4e: Genasi Swordmage/Elemental Tempest build?

[fireinthedust]

So I'm trying to figure out how to spend feats so that I have a Swordmage who:

a) doesn't suck in combat (I'm thinking Bastard sword), and
b) Can use all the elemental manifestations, and elemental abilities, I can get.
c) Creating a new Epic Destiny so he can swap between elements is also a thought.


I want to do Extra Manifestation at 1st level, so he can jump right into the many elements role. However, I do accept that a bastard sword's damage is good enough that waiting to pick up a second manifestation isn't the worst thing (spending a feat so he can use the sword one-handed, and keep the warding +3 AC bonus).

I'm new at 4e, so what feats to pick and when to pick them I don't know for sure. Is it a big deal what the first few feats are? When are the crucial times to grab, like, heavy blade mastery (or if), and when can I spend a feat to be more elemental?

[Mauril Everleaf]

Well, it really depends on what level you are starting at. If you are starting at level one and moving from there, then feat selection order is a bit more important than if you started at higher levels. If you are dead-set on using your bastard sword one-handed, then get that one first and your Extra Manifestation feat at level two. Since the longsword is still a pretty good weapon to start with, you may take the Extra Manifestation first.

Since you can take the Extra Manifestation feat multiple times (once for each element) you can choose to take it in place of your other heroic feats and still not suck in combat. You may not be as excellent in melee as if you had taken other feats, but the driving force behind 4e is that no one sucks, some are just a little better than others.

The feat you should not skip is Intelligent Blademaster. This allows you to pump INT and not worry about STR, and focus on some other stats that need shoring up. I would grab this one as soon as possible. I would probably take it over Weapon Proficiency(Bastard Sword), but that's me. The additional +1 average damage from the Bastard Sword doesn't make it seem worth the feat.

When you get to paragon levels, you may consider taking the Genasi feats, but there are other feats in the paragon tier that I could server you better. Evasion (if you have the DEX), Mettle, Arcane Reach and Heavy Blade Opportunity spring to mind. At this point, retraining an extra feat (if you have one) to get Hide and then grabbing Hide Specialization wouldn't be a terrible idea either.

You may talk to your DM about taking the epic feat multiple times, each time allowing you manifest an additional element simultaneously (two the first time, three the second time, etc.).

[fireinthedust]

It's going to be RPGA. A friend is a GM, and he's crazy interested in it. As a player and optimizer, though, I want to be able to kick ass and impress everyone.

Thanks for the intellegent Blademaster feat; didn't know it wasn't automatic!
Way better than just a bonus to bastard sword (which, if I do it right, I can munch out with at higher levels). So Intelligent Blademaster first, *then* the manifestation 2nd. After that, pump combat feats until 11th, and fill out the manifestations until I have all 5.

Which manifestations to pick, and in what order... I'm thinking fire first (offensive boost to start with), and then something to help mobility. I'll likely decide after the first session or two!

Any words of wisdom regarding stat increases? I'm thinking of whichever ones benefit saves and skills. I suppose knowing what the other people in the party have will determine a lot, but as it's RPGA there's a chance the group will switch around a lot.

I don't know how RPGA does items. I may have to buy them with gp rather than expect to find them. what to pick...

Spoiler

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For private games I'm thinking of creating a magic item that lets him switch manifestations as a free action each round (maybe spend a Hero Point to do so, though).

[erikun]

The big question is, which Aegis will you be using?

If using Aegis of Assult, then you need Intelligent Blademaster at level 1. Need it. The only reason Aegis of Assault is dangerous is the thread of Opportunity Attacks, and it is worthless if you can't hit with them. Blade Opportunist and Combat Reflexes are good, as they give you anohter +3 to hit with your OAs, and they stack together. Heavy Blade Opportunity is good in paragon, as you can use your at-wills instead of basic attacks. Heck, you can retrain Intelligent Blademaster into Heavy Blade Opportunity at level 11, as your at-wills use INT anyways! Just realize that if your Warlord is giving you extra basic attacks (such as with Commander's Strike or Viper's Strike), then those are still affected by Intelligent Blademaster. So, it isn't always wise to give it up completely.

(Note: You'll need 15 Str, 15 Dex for Heavy Blade Opportunity, meaning you'll need to start with 12 Str, 14 Dex before racial modifiers. Blady Opportunist requires 13 Str, 13 Dex. Consider this when deciding on which feats are necessary.)

Aegis of Shielding doesn't provoke an OA, so the abovementioned feats are of less importance. You can focus more on feats like Extra Manifestation or Armor Proficiency (hide) at that point.

While the +1 damage with the Bastard Sword is nice, I'd hardly consider it a top priority. Weapon Focus (longsword) gives you the average bonus, and increases as you level up. Combining the two is best, of course, although that assumes that you have the feats to spare.

Please note that Arcane Reach will not do anything for you. Most of your powers are melee range, not close, and aren't affected by Arcane Reach. (A few are, though.)

As Mauril said, Hide proficiency/specialization is another +2 AC available to you. Defensive Mobility is good for everyone, as is Toughness. Improved Initiative/Quick Draw is nice, but hardly manditory; you'll have a lower-than-average initiative, though.

For the Elemental Tempest, remember that your Weapon Focus feat doesn't apply to the paragon abilities; you'll need something like Burning Blizzard/Astral Fire if you wanted them to do more damage. Also, all these feats grant a "feat bonus" to damage, so none of them stack together. You'll probably want to skip the elemental damage bonuses, unless you have an extra feat free.

As for which elements are best:

Earth/Water works best with Variable Resistance, which is increased by the Elemental Tempest ability. Some combination of Fire/Storm/Wind doesn't get much out of Variable Resistance. Different combination are more of a mix. As for the abilities themselves, I think they're all useful in different situations.

Earth is very defender-y, and helps backstabbing rogues. Fire is very "leave me alone", which works well with the Defender nature too. Storm is more striker-y, and means you want a lightning/thunder encounter power to use it with. Water and Wind are more mobility, with Water ignoring OAs and Wind allowing one-turn flight.

[fireinthedust]

I'm thinking Int 18, then Con as secondary as more attacks have a follow-up bonus from Con. Also the HP is good.
Dex and Str seem less useful, and simply working in a feat prerequisite is annoying. I'd rather boost Con and Int!

Aegis of Assault is more fun; I like rolling to hit, and I'll likely forget to mention averting damage from Shielding. The only reason I'd take Shielding would be to free up more slots for elemental manifestations.

Elements: I'm planning on getting them all, eventually. Fire first, tho, and then likely wind.

[erikun]

Definitely 18 Int (preferably 18 increased to 20) and at least 16 Con. You'll probably want a good Wis (12-14) and what you can spare into Str/Dex for the feat prerequisites.

10 > 12 Str
16 Con
12 Dex
16 > 18 Int
12 Wis
8 Cha

Is a 30 pt. buy. You may want to take 2 point from Wis and distribute them to Str and Dex, giving you 13 in each from the start, although that will leave you with a low Will save.

Fire is good for giving enemies bad choices all around - either they attack you and take guaranteed damage, or they attack someone else for -2 and a chance to be hit by you. It's only effective 1/enc, but nice against a particularly annoying minion.

Wind is nice movement, and gives you cold resistance, although Water is probably a better movement power. I never saw many uses for the "fly X and land at end of move" powers, although it does get to avoid terrain.

Looks good so far!

[Krrth]

Instead of the Bastard sword, take a look at the Broadsword. It does 1d10 damage, +2 prof, and is versatile. It also doesn't require a feat.

[Shadow_Elf]

Take a look at these Dragon articles if you haven't already:

Ecology of the Genasi

Sword Magi Elemental Specialisations and Bonus Powers

Hope this helps.

[Colmarr]

The big question is, which Aegis will you be using?

If using Aegis of Assult, then you need Intelligent Blademaster at level 1. Need it. The only reason Aegis of Assault is dangerous is the thread of Opportunity Attacks, and it is worthless if you can't hit with them. Blade Opportunist and Combat Reflexes are good, as they give you anohter +3 to hit with your OAs, and they stack together.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Aegis of Assault allow the swordmage to make a basic attack, not an OA?

If so, neither Blade Opportunist nor Combat Reflexes apply.

[erikun]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Aegis of Assault allow the swordmage to make a basic attack, not an OA?

If so, neither Blade Opportunist or Combat Reflexes apply.

Oddly enough, I just had this conversation with a friend. And we determined that yes, the Blademaster's Aegis of Assault/Fighter's Combat Challange attacks were just basic attacks, not OAs. Intelligent Blademaster still works, but Blade Opportunist/Combat Reflexes (and Heavy Blade Opportunity) does not.

We also decided that if I was DMing, I'd houserule that they are OAs. That's total bunk.

[Inyssius Tor]

For private games I'm thinking of creating a magic item that lets him switch manifestations as a free action each round (maybe spend a Hero Point to do so, though).

There's a feat in the Ecology article linked above that lets you switch as a minor action (I think).

[DragonBaneDM]

c) Creating a new Epic Destiny so he can swap between elements is also a thought.

That's the part that interests me. A genasi epic destiny would by far be one of the coolest racial epics ever to be homebrewed.

I'd figure it'd be based around stuff like augmenting close blasts and bursts, since those powers are good for almost any class, and elemental power just seems to go well with explosions.

And nigh impenetrable resistance to any thinkable elemental damage is simply a must. Converting any damage type to the elemental type of your choice would also be cool for getting at trolls, mummies, magma beasts, and whatnot.

As for the utility, however, I've got no clue... Maybe something like allowing you to use all five Elemental Soul benefits at once? Hmm...

[fireinthedust]

I can't read the ecology article for some reason; my browser/firewall won't let me open adobe files unless I download them, and I can't figrue out how to stop it.
The feat sounds fun. Now how to fit it into a build...
My problem with Dragon not being in print is that I can't save up and buy backissues. Also I can't sift through them on the train or sneak them into work. :(

Epic Destinies bother me because there are only, like, three. Chosen is kinda a rehash of demigod, so what's the point? Hopefully they'll come up with more epic destinies. Maybe one where Genasi can become primordials or something, I dunno. By the time I manage to RPGA him to epic, one may have come out!
I'm basing the character off a M&M hero I've been playing for a while, so changing between manifestations is a big part of it.

Anyway: I can't wait until they think up manifestations for Abyssal Genasi, for villains. Ie: the elemental chaos that's been perverted by the abyss. Infernal pact, probably fire-based to start, and a feat tree that allows necrotic energy bonuses equal to Con modifiers.

I also expect eventual Necrotic, and by RPG psychology Radiant Genasi (paladins and clerics). That and Shadow, as FR has this need for shadowcasters and Netherese stuff.
I figure they'll be heroic tier feats with minor necrotic abilities, and a paragon path that goes with each energy type.

btb: when is the Deva and Goliath material coming out? They were mentioned, but I can't think of a source that's out yet. PHB2?

[DragonBaneDM]

Well, the goliath is on the front of the PHBII, so he's a guaranteed. As for the Deva, no clue whatsoever...

And after looking at my FRPG I realize that I just described the Elemental Tempest. Which makes me think: What else can we do with elemental stuff that Wizards hasn't done already in FRPG?!?!

Check Adventurer's Vault for Epic Destinies. There's some serious goodness in there.