage Armor, Greater
Unluck
Suppress Breath Weapon
Flashburst
Glowing Orb
Light of Venya
Resonating Bolt
Curse of Impending Blades, Mass
Diamondsteel
Dragonskin
Spell Vulnerability
Steeldance
Weapon of Energy

4 - Level
Globe of Invulnerability, Lesser
Remove Curse
Stoneskin
Dimension Door
Arcane Eye
Locate Creature
Confusion
Crushing Despair
Fire Shield
Ice Storm
Shout
Invisibility, Greater
Bestow Curse
Portal Alarm, Improved
Ray Deflection
Resistance, Greater
Resist Energy, Mass
Wall of Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
Translocation Trick
Know Vulnerabilities
Dragon Breath
Sword of Deception
Vortex of Teeth
Sensory Deprivation
Backlash
Flight of the Dragon
Spell Enhancer
Voice of the Dragon

5 - Level
Break Enchantment
Hold Monster
Leomund's Secret Chest
Teleport
Prying Eyes
Cone of Cold
Persistent Image
Seeming
Waves of Fatigue
Overland Flight
Telekinesis
Duelward
Ironguard,Lesser
Indomitability
Cyclonic Blast
Shard Storm
Blink, Greater
Draconic Might
Nightstalker's Transformation
Vulnerability

6 - Level
Dispel Magic, Greater
Globe of Invulnerability
Guards and Wards
Analyze Dweomer
Legend Lore
True Seeing
Heroism, Greater
Chain Lightning
Contingency
Mislead
Programmed Image
Shadow Walk
Tenser's Transformation
Resistance, Superior
Gemjump
Brilliant Blade
Stone Body

7 - Level
Spell Turning
Teleport, Greater
Teleport Object
Arcane Sight, Greater
Vision
Hold Person, Mass
Power Word Blind
Mordenkainen's Sword
Waves of Exhaustion
Ethereal Jaunt
Antimagic Ray
Energy Immunity
Ghost Trap
Ironguard
Stun Ray
Avasculate
Body of War
Brilliant Aura
Elemental Body
Synostodweomer

8 - Level
Mind Blank
Protection from Spells
Discern Location
Moment of Prescience
Prying Eyes, Greater
Power Word Stun
Shout, Greater
Sunburst
Screen
Iron Body
Blackfire

9 - Level
Freedom
Mordenkainen's Disjunction
Gate
Foresight
Hold Monster, Mass
Power Word Kill
Time Stop
Absorption
Reaving Dispel
Unbinding
Black Blade of Disaster

Just a start. Those are some ideas.

Be aware that the duskblade is only able to channel touch spells through their weapon. Their spell list is generally restricted to offensive touch spells.

[TheSteve]

Made some edits, including a re-do of the Spell selection list. Trimmed some fat, swapped out for some more useful spells.