5e Swordmage homebrew.

[bloodshed343]

Swordmage

Class Features:
Hit Die 1d10
Hit Points at First Level: 10+con modifier
Hit points at later levels: 1d10 (or 6) + constitution modifier per Swordmage level.

Proficiencies:
simple weapons
Longswords, rapiers, scimitars, shortsword.
light armor
medium armor

Starting Equipment
(a)Chain Shirt or (b)Leather Armor
(a)Two Scimitars or (b) Longsword
(a)An Explorer's Pack or (b)a Scholar's Pack
A dagger and 20 darts.

Save proficiencies: intelligence and constitution.

Tool Proficiencies: none.

Skill Proficiencies: choose two from arcana, history, investigation, survival, athletics, or perception.

Spell caster ability: Intelligence.

Spell focus: you may use any weapon you are proficient with as a focus for your spells.

Blade Chant: You have learned to compel reality with the rhythm of your blade and a soft chant. You recover all of your spell slots after a short or long rest.



Level
Proficiency Bonus
Features
Spells Known
Spell Slots
Spell Slot Level
Focus Points
Eldritch Strikes Damage



1
+2
Insightful Dodge, Eldritch Strikes, Blade Chant
2
1
1st

1d8


2
+2
Swordmage Warding
3
2
1st
2
1d8


3
+2
Discipline Feature, Sword Bond
4
2
1st
3
1d8


4
+2
Ability Score Improvement
5
2
2nd
4
2d8


5
+3

6
2
2nd
5
2d8


6
+3
Grimoire of the Soul
7
2
3rd
6
2d8


7
+3
Discipline Feature
8
2
3rd
7
2d8


8
+3
Ability Score Improvement
9
2
3rd
8
3d8


9
+4

10
2
4th
9
3d8


10
+4
Discipline Feature (Student of Malediction)
10
2
4th
10
3d8


11
+4

11
3
4th
11
3d8


12
+4
Ability Score Improvement
11
3
4th
12
4d8


13
+5

12
3
5th
13
4d8


14
+5

12
3
5th
14
4d8


15
+5
Discipline Feature
13
3
5th
15
4d8


16
+5
Ability Score Improvement
13
3
5th
16
5d8


17
+6

14
4
5th
17
5d8


18
+6

14
4
5th
18
5d8


19
+6
Ability Score Improvement
15
4
5th
19
5d8


20
+6
Reclaim Soul
15
4
5th
20
6d8





Eldritch Strikes: As an action, you may make a spell attack with a weapon with which you are proficient. This is a melee spell attack if used with a melee weapon or a ranged spell attack if used with a ranged weapon. This attack deals 1d8 + your intelligence modifier force damage. This damage increases as you level, as shown in the Eldritch Strike Damage column of the table.

Soul bond: At 3rd level, you learn to implant a piece of your soul into a weapon, making it an extension of your self. By meditating with a weapon for 1 hour, you can attune yourself to it. You can only be attuned to one weapon at a time. A weapon you are attuned with is considered magical. As a bonus action, you can store an attuned weapon in a secure extra dimensional space or retrieve it from said space. You may also call an attuned weapon to your hand from up to 500 feet away as an action.
Your choice of discipline determines which weapons you may be attuned to.

Swordmage Warding: At 2nd level, you gain Swordmage Warding. Your Warding Level is equal to one-third of your Swordmage level, rounded down, with a minimum level of 1. You also gain a number of focus points which you may use to augment your ward. You recover focus points on a long rest.

Insightful Dodge: Once per short rest, you may use your reaction to add your wisdom modifier to a dexterity save that you make. Additionally, when you are not wearing heavy armor, you may use your wisdom modifier in place of your dexterity modifier to determine your ac.

Grimoire of the Soul: At 6th Level you create a magical Grimoire that is linked to your mind. The grimoire and the chains which bind it to you contain a piece of your soul. The grimoire cannot be destroyed or forcefully separated from you while you are alive. The grimoire contains all the knowledge you have collected. You have advantage on skill checks to remember information while you hold the grimoire.
You can also inscribe spells in the grimoire. When you create the grimoire, select two first-level spells that have the ritual tag from any class' spell list and add them to your grimoire. You may cast these spells as rituals. In addition, you may inscribe spells that have the ritual tag with a level no greater than one half of your Swordmage level and cast those spells as rituals.

Reclaim Soul: Once per long rest, you may spend one minute reclaiming power from the piece of your soul imbued in your blade. You recover one-quarter of your hit points, 2 spell slots, and 10 focus points.

Spell/Ward list:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JdHA8KaseHJZso0aiFApNu3u_sZga8f-aWjNdMziZl8/edit?usp=sharing

Sub Classes:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-xQC7l35xMA0S2_6nBA4k2S8jnJaj2hqb0XiG8bhmtI/edit?usp=sharing

[silveralen]

Alright, few critiques/questions

1. How powerful are these buffs going to be? Having them lack concentration is a big deal. Tread carefully. Given he already has medium armor he will be barely more fragile than any other frontline combatant.

2. By similar to warlock casting, do you mean the 2-4 slots per short rest with a cap of lvl 5? Or are you also including some access to lvl 6-9 as warlock gets later on.

3. I'd avoid flat attack bonuses myself, they aren't needed this edition and it's something they stayed away from in most cases. It might be worth considering having the bonded weapon treated as under the effects of a magic weapon spell (of the highest level the character can cast), as this would prevent it from stacking on an already magic weapon.

4. Letting him make melee attacks with intelligence makes him very SAD (especially with medium armor prof and fewer concentration saves), which puts him miles ahead of the other caster/melee combos (ranger, paladin, monk/fighter to an extent). That needs to go.

[bloodshed343]

I really want to keep eldritch strikes.

I think I should drop the armor proficiency to light.

The buffs will all add a +2 bonus to ac, give damage resistance to a certain type based on constitution modifier, and at higher levels have another effect. I was thinking they should require a free hand to maintain.

And yes, I was thinking that casting would cap at 5. I was thinking of adding a feature which allowed access to 6th-9th level spells as rituals.

I was also thinking that most of the spells should be concentration buffs. I was planning to make the class int/con/wis.

[bloodshed343]

These newest changes should make it happier (less SAD)

[silveralen]

The new version looks pretty decent, needing some investment in con and wisdom to hit peak efficiency works well, and helps the character overall as solid saves there make things much easier. Helps make up for intelligence being underwhelming this edition.

For eldritch strike, are you adding your spellcasting attribute to the damage as well, adding your normal ability score to the damage as appropriate for the weapon, or adding only con from the elemental blade feature?

Overchannel is interesting. It effectively reads as a more complicated sneak attack, with you effectively needing to confirm the extra damage with a second attack.

It's very unique in how it fights to be sure, I think it looks about right, it might need some play testing (and the power is very dependent on the spell list and warding spells) but just a quick eyeballing has it not too far off.

[bloodshed343]

I was thinking of using str for damage, but that might make it too MAD. I don't think it will be overpowered to have int for damage.

I'll write the wards up soon. I have the spell list made and just need to post it.

[bloodshed343]

I forgot that resistance works differently in 5e. I'll rewrite all the ward spells accordingly later.

[bloodshed343]

After some calculations I found that the characters damage was low compared to... well, everything. Replacing overload with extra attack.

[Giant2005]

This class is immensely powerful.
Firstly the proficient saves are pretty wrong - you can't give someone two common saves like that. Each class gets one of Wisdom, Dexterity and Constitution and one of the other saves. You can't give him both Con and Wis.
Secondly, Elemental Blade and Extra Attack are just plain crazy. Giving him an extra ability score worth of damage is okay but giving him up to an extra ability score x3 is way too far. Giving it to him as low as level 5 also breaks the standard within the game. Combining it with extra attacks is another no-no. If you are going to give him extra damage on his attacks, you can't give him more than two attacks per attack action.

Also... What exactly are the Wards? Do they use spell slots or something or can you spam them as much as you like? If they were of limited use (as often as Battlemaster Maneuvers seems reasonable) and a much shorter duration (1 minute tops) then most of them would be okay. Even if they have limited uses, I'd be pretty tempted to just throw away all of the level 17+ ones. Not only are they incredibly powerful but between them and everything the class already offers, you are pretty much rendering every other class in the game obsolete.

[bloodshed343]

The wards have their own slot and the slots refresh on a long rest.

I added a paragraph explaining how wards work.

I'll give him con/int saves instead.

Edit: brought back overload in place of extra attack.

Compared to an eldritch knight at 16th level, the Swordmage:
does less damage
has lower ac
is more MAD
has better spellcasting.
Has some damage resistance.

And that's assuming you max int, con, AND wis.

[Giant2005]

Compared to an eldritch knight at 16th level, the Swordmage:
does less damage
has lower ac
is more MAD
has better spellcasting.
Has some damage resistance.

Eldritch Knight damage: 1D10+5 x3 attacks +1D4+5 (Polearm Mastery bonus attack) = 38 average damage
Swordmage damage: 1D10+20+4D8 x1 attack +1D4+20+4D8 (Polearm Mastery bonus attack) = 84 average damage
Eldritch Knight AC: 18 (Plate) or 20 with shield
Swordmage AC: 19 (Light or medium armor with maxed Wis + ward)
Eldritch Knight prime attributes: Int, Str/Dex, Con
Swordmage prime attributes: Int, Wis, Con

The Swordmage is pretty much superior at everything but the only thing that is really out of control is the damage and of course those level 17+ Wards that makes level 9 spells look lame by comparison.

[bloodshed343]

Ahh, I did my calculations with a great sword and great weapon mastery, which had the fighter at 67 damage and the mage at 54.5. I suppose the overload needs to have a once per turn clause.

I'll tone down the wards at 17+.

Edit: man oh man that bonus attack from polearm mastery breaks the balance hard. I'll add a clause so that you only get the bonus damage on standard action attacks and/or limit the proficiencies and damage to one-handed weapons.

[bloodshed343]

With these changes the average damage of a Swordmage is 42.5. As cool as a polearm wielding mage would be, it's easier to balance a long sword or rapier.

EDIT: these latest changes allow a Swordmage to dual wield trading their warding for more damage. The damage for a dual-scimitar Swordmage is 60 at level 16.

This means that the Swordmage has similar survivability and damage to a rogue when dual wielding (well, less damage, but slightly tougher) and has similar damage/survivability to an eldritch knight with a ward (either slightly less damage and slightly tougher or slightly more damage and slightly squishier depending on if the fighter uses a shield. )

If I make subclasses, one will be a dpr centric dual wielder with enhanced mobility, one will be a tank focusing on wards, and one will have more casting capability.

[bloodshed343]

Bump. Made some changes. Added subclasses.

[Yakk]

I think 9th level spells is too much for the concept.

Reduce to paladin-level spellcasting, or maybe a touch better. This is supposed to be a front-line "champion" type, and as such should not also be a full spellcaster "sage".

Costing the ward for dual wielding sort of sucks. The dual wielding specialization should somehow get the ward back: balance should be tweaked based on that assumption. Either that, or the ward should be a subclass feature that the dual wielding specialization doesn't get. Similarly the second weapon attunement should be the dual wielding subclass.

Limit attunement to swords. Subclasses that bond to other weapons can exist.

I would think about swapping charisma for wisdom as a secondary stat.

Full ritual casting is decent. But like I said, not full other spellcasting.

Elemental blade was deleted, but is still referenced.

Overload as a second attack seems meh. You have to swing, hit, then you have to overload attack again? Lots of conditionals there.

As noted, your resists are all broken.

"Improved X" meh. "Spiderclimb ward" meh, not a ward.

I would find things more interesting if there was a good reason to constantly shift your ward up in combat. So...

Wards refresh on a short or long rest. You can discharge your ward to do (effect X). As an action or as a bonus action after discharging your ward, you can cast another ward.

Now we can tie some of your damage budget into your ward discharges. As your wards known increases, you gain more instances of that damage boost per short rest.

[bloodshed343]

What's the max spell level which would be appropriate? 8th? 7th?

I'll update the post to include that soul bonding adds a damage type to your melee attacks and that overload uses this damage type. I'll remove the second attack on overload and just make it extra damage.

And yeah, it's hard coming up with wards.

[bloodshed343]

And thanks for looking it over

[ThatKreacher]

This looks very interesting and I'm excited to see how it turns out! But I do have some general nitpicks.

First of all, sword bond needs more precision in regards to which weapons you can bond with. A great sword qualifies for it but you aren't proficient with them. Maybe specify scimitar, rapiers, longswords and shortswords(i think those are the intended recipients of the bond)?

Also, looking at it is a little difficult for me, it all blurs together. Perhaps bold or underline the class abilities?

Very excited to see how it turns out!

[bloodshed343]

Thanks. Updated sword bond to indicate that you must be proficient with the weapon to bond with it.

[bloodshed343]

Updated all the wards. They might be op.

[bloodshed343]

Added a new subclass.

[bloodshed343]

Considering making this a 1d10 hit die like the paladin. It does recover spell slots on a short rest, but it also has fewer slots and a more restrictive spell list. And medium armor. And no shields. I think it should be 1d10.

[Iolo Morganwg]

AFB right now, so I can't look up the name of the feat, but if a Swordmage picked up the x4 weapon proficiency feat, would one of those weapons qualify for Sword Bond? It's called Sword Bond, but refers to the generic term "weapon" six times in the text, but then refers to "sword" once, specifically requiring that "You may only attune to swords with which you are proficient."

At what level can a Swordmage bond a sword? At level one, a magical elemental sword seems, on the surface at least, too much. Maybe it is not, as I'm thinking about blade pact warlocks and EKs, but can't remember when they get their weapons.

Hypothetical situation: Level three Swordmage, 16 Int, longsword, attuned for fire. +5 to attack? +3 Damage? Is the +3 damage fire as well?

Ever Present Ally: does this work only against weapon attacks?

Still digging in to the rest!

[bloodshed343]

AFB right now, so I can't look up the name of the feat, but if a Swordmage picked up the x4 weapon proficiency feat, would one of those weapons qualify for Sword Bond? It's called Sword Bond, but refers to the generic term "weapon" six times in the text, but then refers to "sword" once, specifically requiring that "You may only attune to swords with which you are proficient."

At what level can a Swordmage bond a sword? At level one, a magical elemental sword seems, on the surface at least, too much. Maybe it is not, as I'm thinking about blade pact warlocks and EKs, but can't remember when they get their weapons.

Hypothetical situation: Level three Swordmage, 16 Int, longsword, attuned for fire. +5 to attack? +3 Damage? Is the +3 damage fire as well?

Ever Present Ally: does this work only against weapon attacks?

Still digging in to the rest!

As long as those 4 weapons were swords, they would qualify for swordbond. Or you can ignore the sword part and bond with any weapon you are proficient with. The change was initially implemented to stop an unbalancing combination with the elemental blade feature that is now in the elemental dervish subclass and polearms to deal massive damage with polearm mastery. Now you do lots of damage with dual-wielding.

Swordbond is a level 1 feature. It changes all damage to the chosen type. I never considered it OP, since other casters get various elemental attacks at level 1.

Ever-present Escort is meant to only work with weapon attacks. As worded, I think you can throw your shield using intelligence for the attack, but I may need to add a clause clarifying it.

Thanks for looking it over.

[Iolo Morganwg]

The elemental part didn't seem op, just it being a magic weapon. Bladelock gets it at 2, Paladin at 5, Moon druid and Monk ar 6, EK at 7, Valor Bard at 10.

Getting a magic weapon right out of the gate, especially coupled with regular casting, seems op.

[Iolo Morganwg]

Also, it looks like this class doesn't have the Extra Attack class feature, so that tempers things a bit.

[bloodshed343]

Ahh. The weapon isn't actually magical. It's only considered magical for immunities and resistances. It's still a mundane sword in all other respects.

I think the warlock feature gives you an actual magic weapon.

Edit: the warlock feature functions similarly, but gives you automatic proficiency in any weapon of your choice and creates the weapon for free while sword bond is limited to weapons with which you are already proficient and requires an already existing weapon. Since blade lock is basically the same but with a feat and a free weapon thrown in 2 levels later, I'd say it's okay, especially since being magic offers absolutely no bonuses those first two levels.

[bloodshed343]

Yeah, this class uses overload and the elemental blade feature of the elemental Dervish subclass for damage. It can reach pretty high numbers while dual-wielding if you don't have a ward up. I'm still tinkering with student of Malediction because I don't like it yet.

[Iolo Morganwg]

...It's only considered magical for immunities and resistances...

This is what I think is OP for a first level gish.

That said, so far in the 5E games I've run, this probably wouldn't have been a show stopper. Maybe just some pangs of jealousy :)

My players did have a hell of s time against three perytons though, (resistant to non-magical normal damage.) Fourth level party of five lost a member since all the melees were only doing half damage.

Changing the subject, how would Swordmage fit into 5E's multi-classing rules?

[bloodshed343]

The best advice I can give when it comes to multitasking Swordmage is "don't". However, I guess they'd be like the warlock, but you'd also gain proficiency in one handed martial swords and medium armor. Dipping far enough to get Elemental Blade from elemental Dervish would be great for a twf fighter. Dipping for ever-present escort is great for a sword and board pally or fighter.

I need to rework Student of Malediction.

I'm adding a fourth subclass that focuses on further casting.

[bloodshed343]

This is what I think is OP for a first level gish.

That said, so far in the 5E games I've run, this probably wouldn't have been a show stopper. Maybe just some pangs of jealousy :)

My players did have a hell of s time against three perytons though, (resistant to non-magical normal damage.) Fourth level party of five lost a member since all the melees were only doing half damage.

Changing the subject, how would Swordmage fit into 5E's multi-classing rules?

I don't think there are any creatures of cr 1 or 2 that have that resistance. By the time you fight creatures with that resistance, the blade lock will have his feature. Also, you shouldn't be fighting creatures that have that resistance on a regular basis.

[Leuku]

The Swordmage isn't meant to be a half-caster like the paladin, it's meant to be a "3/4 caster". Not as good at casting as a warlock, not as good in melee as a paladin. I was hoping to make it somewhere in the middle.

Can you help me think of a feature to replace elemental blade and Unbreakable? I'm thinking maybe a bonus action dodge/disengage for the dervish and... I don't know what to replace Unbreakable with.

I really want to keep Dragon's Teeth. Maybe I can make it x times per short rest.

I'll replace the expanded ward with the ability to cast a ward on an ally instead of yourself x times per day.

Making a half between a full-caster and a half-caster; Not Easy. Very not easy. To do so, you have to dramatically reduce the number of class features you get. Why? Because instead of class features you get access to higher level spell slots.

Look at the different types of casters in the books: Fighter subclasses get a massive number of subclass-specific features - at 3rd, 6th, 10th, 15th, and 18th, as well as the greatest number of ability score improvements in the game.

The Paladins and Rangers get slightly fewer features, in exchange for natural access to spell slots - They have fewer ability score improvements and have subclass features only at 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 20th (1 fewer than the Fighter). They lose out on 9th, 13th, and 17th, because that's when they get new slots.

The Warlock, Wizard, Sorcerer subtype features are basically a dearth of class feature gain. Nothing except spell slots on 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th, with slight variation between them depending on their spellcasting differences. And from their subclasses they gain only 4 subclass features, the last one of which always appears in the mid 3rd tier rather than late game 4th tier, which limits how strong they can be.

And you want to make a half between Paladin/Ranger and Warlock/Wizard/Sorcerer?

Well, first off you'll have to limit spell slots to as high as 7th level, because that's halfway in between 5th and 9th.

Next you'll have to figure out at which levels it gains access to new spell slot levels.

Using that as a template, then you get to figure out when its Core class features appear and when its Subclass features appear.

Then we go from there.

So it's not so much that you need help balancing specific features; it's that you have to completely overhaul the base structure of your class.

My recommendation? Use a half-caster build. Swordmages sound like half-casters.

[bloodshed343]

Making a half between a full-caster and a half-caster; Not Easy. Very not easy. To do so, you have to dramatically reduce the number of class features you get. Why? Because instead of class features you get access to higher level spell slots.

Look at the different types of casters in the books: Fighter subclasses get a massive number of subclass-specific features - at 3rd, 6th, 10th, 15th, and 18th, as well as the greatest number of ability score improvements in the game.

The Paladins and Rangers get slightly fewer features, in exchange for natural access to spell slots - They have fewer ability score improvements and have subclass features only at 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 20th (1 fewer than the Fighter). They lose out on 9th, 13th, and 17th, because that's when they get new slots.

The Warlock, Wizard, Sorcerer subtype features are basically a dearth of class feature gain. Nothing except spell slots on 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th, with slight variation between them depending on their spellcasting differences. And from their subclasses they gain only 4 subclass features, the last one of which always appears in the mid 3rd tier rather than late game 4th tier, which limits how strong they can be.

And you want to make a half between Paladin/Ranger and Warlock/Wizard/Sorcerer?

Well, first off you'll have to limit spell slots to as high as 7th level, because that's halfway in between 5th and 9th.

Next you'll have to figure out at which levels it gains access to new spell slot levels.

Using that as a template, then you get to figure out when its Core class features appear and when its Subclass features appear.

Then we go from there.

So it's not so much that you need help balancing specific features; it's that you have to completely overhaul the base structure of your class.

My recommendation? Use a half-caster build. Swordmages sound like half-casters.

Hmm..

It's currently capped at 5th level, like a half-caster, but it works like the warlock spell slots. Without access to higher level spells through mystic arcanum. Also the level of the slots progresses more slowly than warlock. So this is not as good as warlock but better than paladin. To balance the better casting, I've added less dpr features like extra attack and paladins aura. I'll have to revise the levels these features come into play though.

I also need to revise the spell list.

[Leuku]

I'll wait on baited breath to see what you come up with.

It is a supreme challenge to build an entire class from the ground up in a manner that is balanced.

WOTC spent years on building their class structures.

I spent weeks building my Bowmaster which follows the same structure as the Fighter.

You're embarking on the challenge of building an entirely new class structure.

Pelor's speed with you!

[bloodshed343]

Okay! I've now set up the table so that no class feature comes at the same level as a new level of spell slot. One of the sub-classes gets an extra feature at level 10. Need some help with its level 15 feature.

[Leuku]

Swordmage Warding sounds like it should come online at level 2. Most martial-style classes gain their primary mechanic features at level 2. Cunning action for Rogues, Action Surge for Fighters. Reckless attack for Barbarians, Ki for Monks, Spellcasting and Fighting Style for Paladin and Ranger. Remember, you have spell slots from Level 1, even though it's only one; Wards more than make up for the low amount of spell slots.


Insightful Dodge: At 3rd level, once per short rest, you may use your reaction to add your wisdom modifier to a dexterity save that you make. At 8th level you may do this up to twice between short rests and at level 13 you may do this 3 times between rests. Additionally, when you are wearing light or medium armor, you may use your wisdom modifier in place of your dexterity modifier to determine your ac.

Have you read my critique regarding the awkwardness of being able to substitute your AC Dex modifier with Wis at level 3?


Overload: At 6th level, once per turn, when you hit with a melee attack with a weapon you are attuned with, you may overload the elemental energy channeled through your weapon dealing 2d8 extra damage. This increases to 3d8 at 11th level and 4d8 at 16th level.

Have you seen my critique regarding the damage output of Overload as compared with the Cleric?


Reclaim Soul: Once per long rest, you may spend one minute reclaiming power from the piece of your soul imbued in your blade. You gain the benefits of a short rest, except you only regain 2 spell slots.

Why does your capstone feature have nothing to do with your Wards? Aren't Wards the primary feature of the Swordmage?

Also, have you looked in to at all how terribly inflexible the Ward mechanic system is?

I'll wait for you to update your subclasses before I address them.

Also, thinking about the hectic bickering in the "Double Standard Wizards" thread about martials not having shiny things and my recent notion to change Restraining Shot on my Bowmaster in to a 10foot cube ranged weapon saving throw thing made me think about making a Martial with Shiny Things.

Namely: Fighter Subclass - Demoman, Soldier of grenade fighting.

[Leuku]

Regarding 15th level features:

The Warlock gets a Mystic Arcanuum improvement at 15th level, so it's useless to us for comparison!

Hmm. Well usually classes get class-specific multi-attacks past 10th level. Or a class feature improvement. Defensive features usually come online in 2nd tier, but you already gave the Swordmage a defensive feature at level 3. Hmm.

What about a Grimoire improvement? You just give him a Grimoire at level 6 but then do nothing with it ever again.

Also, about your wards, I feel that learning two additional wards every time you can learn new wards is a bit jarring. Would you consider making it climb more incrementally? 1 new ward learned rather than 2? Having access to 10 wards just sounds like you have too many ward options to begin with.

[bloodshed343]

Swordmage Warding sounds like it should come online at level 2. Most martial-style classes gain their primary mechanic features at level 2. Cunning action for Rogues, Action Surge for Fighters. Reckless attack for Barbarians, Ki for Monks, Spellcasting and Fighting Style for Paladin and Ranger. Remember, you have spell slots from Level 1, even though it's only one; Wards more than make up for the low amount of spell slots.



Have you read my critique regarding the awkwardness of being able to substitute your AC Dex modifier with Wis at level 3?



Have you seen my critique regarding the damage output of Overload as compared with the Cleric?



Why does your capstone feature have nothing to do with your Wards? Aren't Wards the primary feature of the Swordmage?

Also, have you looked in to at all how terribly inflexible the Ward mechanic system is?

I'll wait for you to update your subclasses before I address them.

Also, thinking about the hectic bickering in the "Double Standard Wizards" thread about martials not having shiny things and my recent notion to change Restraining Shot on my Bowmaster in to a 10foot cube ranged weapon saving throw thing made me think about making a Martial with Shiny Things.

Namely: Fighter Subclass - Demoman, Soldier of grenade fighting.

Hmm. I'll change Insightful dodge to a level 1 feature and change wards to level 2. I'm also reducing the duration of wards and letting them recharge on a short rest, so that the capstone gives your wards back.

Regarding the cleric damage feature vs overload: Cleric is a full caster with 9th level spells. Paladin is a half-caster with smite, overload, and the damage aura. I wanted overload to be in between Paladin and cleric for damage.

Anyway, I think the number of wards known is fine since you can only cast 5 per short rest, max, and they only last 10 minutes when I update them. They'll also cost an action to cast. Ideally, a player will want to use the overload feature of the wards once per combat without feeling punished for using it.

Edit: is grimoire of the Damned too powerful?

[Leuku]

Hmm. I'll change Insightful dodge to a level 1 feature and change wards to level 2. I'm also reducing the duration of wards and letting them recharge on a short rest, so that the capstone gives your wards back.

Edit: is grimoire of the Damned too powerful?

That's better. A bit more for concern though is the number of features at level 1. Most classes begin level 1 with about 2 features: Fighting Style and Second Wind. Spellcasting and Arcane Recovery. Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. Martial Arts and Unarmored Defense.

But your class starts out with 4 features: Eldritch Strike, Insightful Dodge, Sword bond (which is actually 2 features in 1), and Spellcasting.

Grimoire of the Damned: Frankly, the original Grimoire feature is nothing too spectacular to begin with; they're only rituals. It'd be fine to remove all damage for using inscribing rituals.

But the Helpless Creature thing: you're basically making a Thrall. That's pretty cool. The 1d6 psychic damage is really minor; not too worthwhile. I think there should be a cost to you for if the creature succeeds its saving throw. Something like you take 2d10 multiplied by the CR of the creature + 10. (2d10 x CR) + 10 damage. The minimum damage you can take from this feature is 2d10 + 10 damage.

On a fail you don't take damage and you enthrall the creature to your bidding for a number of days equal to your Charisma modifier, or something. The creature is considered Charmed by you, except it will even engage in behavior that is dangerous to its well being under your command. Once at the start of any short or long rest, it can attempt the saving throw again.


Regarding the cleric damage feature vs overload: Cleric is a full caster with 9th level spells. Paladin is a half-caster with smite, overload, and the damage aura. I wanted overload to be in between Paladin and cleric for damage.

What damage aura does a Paladin have? All I see are defensive auras. And what Paladin has Overload?

Your Overload feature is once per turn free 2d8 damage starting at lvl 6, 3d8 at 11th. Paladin Divine Smite consumes spell slots for its extra damage and Improved Divine Smite, which gives the Paladin its first free 1d8 per turn extra damage, only comes online at 11th level.

Your Overload is beyond both the Cleric and the Paladin in damage at a much earlier level.

Also, we might be confusing the 6th level Overload feature and the Swordmage's ability to overload his Wards. I have no problem with the Swordmage overloading his wards; that's pretty cool. I just have a problem with the 6th level Overload feature.


Anyway, I think the number of wards known is fine since you can only cast 5 per short rest, max, and they only last 10 minutes when I update them. They'll also cost an action to cast. Ideally, a player will want to use the overload feature of the wards once per combat without feeling punished for using it.

I'm not at all concerned about the number of times one can cast a ward. Rather, I'm concerned that there's simply too many Ward options. Look at the Trick Shots available in my Bowmaster - there are 9 total available Trick Shots and the Bowmaster will only ever know 5 of them.

Double the number of Trick Shots available and double the number the Bowmaster gets to know and you'll just have a cluttered mess of too much information.

Your Swordmage already has to keep track of spells, which in 5e is the most cluttered, time consuming thing you have to do. On top of those spells you have to throw in up to 10 known mildly complex Wards?

The way your Ward List is set up it looks more like 4e, with long lists of encounter powers for you to choose from. I would argue that that is generally against the design intent of 5e, which is to streamline class options while making each option distinct and powerful enough to dramatically change how you play your character depending on your choice. A Hunter Ranger with Colossus Slayer will fight very differently from one with Horde Breaker.

[bloodshed343]

I thought paladin had an aura for +cha to damage? Hmm. The overload bit was a typo. I'll change overload to 1/2/3d8.

And I'd prefer to use constitution instead of charisma for the grimoire of the damned. I'll say that maintaining the link causes a strain on your body.

And, also, are you saying I should have less wards that are more powerful? I was envisioning a sort of ward shuffle as you pick the best wards for each fight, overloading them at just the right time for a tactical advantage. The wards are meant to make up for the limited spell list. I wanted them to function like spells.

A lot of this class was in fact inspired by 4e.

Edit: Speaking of limited spell lists, is mine okay? I think I should focus it more. Maybe take out web and some of the buffs.

Edit 2: Should I bump Sword Bond up to third level? That way it gets its magic weapon at the same time as warlock. This of course interferes with the 3rd level discipline features. Hmmm...

[Leuku]

I thought paladin had an aura for +cha to damage? Hmm. The overload bit was a typo. I'll change overload to 1/2/3d8.

I'll list all of the available Paladin auras. I haven't looked at the Oathbreaker in the DMG yet.

Aura of Protection, Aura of Courage, Aura of Devotion, Aura of Warding, and the Oath of Vengeance paladin doesn't have an aura.

Ah, here's Oathbreaker: Aura of Hate - +Cha bonus to melee weapon damage of the Paladin and any fiends and undead within 10 feet. You were right, there is a Paladin that gets a cha mod bonus.

But I would not use an almost necessarily evil paladin subclass that DMs probably won't allow for most games unless with very specific reasoning as a basis for your foundational Swordmage class.

Regarding Overload: I think the 3d8 should come in at 17th level, the highest tier of play, rather than one before it. That brings it in line with wizard cantrips; Ex: Firebolt cantrip is 1d10 damage, and increases by 1d10 at 5th, 11th, and 17th.

Constitution for the Grimoire sounds good.


And, also, are you saying I should have less wards that are more powerful? I was envisioning a sort of ward shuffle as you pick the best wards for each fight, overloading them at just the right time for a tactical advantage. The wards are meant to make up for the limited spell list. I wanted them to function like spells.

A lot of this class was in fact inspired by 4e.

4e is the edition I started with and is the edition I'm playing now with my friends. We've been in it for a year and 2 months now. Swordmage is a really good class; I want to help you balance it with how 5e works, because 5e is straightforwardly dramatically different in how its power selection and scaling works.

In 5e, imagination is the root of most tactical advantage, not the mechanics within a specific spell; that's essentially the point of the Advantage/Disadvantage system.

Your ward list is most comparable to the Battlemaster. A long list of hefty paragraphs containing circumstantially advantageous tactics. At 15th level, the Battlermaster will know a total of 9 of those 16 maneuvers, 10 with a certain feat.

Differences: The Swordmage has different wards become available at different levels. The Battlemaster has all of his maneuvers available from the very beginning. That, I feel, is the clearest difference between 4e and 5e when it comes to "Shuffling". In 4e, you often feel compelled to optimize at certain levels, because certain encounter and daily powers only appeared at those levels. You could only ever have 1 power of a certain level, unless you chose to have 2 lower level powers when you could have instead 1 lower and 1 higher. But a Battlemaster has free reign to choose whatever maneuver suits him.

The spell slot system in 5e should be completely differentiated from the above. Spell slot resource consumption is a dramatically different beast than the encounter/daily power consumption of 4e.

Your wards appear too circumstantial and inflexible. What if your Swordmage is spending a day fighting on a fire mountain? Within a 10 minute time span, he'll probably have 1 or at most two combat encounters. The one ward that guards against fire will be used up for that time period; then all his other wards become neutrally effective to almost useless until his next short rest. Which could be anywhere from 1 to 4 more encounters away.

From a design standpoint, I feel wards should be more designed like Maneuvers. Not from an effect standpoint, but from a structural standpoint. Make all wards available at level 2. Balance them against one another. Make them last 1 minute, and when you use a ward you don't exhaust that specific ward, you merely exhaust one use of wards in general.

If you want higher level wards, then make higher level wards consume more uses of wards in general. Like how higher level monk abilities consume more Ki points. I'm doing the same for a Fighter Subclass Grenade specialist I've started working on.


Edit: Speaking of limited spell lists, is mine okay? I think I should focus it more. Maybe take out web and some of the buffs.

It does look like you need to focus more. I'm not the best judge of spell lists; I've barely spent any time studying spell lists. But it looks like your Swordmage has access to more spells at every level than the Warlock, and the access to the same or greater number of spells than the Paladin. Basically, you're better than a Paladin at spell access, and a Paladin is better at spell access than a Warlock. For only up to level 5 spells.

Regarding Flame Ward: Change the 6d6 increase from 20th level to 17th level. 20th level is reserved for Capstone features, not minor power ups to features that need to scale.

[bloodshed343]

The original idea is that you don't consume wards. You get [int modifier] ward slots per short rest that function just like spell slots, in that you can cast 5 different wards or cast one ward 5 times. Is there a way I can word that to make it more clear?

Anyways, the main reason for having higher level wards is that some of them cast higher level spells. I could make all of them have around 1st Level spell features that scale, but to me this is boring. Also, I really really like Trollskin.

I'll keep working on the features.

PS: check out the subclasses when you get a chance to make sure I have the wording clear on some things. I made Dragon's Teeth at-will but lowered it's damage to 1d6 with no mods.

And thanks a bunch for all your help.

Edit: Narrowed down the spell list to 8/7/6/5/4 spells of level 1 through 5 respectively. Limited the spell list to damage and mobility/defensive buffs, with haste, wall of stone, and two conjure spells being the outliers. I consider conjure Elementals to be a damage spell, though. I've also removed the overload mechanic and baked the extra damage into Swordbond (1d6 at ninth and 2d6 at 17th).

[Leuku]

Np. I'm going to eat breakfast and run some errands. I'll check that up in a bit.

[bloodshed343]

Np. I'm going to eat breakfast and run some errands. I'll check that up in a bit.

Take your time.

Edit: here's a small list of changes:
-overload removed. The damage is built in to the sword bond feature and is lower.
-Wards had a big functionality overhaul. They are now all available by level 10 and scale with level. Some might need to be tweaked down.
-Sword bond moved to level 3. Grimoire moved to level 6. Discipline Feature moved to level 5. You get a discipline feature at 3, 5, 7, and 15 with an extra one at 10 for the student of malediction. You get class features at 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 17. You gain new spell levels at 4, 6, 9, and 13.

[Leuku]

The original idea is that you don't consume wards. You get [int modifier] ward slots per short rest that function just like spell slots, in that you can cast 5 different wards or cast one ward 5 times.

There's nothing wrong with the mechanic of having X number of ward uses dependent on an ability score; that's what the Bard does with Inspiration die. I don't like how it's all tied to the same ability score, though: Intelligence for spellcasting, number of wards, AND melee weapon attacks? Throws the Bard under the bus.

What IS problematic is the fact that each ward is equivalent to a level 2 to 4, potentially higher, Abjuration spell, and you're getting up to 5 of them every short rest. That's like having five 4th level slots that refresh on short rests, which is ridiculous.

So I recommend streamlining your wards, making them simpler, and in simplicity gain a bit more power. Make a long list of wards that are available to him at 2nd level that only give +2 AC, only Con mod reduction, only elemental resistance, etc. Then at higher levels he automatically gains access to higher level wards like Trollskin, but higher level wards consume more uses of wards. Like a Monk and Ki points. Which is why I advocate a system more like Ki points rather than the Int mod per level thing you've got.


Anyways, the main reason for having higher level wards is that some of them cast higher level spells. I could make all of them have around 1st Level spell features that scale, but to me this is boring. Also, I really really like Trollskin.

Btw, Trollskin's overload is really, really weak. 6d4 hp? The average healed is 12 to 15. You know what else can heal around that much HP? Lvl 1 Fighter feature Second Wind. Make it 6d8 healing, minimum. That's 24 average. A 17th level Swordmage with +3 in Con mod using average hit die should have 157 HP.


PS: check out the subclasses when you get a chance to make sure I have the wording clear on some things. I made Dragon's Teeth at-will but lowered it's damage to 1d6 with no mods.

Send me a link to your subclass google doc that gives me comment power.

Edit: Narrowed down the spell list to 8/7/6/5/4 spells of level 1 through 5 respectively. Limited the spell list to damage and mobility/defensive buffs, with haste, wall of stone, and two conjure spells being the outliers. I consider conjure Elementals to be a damage spell, though. I've also removed the overload mechanic and baked the extra damage into Swordbond (1d6 at ninth and 2d6 at 17th).[/QUOTE]

Alright; sounds like it works.

[bloodshed343]

I'll tie the wards to wisdom modifier, then. I'll up the healing of Trollskin.

Edit 2: Eureka! Since all the wards are basically the same while cast, I can tie the overload mechanic of the wards to a resource like ki points, with higher level wards consuming more. This makes a very, very complex class, though, with two kinds of spell slots, two spell lists, and another resource as well. I like complexity, but this might be too much... hmm.. I suppose it isn't much more complex than the warlock's spells+mystic arcanum+invocations or a wild magic sorcerer. I'll tie the number of points you have to your constitution modifier + proficiency or your constitution score.

PS: how do I send you a link with comment rights?

Edit: I need your email address since I'm on my phone. It won't let me get a link. I could also copy/paste it here so you could comment.

[Leuku]

Edit 2: Eureka! Since all the wards are basically the same while cast, I can tie the overload mechanic of the wards to a resource like ki points, with higher level wards consuming more. This makes a very, very complex class, though, with two kinds of spell slots, two spell lists, and another resource as well. I like complexity, but this might be too much... hmm.. I suppose it isn't much more complex than the warlock's spells+mystic arcanum+invocations or a wild magic sorcerer. I'll tie the number of points you have to your constitution modifier + proficiency or your constitution score.

Just look at my Bowmaster. Trick point pool, Unique Ammunition pool, and Trick shot ability list. If my Bowmaster is not too complicated, then your Swordmage is not too complicated. Perhaps decrease the total number of spells you learn so that there is less for you to keep track of.

If you can make all of the wards fit on one page, then that will greatly ease up players for having to keep track of them.

Hmm. You said that all the wards are basically the same while cast. What if the Swordmage only had 1 ward? A simple ward that gives +2 to AC. And the things you spend Ki Points on are the variations of your ward, like Fire resistance and Con mod damage reduction. You start by knowing a couple variations and at higher levels learn more variations. Some variations, like Trollskin, are much stronger than the others, so consume more Ki Points.

Don't tie the number of points you have to any modifiers. I tried that with the Bowmaster; it doesn't work. Just use the monk ki point/sorcerer sorcery point system. They work.


PS: how do I send you a link with comment rights?

Edit: I need your email address since I'm on my phone. It won't let me get a link. I could also copy/paste it here so you could comment.\

Copy and paste it. Then delete your comment after I get it.

[bloodshed343]

Swordmage Subclasses:



Elemental Dervish:

Speed of Thought: At 3rd Level: You may use a bonus action to disengage on your turn. Your speed increases by 5 ft. You are also proficient with attacking with two weapons. You may be attuned to two weapons at once, and gain a bonus to the damage of your offhand attack equal to your wisdom modifier. You may also channel a ward while wielding a weapon in your offhand.

Force Parry: At 3rd level, you learn to repel ranged attacks with a blast of force. When you are hit by a ranged attack, you may use your reaction to reduce the damage you take by an amount equal to 1d10+your wisdom modifier+your Swordmage level.

Dragon's Teeth: You've learned to release the elemental power stored in your blade as a torrent of raw energy. At 7th level, when you take the attack action, you may instead unleash a torrent from your blades. For each blade you're wielding, an Elemental Torrent of the energy type you chose when you attuned to the weapon blazes out in a 15' cone. Each creature in either cone must make a dexterity save versus your spell dc to avoid taking 1d6 damage of the chosen type.

Mind Over Earth: At 15th level, you learn to unleash your magically instinctual to propel you over great distances. When you use the dash action, you may leap up to 80 feet horizontally and/or half that vertically instead of your normal movement. This does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Additionally, when you use a bonus action to make an attack with a weapon you're attuned with, you may jump up to 35 feet before or after making the attack. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Coronal Guard:

Unbreakable: At 3rd Level: You gain proficiency in shields. You may maintain a ward spell while wielding a shield, but you gain only half the bonus to ac from the shield while doing so. You may also treat a shield as a light weapon with the thrown (ranged 20/60) property that deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. You may attune to your shield as well as one other weapon. While holding a shield, enemies do not have advantage against you for being hidden. When you throw a shield you are attuned with, it returns to your hand unless something prevents it.

Ever-present Escort: You're at your ally's side, even when you're not. At third level, once per short rest, you may attempt to throw your shield to intercept an attack made against an ally. When an enemy makes a weapon attack against an ally within range of your shield throw, you may use your reaction to make a ranged attack against that enemy. On a hit, the enemy takes no damage, but the enemy’s attack against your ally misses and the enemy cannot make any more attacks this turn. At 9th level, you may do this twice per short rest. At 15th level, you may do this three times per short rest.

Unstoppable: At 7th level, while channeling a ward spell and wielding a shield, you have resistance to all damage except psychic damage, and you may use your reaction to add your constitution modifier to any saving throw you make to avoid being immobilized, restrained, stunned, petrified, charmed, frightened, or paralyzed.

Expansive Ward: At 15th level, you may cast a copy of the ward you are currently channeling on an ally once per short rest as a bonus action. It last for a number of minutes equal to your wisdom modifier and requires concentration.




Student of Malediction:

Hell's Implement: At 3rd Level: You gain proficiency with the glaive. You can bond with the glaive using your sword bond class feature. You may maintain a ward normally while wielding a glaive. While wielding a glaive you are attuned with, you deal bonus damage equal to your wisdom modifier with any spell or cantrip that does damage of the same type you chose when you attuned to the glaive.


Maledictor's Curse: Once per short rest, you may place your Maledictor's Curse on a target. This works as a 1st Level Hex spell. You may do this twice per short rest at level 9 and three times per short rest at level 15.

Fiendish Transference: At 7th level, when an enemy effected by your Maledictor's Curse dies, you recover one spell slot.

Secrets of Belial: At 10th level, you learn the following extra spells, and may cast them once per long rest at its lowest level without expending a spell slot:

Hellish Rebuke
Friends
Armor of Agathys
Suggestion
Hold Person

Grimoire of the Damned: At 15th level, you learn the secrets of the soul. Your connection to your Grimoire strengthens. You take only half normal damage when Inscribing spells to your grimoire. You have also learned to manipulate the souls of others. As an action, you may attempt to inscribe a helpless creatures essence into your grimoire. The creature makes a wisdom save vs your spell dc. On a failure, the creature is Damned. While under this effect, it is considered Charmed by you. You may order the creature to take dangerous actions, and it takes 1d6 psychic damage per the cr of the creature if it disobeys, with a minimum of 3 damage. This link strains your body and soul, so you may only maintain it for a number of days equal to your constitution modifier, after which the creature makes a save every day to end the effect. If the creature succeeds on a saving throw to avoid the effect, you take 2d10+10 necrotic damage. You take this damage plus an extra 2d10 per day the effect was sustained when the creature succeeds on a save to break the bond. You may sunder a soul stored in your grimoire as an action, dealing 10d10 necrotic damage to the creature, and breaking the bond. Only one soul may be inscribed this way at a time.

[bloodshed343]

Anyway: How do I add another column to my table for these ward points? Should I just replace the "Wards Known" with the point system and let the player learn all the wards? If a I did that, I could delete a few superfluous wards. That's what I'm gonna do.

[Leuku]

Not quite what I meant when I said post it here. I meant for you to click on the share button on the google doc at the top right, set the window that opens to create a link that allows comments, then to copy and paste that link here. Oh well.



Elemental Dervish:

Speed of Thought: At 3rd Level: You may use a bonus action to disengage on your turn. Your speed increases by 5 ft. You are also proficient with attacking with two weapons. You may be attuned to two weapons at once, and gain a bonus to the damage of your offhand attack equal to your wisdom modifier. You may also channel a ward while wielding a weapon in your offhand.

Everyone is proficient in attacking with two weapons. That's a lot of features coming in at 3rd level. Most archetypes usually give 1 or 2 features. This is 5 features. I would throw out the speed increase and the bonus action to disengage.


Force Parry: At 3rd level, you learn to repel ranged attacks with a blast of force. When you are hit by a ranged attack, you may use your reaction to reduce the damage you take by an amount equal to 1d10+your wisdom modifier+your Swordmage level.

Ok, well now that's 6 features instead of 5. I would throw this in at 7th level; you've already got enough at 3rd.


Dragon's Teeth: You've learned to release the elemental power stored in your blade as a torrent of raw energy. At 7th level, when you take the attack action, you may instead unleash a torrent from your blades. For each blade you're wielding, an Elemental Torrent of the energy type you chose when you attuned to the weapon blazes out in a 15' cone. Each creature in either cone must make a dexterity save versus your spell dc to avoid taking 1d6 damage of the chosen type.

Hmm. 1d6 damage? With such low damage, this feature doesn't seem worth it. Of course it does need to be weak to a certain extent because you can use it an unlimited number of times per day. What if you made it a Wis mod per short rest, and increased the damage to 3d8, half damage on a miss? Also, aren't you missing a 10th level feature? This could be 10th level.


Mind Over Earth: At 15th level, you learn to unleash your magically instinctual to propel you over great distances. When you use the dash action, you may leap up to 80 feet horizontally and/or half that vertically instead of your normal movement. This does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Additionally, when you use a bonus action to make an attack with a weapon you're attuned with, you may jump up to 35 feet before or after making the attack. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Rather than the weird 80 feet number, why don't you just make it so that whenever you take the dash action, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity? That's pretty strong already. I recommended earlier that you get rid of the plus 5 feet of movement, so I hope the extra movement you get for making a bonus action weapon attack is amended to 30 feet.


Coronal Guard:

Unbreakable: At 3rd Level: You gain proficiency in shields. You may maintain a ward spell while wielding a shield, but you gain only half the bonus to ac from the shield while doing so. You may also treat a shield as a light weapon with the thrown (ranged 20/60) property that deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. You may attune to your shield as well as one other weapon. While holding a shield, enemies do not have advantage against you for being hidden. When you throw a shield you are attuned with, it returns to your hand unless something prevents it.

I would throw out the "enemies do not have advantage against you for being hidden". You already have so many features here. And that's not including Ever-present Escort.


Ever-present Escort: You're at your ally's side, even when you're not. At third level, once per short rest, you may attempt to throw your shield to intercept an attack made against an ally. When an enemy makes a weapon attack against an ally within range of your shield throw, you may use your reaction to make a ranged attack against that enemy. On a hit, the enemy takes no damage, but the enemy’s attack against your ally misses and the enemy cannot make any more attacks this turn. At 9th level, you may do this twice per short rest. At 15th level, you may do this three times per short rest.

Ever-present escort sounds like something you should be able to do at 7th level. And if you make it 7th level, then make it Wis-mod per short rest.


Unstoppable: At 7th level, while channeling a ward spell and wielding a shield, you have resistance to all damage except psychic damage, and you may use your reaction to add your constitution modifier to any saving throw you make to avoid being immobilized, restrained, stunned, petrified, charmed, frightened, or paralyzed.

No Automatic Resistance To All Damage, even if psychic is the exception. Forget the resistance, just make it the Con mod saving throw bonus. And make it 10th level.


Expansive Ward: At 15th level, you may cast a copy of the ward you are currently channeling on an ally once per short rest as a bonus action. It last for a number of minutes equal to your wisdom modifier and requires concentration.

How about it lasts up till 1 minute and requires concentration? And you can do this a number of times per short rest equal to wis mod. And since we're probably going with a Monk Ki Point System, then let it be so that when you spend points to improve your ward, your ally gets the same improvement so long as he stays within 30 feet of you, though your ally cannot overload theirs, you can only overload your own ward and doing so ends both wards.


Student of Malediction:

Hell's Implement: At 3rd Level: You gain proficiency with the glaive. You can bond with the glaive using your sword bond class feature. You may maintain a ward normally while wielding a glaive. While wielding a glaive you are attuned with, you deal bonus damage equal to your wisdom modifier with any spell or cantrip that does damage of the same type you chose when you attuned to the glaive.

It's kinda lame how you're locking someone in to a single weapon. 4e, with its crazy specializations, did that. But 5e has done a remarkable job of not inspiring anyone to lock in to any particular weapon; they did that by making the proficiency bonus inherent to the character's level rather than part of the weapon.

Also, the Swordmage is commonly known to be a magical swordsman who typically fights with 1 hand on a blade and the other hand free. Yet with all three of your subtypes you've managed to completely do away with having 1 hand free. Has it occurred to you that none of your subtypes reflect an actual classical Swordmage?


Maledictor's Curse: Once per short rest, you may place your Maledictor's Curse on a target. This works as a 1st Level Hex spell. You may do this twice per short rest at level 9 and three times per short rest at level 15.

OK, sounds good.


Fiendish Transference: At 7th level, when an enemy effected by your Maledictor's Curse dies, you recover one spell slot.

I don't like it. It invokes a "Holy Abuse-able Exploit Batman!" response in me. For example, let's say you're a 13th level Swordmage with 1 use of Maledictor's Curse left. You've just used up a level 5 spell slot, and you really wish you could get it back. Maledictor's Curse is worth a level 1 spell slot. Hey, you see a bunny rabbit over there! MALEDICTOR'S CURSE followed up by BUNNY MURDER IN COLD BLOOD! There, now you get your 5th level spell slot back.


Secrets of Belial: At 10th level, you learn the following extra spells, and may cast them once per long rest at its lowest level without expending a spell slot:

Hellish Rebuke
Friends
Armor of Agathys
Suggestion
Hold Person

Am I reading this right? You automatically learn 5 spells just for reaching 10th level, and cast each of them once without expending a slot? Instead of doing this, have you considered using the Cleric's mechanic where depending on the domain a cleric chooses a number of spells at certain levels become added to their list of prepared spells without counting against their number?


Grimoire of the Damned: At 15th level, you learn the secrets of the soul. Your connection to your Grimoire strengthens. You take only half normal damage when Inscribing spells to your grimoire. You have also learned to manipulate the souls of others. As an action, you may attempt to inscribe a helpless creatures essence into your grimoire. The creature makes a wisdom save vs your spell dc. On a failure, the creature is Damned. While under this effect, it is considered Charmed by you. You may order the creature to take dangerous actions, and it takes 1d6 psychic damage per the cr of the creature if it disobeys, with a minimum of 3 damage. This link strains your body and soul, so you may only maintain it for a number of days equal to your constitution modifier, after which the creature makes a save every day to end the effect. If the creature succeeds on a saving throw to avoid the effect, you take 2d10+10 necrotic damage. You take this damage plus an extra 2d10 per day the effect was sustained when the creature succeeds on a save to break the bond. You may sunder a soul stored in your grimoire as an action, dealing 10d10 necrotic damage to the creature, and breaking the bond. Only one soul may be inscribed this way at a time.

I think this has been mathematically balanced poorly. Considering that the damage you take for the creature saving against your Enthrallment is dependent on the number of days its under your control rather than the CR of the creature, then you really have no incentive to keep the creature for longer than a day, at the end of which you will have the very good-for-you task of sundering the creature, dealing 10d10 damage with no risk or penalty to you.

I really recommend going back to what I wrote before when I first made my review of this ability.


How do I add another column to my table for these ward points? Should I just replace the "Wards Known" with the point system and let the player learn all the wards? If a I did that, I could delete a few superfluous wards. That's what I'm gonna do.

Not exactly. Make all of the wards available to the player, just as how all Metamagic options are available to a sorcerer, or how all Trick Shots are available to a Bowmaster, but you only get to choose to know a certain number of them, a number that increases when you reach certain levels. My Bowmaster can learn up to 5 total of the 9 available Trick Shots available.

For higher level Ward improvements, just have the Swordmage add them to his Known wards, meaning he can use them, but have them cost more Ward points to activate.

[bloodshed343]

Not quite what I meant when I said post it here. I meant for you to click on the share button on the google doc at the top right, set the window that opens to create a link that allows comments, then to copy and paste that link here. Oh well.




Everyone is proficient in attacking with two weapons. That's a lot of features coming in at 3rd level. Most archetypes usually give 1 or 2 features. This is 5 features. I would throw out the speed increase and the bonus action to disengage.



Ok, well now that's 6 features instead of 5. I would throw this in at 7th level; you've already got enough at 3rd.



Hmm. 1d6 damage? With such low damage, this feature doesn't seem worth it. Of course it does need to be weak to a certain extent because you can use it an unlimited number of times per day. What if you made it a Wis mod per short rest, and increased the damage to 3d8, half damage on a miss? Also, aren't you missing a 10th level feature? This could be 10th level.



Rather than the weird 80 feet number, why don't you just make it so that whenever you take the dash action, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity? That's pretty strong already. I recommended earlier that you get rid of the plus 5 feet of movement, so I hope the extra movement you get for making a bonus action weapon attack is amended to 30 feet.



I would throw out the "enemies do not have advantage against you for being hidden". You already have so many features here. And that's not including Ever-present Escort.



Ever-present escort sounds like something you should be able to do at 7th level. And if you make it 7th level, then make it Wis-mod per short rest.



No Automatic Resistance To All Damage, even if psychic is the exception. Forget the resistance, just make it the Con mod saving throw bonus. And make it 10th level.



How about it lasts up till 1 minute and requires concentration? And you can do this a number of times per short rest equal to wis mod. And since we're probably going with a Monk Ki Point System, then let it be so that when you spend points to improve your ward, your ally gets the same improvement so long as he stays within 30 feet of you, though your ally cannot overload theirs, you can only overload your own ward and doing so ends both wards.



It's kinda lame how you're locking someone in to a single weapon. 4e, with its crazy specializations, did that. But 5e has done a remarkable job of not inspiring anyone to lock in to any particular weapon; they did that by making the proficiency bonus inherent to the character's level rather than part of the weapon.

Also, the Swordmage is commonly known to be a magical swordsman who typically fights with 1 hand on a blade and the other hand free. Yet with all three of your subtypes you've managed to completely do away with having 1 hand free. Has it occurred to you that none of your subtypes reflect an actual classical Swordmage?



OK, sounds good.



I don't like it. It invokes a "Holy Abuse-able Exploit Batman!" response in me. For example, let's say you're a 13th level Swordmage with 1 use of Maledictor's Curse left. You've just used up a level 5 spell slot, and you really wish you could get it back. Maledictor's Curse is worth a level 1 spell slot. Hey, you see a bunny rabbit over there! MALEDICTOR'S CURSE followed up by BUNNY MURDER IN COLD BLOOD! There, now you get your 5th level spell slot back.



Am I reading this right? You automatically learn 5 spells just for reaching 10th level, and cast each of them once without expending a slot? Instead of doing this, have you considered using the Cleric's mechanic where depending on the domain a cleric chooses a number of spells at certain levels become added to their list of prepared spells without counting against their number?



I think this has been mathematically balanced poorly. Considering that the damage you take for the creature saving against your Enthrallment is dependent on the number of days its under your control rather than the CR of the creature, then you really have no incentive to keep the creature for longer than a day, at the end of which you will have the very good-for-you task of sundering the creature, dealing 10d10 damage with no risk or penalty to you.

I really recommend going back to what I wrote before when I first made my review of this ability.



Not exactly. Make all of the wards available to the player, just as how all Metamagic options are available to a sorcerer, or how all Trick Shots are available to a Bowmaster, but you only get to choose to know a certain number of them, a number that increases when you reach certain levels. My Bowmaster can learn up to 5 total of the 9 available Trick Shots available.

For higher level Ward improvements, just have the Swordmage add them to his Known wards, meaning he can use them, but have them cost more Ward points to activate.

I was on my phone, so I couldn't generate a link, I could only send it via email.

Anyway:

Elemental Dervish:

Speed of Thought: the proficiency with two weapons is flavor text. I followed your suggestion and took out some features.

Force Parry: this was changed to 7th level in the table but not in the document. Fixed.

Dragon's Teeth : This was changed to 10th level in the table but not in the document. Fixed. The damage is meant to be low because it's an at-will aoe, like ranger's volley, but I added that it improves at 17th level.

Mind Over Earth: kept the jumping but lowered the distance. Being able to jump over walls/chasms is the intention of this feature. It was originally a fly-speed-while-dashing, but I made it a force jump instead.

Coronal Guard:

Unbreakable: toned down the features.

Ever-present Escort: fixed the level.

Unstoppable: fixed the level, removed the resistance.

Expanded Ward: decreased ward duration.

Student of Malediction:

Hell's Implement: Removed the glaive bit.

Maledictor's Curse: added a cr restriction so that the enemy must be a meaningful threat to regain a spell slot.

Secrets of Belial: removed.

Grimoire of the Damned: added your bonus damage per CR to the initial save success. Kept the bonus damage per day. It should now be incredibly dangerous to keep a creature charmed, so that you should order it to do something you need done and then kill it.


About the wards: I don't know how to do the ward system you suggest without abandoning the overload mechanic, which is my favorite part of the wards. Well, I have an idea but it's a lot of work. Also if I get rid of ward slots I'll have to rework how the overload mechanic scales, since it currently scales with slot levels. Maybe I could have various overload effects for each ward at different point costs, but that's a lot of work. Hmm..

Edit: How's this:

Your Swordmage Warding requires an action to cast. It lasts for 8 hours. You may spend points to add effects to your ward, which last for 1 minute. You may only maintain a number of effects equal to your constitution modifier.

Overloading Effects: When you overload an effect, the effect ends.

Effects:
Hardened: Reduces physical damage taken. Overload to push back enemies.
Flame ward: Reduces fire resistance. Overload to cast Burning Hands at 1st level. You may spend up to 5 additional points to increase the spell level by 1 per point spent.

... etc etc.

OR:

Cast warding as an action, add effects with points, etc etc. Your Warding Level is equal to one half your Swordmage level, max 9.

Overloading, same.

Fire resistance: Spend 1 point to overload casting burning hands at a level equal to your warding level.

[bloodshed343]

New Ward system is up. Starting equipment is up. Cantrips are removed. Point costs for the new ward system may need to be tweaked, but otherwise the class is finally done.:smallbiggrin: