Duskblade info needed

[weenie]

#1: Is there any way for a Duskblade to add new spells to its spell list? I have already tought of the Arcane disciple feat, but that requires a high wisdom, and that creates a bit of MAD.

#2: Can a metamagic rod be used as an effective weapon?

#3: Could the Duskblade also channel a spell with a casting time of full round if he channels it as part of a full attack action?

[Crow]

If he has a free hand, he can use Runestaffs. They are in Magic Item Compendium and allow you to use the spells they grant by burning a spell slot of equivelant level.

If you invest in a Casting Glove (20k, also in MIC), you can store the staff shrunk down inside the glove (leaving your hand free for a shield or two-hander, and still use it's abilities with no penalty.

Seriously, that glove is a steal, even for 20k.

[Kurald Galain]

#1: Is there any way for a Duskblade to add new spells to its spell list?
Effectively, no. However, note that the Duskblade ability to cast spells on a melee attack also works with spells from other classes, making duskblade/wizard/ultimate magus a viable combo. Not good, but viable.



#2: Can a metamagic rod be used as an effective weapon?
I suppose you could whack people with it, but by the time you get it the only effective weapons are those with good pluses on them.

[RTGoodman]

I don't have my PHBII on me right now and don't know the exact way Duskblade spells work, but wouldn't the Extra Spell feat from Complete Arcane help you out. It lets you learn a spell to which you would otherwise not have access, and (as far as I remember) there's no restriction on that spell having to be on your spell list or anything. It might be something to check out.

[Cuddly]

You could see if your DM would let you fashion a weapon with the core of it as a rod you could channel your spells through.

[weenie]

You could see if your DM would let you fashion a weapon with the core of it as a rod you could channel your spells through.

I don't know.. If a player asked me if he/she could do this I don't think I'd allow it.

Anyhow, whitch spells would be worth wasting a feat on in your opinion? I think I'd take Stoneskin and Combust. Maybe also Haste, depends on how many feats I've got remaining.

[Crow]

What level are you playing at, and how much cash do you have? Feats are a valuable commodity...are you sure you want to waste one for 1 spell?

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

#2: Can a metamagic rod be used as an effective weapon?

That would be a very reasonable custom item.


Physical Description: ... (Many, as noted in their descriptions, can function as light maces or clubs due to their sturdy construction.)


#3: Could the Duskblade also channel a spell with a casting time of full round if he channels it as part of a full attack action?

You would have to cast the spell and then hold the charge and try to hit in subsequent rounds. (You cannot hold the charge if you use the 11th level upgraded version of Arcane Channeling.)

[weenie]

Let's hipotetically say that my Duskblade is Lvl 20. I know that feats are valuable, but so far all the good feats I've come across are Arcane strike, Battle caster, and Arcane mastery. In my opinion Extra spell(Combust) would give my character much greater benefits than say Power attack.

[SadisticFishing]

That depends whether your DM allows Extra Spell to do that, personally, I don't know if I would.

Power Attack is VERY good for a class that can quicken true strikes, by the way.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Battle Caster isn't necessary at level 20, unless you want to wear non-mithral armor.

Extra Spell explicitly allows you to take spells not on your spell list (and even if it doesn't, Duskblade has more than four good spells at most levels. EDIT: third and fourth come to mind).

Power Attack + Leap Attack + True Strike (preferably quick-cast) = lolz. Take this combo, especially as you can't technically Arcane Channel on a charge (it's a standard action).

Sudden [Metamagic] feats are great, as you're a Spontaneous Caster, and don't have access to the Sorcerer's Metamagic Specialist variant. Alternatively, take regular metamagic feats and then Rapid Metamagic from CMage. In general, Empower and Maximize are going to be your best bets.


If you want spells outside your class list, look for PrCs that add spells to your existing list. The only one that comes immediately to mind is Recaster from Races of Eberron (which the Duskblade in my sig is building towards), but they can pick spells from any list (Polymorph!), and pick up a ton of Rapid Metamagic feats. They lose one caster level and some BAB, and are only available to Changelings, who aren't an optimal Duskblade class (but fun to roleplay).

[weenie]

That depends whether your DM allows Extra Spell to do that, personally, I don't know if I would.

Power Attack is VERY good for a class that can quicken true strikes, by the way.

I was aware of that. I wanted to use the comparison to show how badly the Duskblade lacks a (good)touch spell at 2nd level.

[RTGoodman]

Yeah, I don't necessarily support using the Extra Spell feat (it seems a little underpowered to spend a feat to get one spell), but I just put it forward as the only way I could think of to get other spells.

For other feats, and depending on your character, you might look at Somatic Weaponry (Complete Arcane or PHBII or something) - it lets you cast spells with somatic components even if your hands are full. Of course, if you're just using a two-handed weapon, you can just hold it with one and cast with the other, but it still seems pretty good for a sword and shield Duskblade.

[SadisticFishing]

Shocking Grasp is a very good touch spell at level 2. May cause severe injury or even death.

[weenie]

Power Attack + Leap Attack + True Strike (preferably quick-cast) = lolz. Take this combo, especially as you can't technically Arcane Channel on a charge (it's a standard action).

Are you sure about this?

As for the charge part, Arcane Channel is not a standard action, but part of a standard attack action. As I see it a charge is only a special combination of a move action and a standard action, and there's no good reason not to allow them to be used together..

Edit: Oh, I misread that bit about Extra spell.. Yeah, I agree with what you said.


Shocking Grasp is a very good touch spell at level 2. May cause severe injury or even death.

Shocking grasp is actually 1st level, and even though it's a great spell for a Duskblade, Combust is way better.

Edit: Oh, you meant at character level 2. Sorry, I meant at spell level 2..

[Lord Lorac Silvanos]

As for the charge part, Arcane Channel is not a standard action, but part of a standard attack action.

No, it is a separate standard action.


As I see it a charge is only a special combination of a move action and a standard action, and there's no good reason not to allow them to be used together..

Except that charge is a full-round action.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Arcane Channeling (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, you can use a standard action to cast any touch spell you know and deliver the spell through your weapon with a melee attack...
Player's Handbook II, p. 20. Emphasis added.

Charging is a Full-Round Action that happens to include an attack roll. Same with making a Full Attack, actually. You can't channel on one attack of your full attack routine (which is where Arcane Strike comes in handy, since it applies to all attacks in a round.)

Now, these are open to common-sense houseruling, but it's up to the DM.

[TheThan]

If you really want to get metamagic feats, there are way better ways of doing it than wasting tons of feat slots on sudden metamagic feats. What you should do is pick up Arcane preparation, it makes you prepare spells like a wizard, that means you will not need the craptacular sudden metamagic feats. Also you might also want to pick up Arcane thesis to reduce the spell slot cost of your metamagiced spells.


Duskblades are spontaneous casters like sorcerers only they use int as their spell casting stat. Extra Spell is viable, but you must be very mindful as to what you get. I recommend something like enlarge person, you know, something that will benefit you’re over all build. Ultimately its up to you.

[Fax Celestis]

You could see if your DM would let you fashion a weapon with the core of it as a rod you could channel your spells through.

Dungeonscape, Wand Chambers in items. Something like +300 gold to item cost.

Also, you could 1-level Contemplative dip to pick up a Domain, which'd get you a few spells.