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There are those who spend much of their lives poring over ancient tomes and texts, unlocking the power of magic, and there are those who spend their time perfecting the use of one weapon, becoming a master without equal. The swordmage is at one time a student of both of these philosophies, while at the same time blending them into something entirely unique. The swordmage uses both spell and steel to devastating effect, casting spells and swinging blades with ease. Rising in power, the swordmage unlocks powerful techniques that allow him to merge his talents. At the pinnacles of power, the swordmage becomes a blur of steel and magic, a force that few foes would dare to stand against.
Alignment: Any
Armor Proficiencies: Light armor
Weapon Proficiencies: All simple and martial weapons
Skill Points/Level: 2 + Int
Class Skills: Arcana (Int), Athletics (Str), Concentration (Con), Cosmology (Int), Dungeoneering (Int), Insight (Wis), Linguistics (Int), Trade (Int), Warfare (Int)
Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Combat Magic, Light Armored, Casting, Cantrips | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Spellstrike, Breach +1 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - |
3rd | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Weapon Sigils | 4 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - |
4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Swordmage Talent | 5 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
5th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Bonus Feat | 5 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
6th | +4 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Breach +2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | - | - | - | - |
7th | +5 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Medium Armored Casting | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - |
8th | +6/+1 | +6 | +2 | +6 | Swordmage Talent | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - |
9th | +6/+1 | +6 | +3 | +6 | Greater Weapon Sigils | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | - | - | - |
10th | +7/+2 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Combat Magic Expertise, Breach +3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | - | - |
11th | +8/+3 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Bonus Feat | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | - | - |
12th | +9/+4 | +8 | +4 | +8 | Swordmage Talent | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | - | - |
13th | +9/+4 | +8 | +4 | +8 | Heavy Armored Casting | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | - |
14th | +10/+5 | +9 | +4 | +9 | Breach +4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | - |
15th | +11/+6/+1 | +9 | +5 | +9 | Superior Weapon Sigils | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | - |
16th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +10 | Swordmage Talent | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
17th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +10 | Bonus Feat | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
18th | +13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +11 | Breach +5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
19th | +14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +11 | Combat Magic Mastery | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
20th | +15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +12 | Swordmage Talent | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Combat Magic (Ex): At 1st level, a swordmage learns to cast spells and wield his weapons at the same time. This functions much like two-weapon fighting, but the off-hand weapon is a spell that is being cast. To use this ability, the swordmage must have one hand free or holding an implement (even if the spell being cast does not have somatic components), while wielding a light or one-handed melee weapon in the other hand. As a full-round action, he can make all of his attacks with his melee weapon at a –2 penalty and can also cast any spell from the wizard spell list with a casting time of 1 standard action (any attack roll made as part of this spell also takes this penalty). The swordmage provokes attacks of opportunity as normal when casting a spell in this manner, and must cast defensively in order to avoid these attacks of opportunity. A swordmage can choose to cast the spell first or make the weapon attacks first, but if he has more than one attack, he cannot cast the spell between weapon attacks.
Light Armored Casting (Ex): A swordmage gains proficiency in light armor if he isn’t already, and ignores the arcane spell failure chance from wearing light armor. This benefit does not apply to shields.
Cantrips: A swordmage can prepare a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells, each day, as noted on the table above under “Spells per Day.” These spells are cast like any other spell, but they are not expended when cast and may be used again.
Spellstrike (Su): At 2nd level, whenever a swordmage casts a spell with a range of “touch” from the wizard spell list, he can deliver the spell through any weapon he is wielding as part of a melee attack. Instead of the free melee touch attack normally allowed to deliver the spell, a swordmage can make one free melee attack with his weapon (at his highest base attack bonus) as part of casting this spell. If successful, this melee attack deals its normal damage as well as the effects of the spell. If the swordmage makes this attack in concert with the combat magic ability, this melee attack takes all the penalties accrued by combat magic melee attacks. This attack uses the weapon’s critical range (20, 19–20, or 18–20 and modified by the keen weapon property or similar effects), but the spell effect only deals ×2 damage on a successful critical hit, while the weapon damage uses its own critical modifier.
Breach (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, the swordmage can more easily overcome the spell resistance of any opponent he successfully injures with a melee attack. If you have injured an opponent with a melee attack, you gain a +1 bonus on your caster level check to overcome that creature’s spell resistance until the beginning of your next turn. This bonus increases by an additional +1 at 6th level and every four levels after.
Weapon Sigils (Su): At 3rd level, a swordmage learns how to imbue his weapon with arcane magic, enhancing its abilities. By spending 1 hour of uninterrupted time with his weapon, a swordmage can invest spell points to inscribe arcane sigils onto his weapon, granting it special abilities and enhancements of his choosing. These special enhancements function only for the swordmage that inscribed the sigils. The enhancements last until the swordmage chooses to erase the sigils or is slain. A swordmage can only enhance one weapon in this way at one time. If he attunes to another weapon, the sigils on the previous weapon disappear. Each sigil the swordmage places on his weapon requires a certain amount of spell points. The swordmage has a number of spell points equal to his swordmage level to spend on abilities. Each ability can only be purchased once unless its description says otherwise. The available enhancements are listed below:
Swordmage Talent: As a swordmage gains experience, he acquires specific talents that allow him to specialize in certain forms of arcane combat. Starting at 4th level, a swordmage gains one swordmage talent. He gains an additional swordmage talent for every 4 levels of swordmage attained after 4th level. A swordmage cannot select an individual talent more than once. The available talents are listed below:
Bonus Feat: At 5th level and again at 11th and 17th level, the swordmage gains a bonus combat, magic, metamagic, or maneuver feat. A swordmage must meet the prerequisites before taking the feat.
Medium Armored Casting (Ex): At 7th level, a swordmage gains proficiency in medium armor if he isn’t proficient already, and ignores the arcane spell failure chance from wearing medium armor. This benefit does not apply to shields.
Greater Weapon Sigils (Su): At 9th level, the swordmage learns how to infuse more magic into his weapon. Any weapon attuned to the swordmage has its special property capacity increased by +2. In addition, the swordmage now has access to the following abilities when attuning his weapon:
Combat Magic Expertise (Ex): At 10th level, the swordmage gains the ability to seamlessly cast spells and make melee attacks. Whenever the swordmage casts defensively while using the combat magic ability, he gains a bonus on his Concentration checks equal to his Intelligence modifier.
Heavy Armored Casting (Ex): At 13th level, a swordmage gains proficiency in heavy armor if he isn’t proficient already, and ignores the arcane spell failure chance from wearing heavy armor. This benefit does not apply to shields.
Superior Weapon Sigils (Su): At 15th level, the swordmage perfects the art of sigil inscription. Any weapon attuned to the swordmage has its special property capacity increased by +4. In addition, the swordmage now has access to the following abilities when attuning his weapon:
Combat Magic Mastery (Ex): At 19th level, the swordmage becomes a master of spells and combat. Whenever he uses his spell combat ability, he suffers no penalty on his attack rolls and does not need to make a Concentration check to cast the spell defensively.
The practice of merging both sword and spell together in combat was originally practiced by the high elves, who were known as bladesingers. Bladesingers see themselves more as artists than warriors, blending graceful swordplay and arcane magic together into a harmonious whole. The bladesinger has all the standard swordmage class features, except as noted below.
Race: High elf or half-elf Saving Throws: Poor Fortitude, good Reflex and Will Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Arcana (Int), Athletics (Str), Concentration (Con), Cosmology (Int), Dungeoneering (Int), Insight (Wis), Linguistics (Int), Trade (Int), Warfare (Int)
Class Abilities
Spells: A bladesinger casts arcane spells drawn from the wizard spell list just as the swordmage does, but loses access to the necromancy school and instead gains access to the enchantment school.
Bladesong (Ex): At 1st level, a bladesinger learns to cast spells and wield his sword at the same time. This functions much like two-weapon fighting, but the off-hand weapon is a spell that is being cast. To use this ability, the bladesinger must have one hand free (even if the spell being cast does not have somatic components), while wielding longsword, rapier, elven shamshir, or elven thinblade in the other hand. As a full-round action, he can make all of his attacks with his melee weapon at a –2 penalty and can also cast any spell from the wizard spell list with a casting time of 1 standard action (any attack roll made as part of this spell also takes this penalty). The bladesinger provokes attacks of opportunity as normal when casting a spell in this manner, and must cast defensively in order to avoid these attacks of opportunity. A bladesinger can choose to cast the spell first or make the weapon attacks first, but if he has more than one attack, he cannot cast the spell between weapon attacks. Replaces: Combat Magic
Combat Agility (Ex): At 2nd level, the bladesinger gains a +1 dodge bonus to his AC and CMD, with the bonus increasing by one at every four levels after 2nd level. A bladesinger loses this bonus when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load. Replaces: Breach
Bladesinger Talent: As a bladesinger gains experience, he acquires specific talents that allow him to specialize in certain forms of arcane combat. Starting at 4th level, a bladesinger gains one bladesinger talent. He gains an additional bladesinger talent for every 4 levels of bladesinger attained after 4th level. A bladesinger cannot select an individual talent more than once unless otherwise noted. The available talents are listed below: Advanced Learning (Ex): The bladesinger can add up to three spells to his spell list from the conjuration, divination, and necromancy schools, representing the result of broader magical studies. The spells must from the wizard spell list and of a level no higher than that of the highest-level spell the bladesinger already knows. Once the spells are selected, they are forever added to the bladesinger’s list and can be used just like any other spell on his list. Arcane Aegis (Su): The bladesinger can expend one of his swordmage spells as an immediate action to gain damage reduction equal to twice the level of the spell sacrificed. The damage reduction lasts until the start of the bladesinger’s next turn and cannot be overcome by any type of weapon. Arcing Spellstrike (Ex): Once per day when the bladesinger successfully hits a target with a spellstrike, the bladesinger can target a number of enemies within 15 feet of the target equal to his Intelligence modifier with a ranged touch attack as a free action. Those struck suffer the effects of the channeled spell along with the original target. This talent may be selected multiple times, granting the swordmage an additional daily use of this ability each time it is selected. Evasion (Ex): A bladesinger with this ability can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the bladesinger is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless bladesinger does not gain the benefit of evasion. Insightful Spellstrike (Ex): When performing a spellstrike, the bladesinger gains a bonus on the attack roll equal to his Intelligence modifier. Quickness (Ex): A bladesinger with this talent receives a +10 ft. bonus to his land speed and a +1 dodge bonus to AC. Refocus Ray (Ex): The bladesinger can deliver ray spells that feature a ranged touch attack as melee touch spells. He can use a ranged touch attack spell that targets more than one creature (such as scorching ray), but he makes only one melee touch attack to deliver one of these ranged touch effects; additional ranged touch attacks from that spell are wasted and have no effect. These spells can be used with the spellstrike class feature. Swift Spell (Ex): Once per day, the bladesinger can cast any wizard spell he knows with a casting time of 1 standard action or less as a swift action. This talent may be selected multiple times, granting the bladesinger an additional daily use of this ability each time it is selected. Replaces: Swordmage Talent
Song of Celerity (Ex): At 7th level, whenever the bladesinger uses his bladesong ability, he may cast two spells instead of one as long as both spells are at least two levels lower than the highest level bladesinger spell he is able to cast. Replaces: Medium Armored Casting
Greater Bladesong (Ex): At 10th level, the bladesinger gains the ability to seamlessly cast spells and make melee attacks. Whenever the bladesinger casts defensively while using the bladesong ability, he gains a bonus on his Concentration checks equal to his Intelligence modifier. Replaces: Combat Magic Expertise
Song of Fury (Ex): At 13th level, whenever the bladesinger successfully hits a target with a melee attack while using his bladesong ability, he lowers that target’s spell resistance by 2 per hit until the beginning of the bladesinger’s next turn. Replaces: Heavy Armored Casting
Master Bladesong (Ex): At 19th level, the bladesinger becomes a master of spells and sword. Whenever he uses his bladesong ability, he suffers no penalty on his attack rolls and does not need to make a Concentration check to cast the spell defensively. Replaces: Combat Magic Mastery