There are no Spellblades I know of. There are Swordmages right now ;-) Basic to Forgotten Realms setting, I guess we'll see them pretty fast...
Its the same thing, just an old prestige class that showed up "slightly" renamed as a new class with 4e.
when you've played every version of D&D and release of the Forgotten Realsm from the 1st edition grey box to the 4th edition books like me.. details start to blur because they keep changing so many things.
Nope, spellblades are fundamentally different. It's mainly about armor penalty reduction from what I remember. Swordmages are more similar to Dusk Blades, Hexblades or Elven Bladesingers ;]
Nope, spellblades are fundamentally different. It's mainly about armor penalty reduction from what I remember. Swordmages are more similar to Dusk Blades, Hexblades or Elven Bladesingers ;]
Fraid not mate, the Spellblade PRC was all about casting spells through a melee weapon it was nothing to do with armor penalty it was released in one of the issues of the Dragon mag, although I couldn't tell you the specific issue no. off the top of my head. I believe you can still find the PRC on the D&D wiki though as it was OGC.
not to be confused with with the SpellSWORD which was a melee spellcaster PRC in Complete Warrior that dealt with reducing spell fail chance while in armor, which is what I think you are thinking of and not what I am referring to.
And the forgotten realms Swordmage is essentially the same thing as the Spellblade PRc was which is why thier names get muddled and equate to the same thing in my head. I.e a person who channels magic through thier melee weapon.
Fraid not mate, the Spellblade PRC was all about casting spells through a melee weapon it was nothing to do with armor penalty it was released in one of the issues of the Dragon mag, although I couldn't tell you the specific issue no. off the top of my head. I believe you can still find the PRC on the D&D wiki though as it was OGC.
Actually... That may be "Wizard of the Spiral Tower" Paragon Path you want to look at then, as it allows a Wizard to use a Longsword as their arcane implment instead of a wand, staff, rod, etc.
Will have to dig through the old Dragon issues but that *may* be close to what you want, a Wizard who wields a longsword rather then a Swordmage which is a fighter with a few magic tricks.
Actually... That may be "Wizard of the Spiral Tower" Paragon Path you want to look at then, as it allows a Wizard to use a Longsword as their arcane implment instead of a wand, staff, rod, etc.
Will have to dig through the old Dragon issues but that *may* be close to what you want, a Wizard who wields a longsword rather then a Swordmage which is a fighter with a few magic tricks.
I guess if they include multiclassing feats that will solve many of my "wants" but that paragon path sounds like a definite step in the direction im wanting too.
Druid havent seen a druid done well in any game, one that can shpeshift,spell cast and fight all of these things should be factored in to an awesome class, if done well
Druid havent seen a druid done well in any game, one that can shpeshift,spell cast and fight all of these things should be factored in to an awesome class, if done well
Its my understanding that druids do not shape shift in 4e they can have a pet though.
Its my understanding that druids do not shape shift in 4e they can have a pet though.
4E Core Druids (PHB2) have the Wild Shape ability still, and their spells are split between ones that require them to be in their Wild Shape to use or ones that are based around them standing back and controlling the flow of battle from range.
4E Essentials Druids (Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms) instead have an animal companion that is based upon the Season their druid embodies and instead of controlling the battlefield are largely buffers / healers.
The Essentials build of the Druid in "Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdom" makes Druids into another type of Leader/Healer and doesn't include Wild Shape as an ability but instead gives Druids an Animal Companion based upon which season they choose to embody.
You know, now that I think about it, that reminds me of a NPC of mine that would get the PCs into trouble sometimes because of her uncivilized nature.
Do you think that I will be able to get my toon naked and running by Neverwinter?
I wouldnt mind seeing barbarians get some love down the road. Paladins, too. But between the two, I'd say barbarian first, only because it is the more visually distinct of the two - we already have a class that runs around in big shiny armor, but no one running around in nothing but an dead animal's head for a hat.
4E Essentials Druids (Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms) instead have an animal companion that is based upon the Season their druid embodies and instead of controlling the battlefield are largely buffers / healers.
This^ is the type of druid I would like to play.
I know people love the shapeshifting stuff but personally I like looking at my character the way they are (I put a lot of effort on customizing their appearance; effort which is rendered moot if my main ability involves my character not looking how I want them to). If they added something like this as an alternate Druid class, I might consider making my main a Wicca-style druidess witch.
Here's hoping they add some stuff from the "Essentials" 4E books. Generic cleric be damned, let's have some base classes with different roles/flavour!
Despite any words I may have said in other posts/threads that might have hinted to the contrary, I'm actually with you on this. I'm kinda tired of generic cleric/divinely inspired toons. I want more flavor on my religious toons.
Paladins, Druids, and Bards have all been around since the days of Baldur's Gate, and thus, should probably be implemented before Warlocks, Sorcerers, and Favored Souls.
Once the above three have been implemented, then (in my opinion anyways) the monks, warlocks, and so on could/should be implemented.
The one thing about this game that trips me out the most, is that (so far at least) Paladins will not be among the playable classes on release. :eek:
The one thing about this game that trips me out the most, is that (so far at least) Paladins will not be among the playable classes on release. :eek:
That really is a shock considering how classic the Paladin is. I mean it is not D&D without some goody goody Paladin to annoy the party to death(I am being serious i have always enjoyed arguing with die-hard Paladin role-players).:(
Paladins, Druids, and Bards have all been around since the days of Baldur's Gate, and thus, should probably be implemented before Warlocks, Sorcerers, and Favored Souls.
Once the above three have been implemented, then (in my opinion anyways) the monks, warlocks, and so on could/should be implemented.
The one thing about this game that trips me out the most, is that (so far at least) Paladins will not be among the playable classes on release. :eek:
Actually they've been around a lot longer than that. I believe there were rules for Paladins and Bards (and also monks) way back in D&D Basic (though, I think that might have come up in later books after the initial release, but still way before Baldur's Gate). Still, I kinda agree that they should probably be implemented before any of those other classes (though, I'd really like to see some warlocks, but still...).
Paladins in particular are pretty iconic to the genre--not just D&D, but sword & sorcery fantasy in general--and Druids have become pretty popular (even outside of D&D) as well. If there is one class that they should add at launch (in addition to the ones they've already confirmed) its probably Paladins.
Does WOTC plan on adding yet more new classes to 4th ed? Possibly any OA ones like a Samurai or Ninja or no? Perhaps some of the classes already in game themematically fit those roles with their role and abilities anyway?
Swordmage is defenitely something they might want to look into, not just because of the setting, but because of it's different approach to tanking as opposed to the other defenders. As such, Warden is also a good choice.
As for controllers: you can still have the likes of Druids, Invokers.. maybe a psionic class. Wizards being in the game is obvious.
Additional strikers may come in the forms of Monks, barbarians (the single-target pain train with a group discount on the cleave cart), hunters, sorcerers, warlocks..
If they're following fourth edition as a baseline, you'll be seeing a lot of class combinations possible: paragon paths/epic paths are as diverse as they come, and like Bioware/Atari did in 1 and 2, they may add a few paths (prestige classes back then) to balance things out/smoothen the use of several features in the game. (think Arcane Scholar of Candle Keep in 2, for easier/better use of metamagic feats for the wizard)
Just my five cents on what they may still add. I for one am a fan of the swordmage and the barbarian. I play the latter, and the former has some interesting options.
Does WOTC plan on adding yet more new classes to 4th ed? Possibly any OA ones like a Samurai or Ninja or no? Perhaps some of the classes already in game themematically fit those roles with their role and abilities anyway?
Probably yes and no. They do not add lately classes with the same source and role, there are few exceptions, but that's unusual. Ninja or Samurai would have matrial or psionic source and there are strikers and defenders within those sources.
However, with the Essentials a basic class can become a different specialization. For example a Warlock can be instead a Hexblade, while a Cleric can be Battle Cleric. So if Ninja or Samurai will be added, then probably as such.
I really want them to follow the progression of the core books in the method and timing of release. Thus I would like to see the PHB1 finished before pulling from PHB2. I do like the idea of adding in some of the FRC book stuff in between though. SO something like this would be cool for me:
Classes:
We have: Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger
Next updates: Warlock, Warlord, Paladin
Then a FRC update: Swordmage, Spellscarred and the dark path for Warlocks
After that begin PHB2
And do the same with Races so we add what is missing from PHB1 first, add the FRC races next then go to PHB2.
Comments
Its the same thing, just an old prestige class that showed up "slightly" renamed as a new class with 4e.
when you've played every version of D&D and release of the Forgotten Realsm from the 1st edition grey box to the 4th edition books like me.. details start to blur because they keep changing so many things.
Fraid not mate, the Spellblade PRC was all about casting spells through a melee weapon it was nothing to do with armor penalty it was released in one of the issues of the Dragon mag, although I couldn't tell you the specific issue no. off the top of my head. I believe you can still find the PRC on the D&D wiki though as it was OGC.
not to be confused with with the SpellSWORD which was a melee spellcaster PRC in Complete Warrior that dealt with reducing spell fail chance while in armor, which is what I think you are thinking of and not what I am referring to.
And the forgotten realms Swordmage is essentially the same thing as the Spellblade PRc was which is why thier names get muddled and equate to the same thing in my head. I.e a person who channels magic through thier melee weapon.
Actually... That may be "Wizard of the Spiral Tower" Paragon Path you want to look at then, as it allows a Wizard to use a Longsword as their arcane implment instead of a wand, staff, rod, etc.
Will have to dig through the old Dragon issues but that *may* be close to what you want, a Wizard who wields a longsword rather then a Swordmage which is a fighter with a few magic tricks.
I guess if they include multiclassing feats that will solve many of my "wants"
Its my understanding that druids do not shape shift in 4e they can have a pet though.
4E Core Druids (PHB2) have the Wild Shape ability still, and their spells are split between ones that require them to be in their Wild Shape to use or ones that are based around them standing back and controlling the flow of battle from range.
4E Essentials Druids (Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms) instead have an animal companion that is based upon the Season their druid embodies and instead of controlling the battlefield are largely buffers / healers.
And who says they aren't fun to drink with? Languard Gemstrike (my online handle's namesake) loves raising a good tankard as much as anyone.
Do you think that I will be able to get my toon naked and running by Neverwinter?
At least barbarian fans have it easy. I'll consider myself lucky if I get to play (even if I have to pay) with a Psion or Battlemind. Ever.
This^ is the type of druid I would like to play.
I know people love the shapeshifting stuff but personally I like looking at my character the way they are (I put a lot of effort on customizing their appearance; effort which is rendered moot if my main ability involves my character not looking how I want them to). If they added something like this as an alternate Druid class, I might consider making my main a Wicca-style druidess witch.
Despite any words I may have said in other posts/threads that might have hinted to the contrary, I'm actually with you on this. I'm kinda tired of generic cleric/divinely inspired toons. I want more flavor on my religious toons.
i think would be a nice feature to NWN
Once the above three have been implemented, then (in my opinion anyways) the monks, warlocks, and so on could/should be implemented.
The one thing about this game that trips me out the most, is that (so far at least) Paladins will not be among the playable classes on release. :eek:
That really is a shock considering how classic the Paladin is. I mean it is not D&D without some goody goody Paladin to annoy the party to death(I am being serious i have always enjoyed arguing with die-hard Paladin role-players).:(
Actually they've been around a lot longer than that. I believe there were rules for Paladins and Bards (and also monks) way back in D&D Basic (though, I think that might have come up in later books after the initial release, but still way before Baldur's Gate). Still, I kinda agree that they should probably be implemented before any of those other classes (though, I'd really like to see some warlocks, but still...).
Paladins in particular are pretty iconic to the genre--not just D&D, but sword & sorcery fantasy in general--and Druids have become pretty popular (even outside of D&D) as well. If there is one class that they should add at launch (in addition to the ones they've already confirmed) its probably Paladins.
As for controllers: you can still have the likes of Druids, Invokers.. maybe a psionic class. Wizards being in the game is obvious.
Additional strikers may come in the forms of Monks, barbarians (the single-target pain train with a group discount on the cleave cart), hunters, sorcerers, warlocks..
If they're following fourth edition as a baseline, you'll be seeing a lot of class combinations possible: paragon paths/epic paths are as diverse as they come, and like Bioware/Atari did in 1 and 2, they may add a few paths (prestige classes back then) to balance things out/smoothen the use of several features in the game. (think Arcane Scholar of Candle Keep in 2, for easier/better use of metamagic feats for the wizard)
Just my five cents on what they may still add. I for one am a fan of the swordmage and the barbarian. I play the latter, and the former has some interesting options.
Probably yes and no. They do not add lately classes with the same source and role, there are few exceptions, but that's unusual. Ninja or Samurai would have matrial or psionic source and there are strikers and defenders within those sources.
However, with the Essentials a basic class can become a different specialization. For example a Warlock can be instead a Hexblade, while a Cleric can be Battle Cleric. So if Ninja or Samurai will be added, then probably as such.
Classes:
We have: Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger
Next updates: Warlock, Warlord, Paladin
Then a FRC update: Swordmage, Spellscarred and the dark path for Warlocks
After that begin PHB2
And do the same with Races so we add what is missing from PHB1 first, add the FRC races next then go to PHB2.