Author Topic: Swiftblade Handbook  (Read 51666 times)

Offline Hallack

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Swiftblade Handbook
« on: November 07, 2011, 09:50:52 AM »
Originally by AEDAN on the WoTC site 

The Swiftblade Handbook


Index
About the Swiftblade Prestige Class
Prestige Class Features
Entry Classes
Attributes
Races
Skills / Skill Tricks
Spell Choices
Desirable Equipment
Sample Builds
Feats
ACF's
Reports from the Field
Specific Strategies

The Swiftblade Prestige Class can be found on the Wizards of the Coast Website.

Important links from other threads:
Character Build Spotlight: Gish 
Optimizing a Swiftblade
Swiftblade
The Swiftblade PrC
New Free Prc on the WOTC site, the Swiftblade
Swiftblade
Swiftblade!
Swiftblade (Reborn)
Tuning a Swiftblade
Critique My Swiftblade
Help with AbjChamp/Swifblade build - ArcherBroke Link
Kobold/Swiftblade Tweaks
Gestalt Swiftblade Build

Special Thanks To:
Authors Kolja Liquette and Brian Moran
Dictum Mortuum for the template
« Last Edit: August 12, 2014, 10:38:29 AM by Hallack »

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2011, 09:51:41 AM »

About the Swiftblade Prestige Class

The Swiftblade PrC has undergone numerous evolutions from its initial conception as was first posted on the WoTC website. Due to an enormous amount of player feedback, the authors decided to change some key elements of the PrC in order to make it a more desirable option for players. The current model of the Swiftblade is very attractive to Gish "like" characters due to it's empowerment of the haste spell and movement like abilities. The Swiftblade PrC includes 10 levels with abilities at each level. It is my opinion that martial and caster classes can benefit from 3 or more levels of this PrC to significantly improve and optimize their abilities.

Entry Requirements

BAB: +3
Skills: Concentration 6 Ranks, Spellcraft 6 Ranks.
Spellcasting: Ability to cast haste.
Feats: Dodge, Mobility.
Weapon Proficiency: Proficient with at least one martial weapon.
Special: Must have spent the entire previous level using all 3rd level spell slots to exclusively cast haste.

Note from the designer:
Quote
Sonofapreacherman wrote:

Speaking from an intent perspective (which I know counts for very little in the optimized forums) the idea is for the swiftblade candidate to use all spell slots (of the level in which haste is gained) to cast haste. The Dungeonscape book did not exist when Brian and I originally created the swiftblade, leaving us completely unaware of the trapsmith prestige class when it was finally released. If we had been aware, the special prerequisite would have read...

Special: Must have spent the entire previous level using all spell slots of the level in which haste is gained to exclusively cast haste.

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2011, 09:53:28 AM »

Prestige Class Features

The "Good"

1. "Good" - Full BAB progression over 10 levels.
2. "Good" Reflex and Will Saves.
3. Special abilities and feats at each level. Some are new abilities/feats and other abilities increase in power as you progress through the 10 levels.
4. Decent skill points per level (4 + Int modifier/level)
5. Decent selection of class skills that help both melee and caster classes. (This is expanded in the skill /skill tricks section)

The "Bad"
1. "Poor" Fort Save - Probably the most important save for melee characters, especially with save or die spell effects
2. "Moderate" Hit Die - Same as Rogues - d6, survivability becomes an issue without the hit points to survive hard hits. Although it is better than a standard wizard or sorcerer the low hit die is offset by some of the special abilities of the class to avoid melee and spell attacks.

The "Ugly"
1. Loss of 4 Caster Levels out of 10, -4/10 CL - probably the most significant drawback of the PrC. The lack of these caster levels makes it hard to justify a full progression of 10 levels for most optimized characters.

Class Special Abilities and Features
(Rankings on the class abilities and features per level are BLUE for super good/excellent, GREEN for good/average, and RED for poor/below average.)

Level 1 - You gain the Spring Attack feat - progressing your movement abilities from your prerequisite feats of DODGE and MOBILITY.

Level 1 - Swift Surge +1/+0 ft.(EX) - gain +1 to attack rolls and a dodge bonus to AC and reflex saves (+2 at 7th level). 4th level gain +10 enhancement to all movement modes and deal and additional 1d6 damage on your weapon in which you move at least 10 ft (+20 and 2d6 at 10th level).

Level 1 - First loss of caster level out of 10 (-1 CL/10)

Level 2 - Blurred Alacrity (EX) - gain 20% miss chance against melee and ranged attacks while under the haste spell that you cast. Increases by +10% at 3rd, 4th and 5th level. Fantastic ability. At 5th level you have essentially have a 50% miss chance all the time. (Go first in the round from Arcane Reflexes (around +2 to +8 Dependant on initiative), then cast haste as a free action, then do your regular standard action and move action)

Level 3
- Sudden Casting (EX) - Cast the HASTE spell as a free action once per round (as per quicken spell without using higher level slots)

Break Point #1

This is the first natural break point for dipping into this PrC. Due to the loss of a caster level at 4th level and three good abilities so far, some builds will take advantage of only three (3) levels of the Swiftblade class enhance their synergy from their melee feats. This break point is recommended for more martial characters due to the penalty of loss of a caster level and qualifying into the class with two non-caster feats.

Level 4 - Arcane Reflexes (EX) - Receive a competence bonus on initiative equal to your arcane spellcasting ability modifier. Eg. If your arcane spellcasting is Dependant on INT, and you have a 18 INT, then add +4 to your initiative rolls in addition to other bonuses. Amazing ability. Potentially more valuable that improved initiative feat.

Level 4 - Second loss of caster level out of 10. (-2 CL/10)

Level 5 - Evasive Celerity (EX) - While under the effect of a Haste spell you cast yourself, you gain a 20% miss chance against spells and spell like effects that specifically target you. This bonus increases by +10% at 6th, 7th, and 8th level. Amazing ability. Similar to Blurred Alacrity.

Level 6 - Fortified Hustle (EX) - Your Haste spell that you cast cannot be dispelled by any means. It is a unique ability, but in the large picture of game play it will rarely be taken into consideration. Arguments could be made that say this is an absolute godsend of an ability, but I personally think that this ability would be most advantageous at higher levels of play rather than the mid levels.

Break Point #2
This is the second natural break point of this PrC. A 6th level dip (Large Dip) into this Prc will net you with quite a few unique abilities with only the loss of two caster levels. This breakpoint may be desirable for characters who focus more on their martial skills and abilities. In addition, casters that stop here can ensure that they achieve 18th CL and have a good array of spells to power their class.

Level 7 - You gain the Bounding Assault feat. Make an extra attack on a spring attack. (PHB2, pg 75) Possibly rated as Red. If your character is more melee like, then this ability is decent. Otherwise, casters and gishlike characters could probably benefit from a better ability than this.

Level 7 - Third loss of caster level out of 10. (-3 CL/10)

Level 8 - Diligent Rapididy (EX) - Become immune to effects that impede movement (as Freedom of Movement pg 233 PHB) while under the effects of your own haste spell. Also you can move across placid water by expending two move actions. Freedom of movement abilities are really some of the most important abilities in the entire game. No grappling, no web, no hold person...etc.

Level 9
- Perpetual Options (EX) - Ability to sacrifice and extra attack at the highest BAB to make either one extra move action or one extra standard action. WOW! Truely and amazing ability. Cast two spells in a round without applying a metamagic feat!!!

Break Point #3
This is the last natural breakpoint of the PrC and is probably the most important decision that you will make regarding this class. Ultimately you will need to decide on whether you want the time stop ability (Innervated Speed) or 9th level spells. Some builds will be able to achieve +17 BAB/17 ACL and can get to 9th level spells if and only if you stop at 9th level of the Swiftblade PrC. If your character is designed more as a melee character, you could go for all 10 levels of the Swiftblade PrC. This would net you 8th level spells or less and an absolutely amazing 9th level ability (Time stop - Innervated Speed) as early as 16th level. The choice to take the final level in the Swiftblade PrC can seriously impact the playability of your character at high level play where the ability to use and cast 9th level arcane spells may the most powerful ability of any class (Shapechange, Time Stop, Wish ... to name a few).

Level 10 - Innervated Speed (EX) - Prepare or spontaneously cast Haste in a 6th level spell slot to mimic the effects of a modified TIME STOP spell to 1 round only. Increase the spell slot level to 7th (2 rounds), 8th (3 rounds) or 9th (4 rounds) and increase the duration of the TIME STOP. See above explanation as to why this is green.

Level 10 - Fourth loss of caster level out of 10. (-4 CL/10)


Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2011, 09:53:56 AM »

Entry Classes


There are many class options that may make entry into this PrC desirable. Some options are listed below and are indicated as standard, non-standard, and unique ways of getting into and optimizing the benefits of this PrC. Also, if characters are elven, this will qualify them for the martial weapon proficiency. (See Races below)

Standard Ways of Entry

Bard 7 (+5 BAB, 3rd Level Spells w/chr bonus spell - to cast haste, and martial weapon proficiency)
Bequiler 6 (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, and proficiency with Rapiers and Short Swords)
Factotum 8 (+6/+1 BAB, arcane dilettante for 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, and martial weapon proficiency)
Sorcerer 6 (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste)
  • Battle Sorcerer 6(+4 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, and martial weapon proficiency)
  • Stalwart Sorcerer 6 (CMage p35) (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, martial weapon proficiency, plus weapon focus with a weapon and extra 2 hit points per sorcerer level)
Wizard 6 (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste)

Non-Standard Ways of Entry

Fighter 1/Wizard 5 (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, and martial weapon proficiency)
Factotum 5/ Trapsmith 1 (+3 BAB, Cast haste off the Trapsmith spell list, and martial weapon proficiency)
Crusader 1 or Warblade 1 /Wizard 5 (+3 BAB, 3rd Level Spells - to cast haste, and martial weapon proficiency, qualifies for Jade Phoenix Mage) [/font]

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2011, 09:54:17 AM »
Attributes
Blue = Best, Green = Needed, Red = Dump it

For Intelligence Based Arcane Casters

* Strength: Most melee Swiftblades will need a minimum of 13 here for power attack. Otherwise in between 10 and 12 is average for the caster swiftblades.
* Dexterity: Higher priority than strength due to dodge and mobility prerequisites to get into the Swiftblade class. Minimum of 13 here.
* Constitution: This boosts your hit point total and constitution saves. Absolute must for any character. Due to your low hit die, you need all the HP's you can in order to survive in melee combat.
* Intelligence: Number one priority, try to make this stat your max. Start with a minimum of 16 here. This also depends on your point buy methods. If you have a low point buy, make it 15.
* Wisdom: Dump stat. Leave it at 8 or put 2 points into it so that you don't have a penalty to your Will save.
* Charisma: Dump stat. Leave this at 8

For Charisma Based Arcane Casters
Switch Intelligence for Charisma and leave intelligence at a 10 so that you do not have a penalty to your skill points.

Special Note: Character builds that use minimal levels of arcane spellcasting may desire to increase their physical abilities more than their arcane spellcasting stat. This is particularly useful for minor dips into the Swiftblade PrC (3 levels). Martial builds may desire a higher strength score to effectively use power attack and increase their damage potential.


Samples


Sample Elite Array and 28 point buy for a 1st Level Gray Elven Wizard that would like to qualify for the Swiftblade later in his Career.
Elite Array
Str: 12(10 GE)
Dex: 13 (15 GE)
Con: 14 (12 GE)
Int: 15 (17 GE)
Wis: 10
Chr: 8

28 Point Buy
Str: 14 (12 GE)
Dex: 14 (16 GE)
Con: 14 (12 GE)
Int: 16 (18 GE)
Wis: 8
Chr: 8

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2011, 09:54:46 AM »

Blue = Desirable Race, Green = Playable, Red = Please don't even go here!

Standard PHB Races
(click to show/hide)

NOTE:
If you desire, you can pay more experience to reduce the level adjustment on certain races. The link to this information can be found at d20SRD LA Buy Off.

Races of ... Books

Dragon Races
(click to show/hide)

Wild Races
(click to show/hide)

Stone Races
(click to show/hide)

Destiny Races

(click to show/hide)

Forgotten Realms Races
(click to show/hide)

Eberron Races
(click to show/hide)

Other Races
Place Holder for additional races

Racial Substitution Levels
(click to show/hide)

Racial Summary

Best Races are: Human, Elf (Gray), Illumians, and Dragonwrought Kobold

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2011, 09:56:37 AM »
Alternative Class Features

For Sorcerer Swiftblades

Divine Champion (CChamp p51): Taken at 1st level. Replaces your familiar to provide an intangible and invisible creature. You can cast a spell into the creature to store the energy to be used later on at your command. It provides you with the following:
Healing (Su): Convert stored energy into 1d6 points of healing per stored spell level
Shielding (Su): As a swift action, you can order the creature to protect you. It will provide a deflection bonus and a resistance bonus on saves equal to the number of stored spell levels, or as many levels as you designate (up to the maximum currently stored). It lasts 1 round per arcane caster level you possess.

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2011, 09:56:54 AM »
Skills / Skill Tricks

Blue = Best, Green = Useful, Red = No Ranks here please.

Standard Swiftblade Prestige Class Skills:

Skill points = 4 + Int modifier per level

By the time you enter into the Swiftblade PrC, you will be 7th level in most instances. Assuming you start with a 16 Intelligence and put your 4th level and 8th level ability point into intelligence you will have a modifier of +4 to your skill points. This will give you approximately 8 total skill points per level in which to purchase ranks. If you choose human as your starting race, add one more per level for a total of 9 skill points in which to purchase ranks. Most optimized Swiftblades will finish with the Abjurant Champion PrC. There is no skill rank pre-requisite for it.

If you choose the Sorcerer entry for the Swiftblade PrC, you will have less skill points over all and will really need to specialize your training for skill points. Assuming that you have a 10 intelligence and are human, you will only have about 5 points to train your ranks for skills during the Swiftblade levels. You will have only about 3 skill points during your entry levels.


Swiftblade PrC Skills

  • Balance: Put at least 5 ranks into this skill.
  • Craft: Not necessary for this PrC, unless Artificer/Swiftblades. Alternatively, you may be able to max out a craft skill due to your excess of skill points. If you do, you can make exceptional items that you can sell to enchanters (Arcane/Divine casters) who have specific item creation feats, or use yourself if you have those feats. Craft wonderous item feat could be exploited.
  • Concentration: Max this skill out, as you are primarily a arcane caster.
  • Gather Information: Why do you need this when you have magical spells that are far more superior.
  • Jump: Put a minimum of 5 ranks in this skill to add a synergy bonus to the tumble skill.
  • Knowledge (Arcana): Put a minimum of 5 ranks in this skill to add a synergy bonus to the Spellcraft skill.
  • Listen: A decent skill to have, but not necessary if you are low on skill points.
  • Profession: Not necessary.
  • Spot: A good skill to have for determining surprise and specific information about the area you are in. Max ranks here.
  • Spellcraft: Max this skill out.
  • Swim: Not necessary, use magic to augment your swimming abilites.
  • Tumble: Movement on and through the battlefield is very important for adequate positioning. Max this skill out.

Summary: Minimum of 4 max ranked skills: Concentration, Spot, Spellcraft, and Tumble. Put the other skill points into your minimums and/or use them in cross class skills. If you have the able learner feat this opens up more options for you.

Use Magical Device may be important to have ranks in if you want to use divine items.



The Swiftblade PrC has a total of 12 skills in which to purchase ranks on a one-to-one basis. Of the available skills, they share the following with:
(click to show/hide)

Skill Tricks  Complete Scoundrel
Learning a skill trick costs 2 skill points.
(click to show/hide)

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2011, 09:57:33 AM »
Feats

In order to qualify for the Swiftblade Prc, you need to have martial weapon proficiency, Dodge, and Mobility. Combat Casting is needed for the Abjurant Champion PrC. A typical Elven "Gish" Blade will have a total of 7 feats. Some builds could get as high as 10 feats. Here are some other feat suggestions.

Standard Players Handbook Feats

Combat Casting: Pre-requisite for Abjurant Champion

Combat Expertise: Useful for improving your AC while you get into a better position. Your higher BAB will enable you to make expertise attacks with some degree of accuracy. Not a tier one choice, but an option if you have a martial build.

Dodge: Pre-requisite for Swiftblade

Mobility: Pre-requisite for Swiftblade

Improved Initiative: Important for many reasons, notably going first, casting haste, and then doing what you do best.

Leadership: Important for Sorcerer or bard Swiftblades due to their higher charisma score.

Martial Weapon Proficiency: Important to have if you do not have a martial class in your build in order to qualify for the Swiftblade PrC.

Power Attack: Important for "melee" Blades with wraithstrike and arcane strike. 13 Strength pre-requisite.

Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus: Very good for Swiftblades that focus on a particular school of magic. Illusion/Enchantment schools can benefit from this feat and are important for increasing the DC of your spells.

Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration: More for higher level campaigns where every other monster or NPC needs to have their spell resistance overcome. Also useful for beguiler swiftblades who don't get their 20th level ability: Cloaked Casting.

TWF: Feat intensive tree but "Melee" Blades could make this work with their bonus feats from the fighter
ToB classes.

Metamagic: Empower: Very useful if your Swiftblade is designed on dealing more damage through spells.

Metamagic: Extend: Very useful if your Swiftblade is designed on having longer buff durations.

Metamagic: Maximize: If you have feats to burn and you are a primary damage dealer, use this feat to maximize your spells effectiveness (fireballs etc...) or rays (enfeeblement etc...) The drawback is increase slot prep. Sorcerers may pull this off better due to their increased amount of spells usable per day.

Metamagic: Quicken:
+ 4 increase means that you will can still get off a 5th level spell as a quick action. Usually you will win initiative. If you do not desire to cast haste as a free action, cast your quickened spell (increased damage, buff, escape, etc..) and then follow up with another spell. Sample spells could be to decrease a subjects saves and then cast a save or die spell. Highly useful.


Feats from other sources:


Able Learner (RoDes p150): Makes it easier to keep certain class skills maxed out like disable device and use magic device (For Human Beguiler/Swiftblades)

Arcane Disciple (CDiv p79): One of the best ways to expand on your spell list in addition to allow to use wands and arcane scrolls of those spells. However it only allows you to cast each spell once a day and requires a decent wisdom score, a stat you'd normally dump, and a wisdom boosting item.

Arcane Strike (CWar p96): Amazing feat to convert a spell into physical damage. A must have feat.

Dragonwrought (RotDragon): Very useful when combining Venerable Kobalds with the sorcerer base class to increase ability scores. You need the Slippers of Battledancing to pull off this combination though as your physical abilities will be quite weak (-4 Str).

Expeditious Dodge (RotWild pg 150): A tier one choice. chose this over the PHB dodge. At higher levels with spring attack you will regularly be moving more than 40 ft. in a single turn. The +2 bonus will really make a difference. Best of all, you can substitute this feat for the dodge feat for meeting the requirements of the Swiftblade PrC.

Practiced Spellcaster (CDiv p82): Raise CL by +4. really good due to the loss of CL's that a 10th level Swiftblade endures.

Snap Kick (ToB p32): Combine with bounding assault to gain 3 attacks (-2 attack this round). Especially useful with arcane strike on spring attacks. Only drawback is that it also requires Improved Unarmed Strike as a prerequisite.

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2011, 09:57:51 AM »
Spell Choices

Most desirable spells/per level:

(click to show/hide)

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2011, 09:58:06 AM »
Desirable Equipment

For All Swiftblades
(click to show/hide)


For Intelligence Based Swiftblades.

(click to show/hide)

For Charisma based Swiftblades.
(click to show/hide)


For Specialized Swiftblades
(click to show/hide)

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2011, 09:58:24 AM »
Sample Builds

"Gish" Blades
(click to show/hide)

"Skirmish" Blades
(click to show/hide)
"Paladin" Blades
(click to show/hide)

"Sing" Blades
(click to show/hide)

"Skill" Blades
(click to show/hide)

"Spring" Blades
(click to show/hide)

"Battle" Blades Tome of Battle Builds

(click to show/hide)

Offline Hallack

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Re: Swiftblade Handbook
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2011, 10:53:47 AM »
Discuss the Swiftblade Handbook HERE

I rearranged the bits into a manner I thought made more sense this time in porting.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2011, 09:07:44 AM by Hallack »