Comments on: Arcane Power: E’s Top Five Fun Ways To Roleplay a Swordmage http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/ Geek's Dream Girl Tue, 22 May 2012 20:58:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Arcane Power: E’s Top Five Fun Ways To Roleplay a Wizard http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-40137 Arcane Power: E’s Top Five Fun Ways To Roleplay a Wizard Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:31:57 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-40137 [...] Dragons 4th edition collection. Don’t forget to check the previous posts on the Bard, Sorcerer, Swordmage, and [...] [...] Dragons 4th edition collection. Don’t forget to check the previous posts on the Bard, Sorcerer, Swordmage, and [...]

]]> By: Nicholas http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39958 Nicholas Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:07:19 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39958 You forgot one of the coolest things about the swordmage. Swordmages let you be a melee type defender without the stats you would normally want for that role. That means you can pick some cool races without sacrificing effectiveness. I loved playing my gnome swordmage. Three and a half feet tall and standing in front of the party taking the hits. One of my favorite moments in 4e so far was my little gnome swordmage intimidating a dragon into surrender :) <abbr><em><i>Nicholas´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DungeonMastering/~3/05dqPX8I4UQ/doesnt-the-stew-look-awesome" rel="nofollow">Doesn’t the stew look awesome? (and we all know it tastes great)</a></i></abbr></em> You forgot one of the coolest things about the swordmage. Swordmages let you be a melee type defender without the stats you would normally want for that role. That means you can pick some cool races without sacrificing effectiveness.

I loved playing my gnome swordmage. Three and a half feet tall and standing in front of the party taking the hits. One of my favorite moments in 4e so far was my little gnome swordmage intimidating a dragon into surrender :)

Nicholas´s last blog post..Doesn’t the stew look awesome? (and we all know it tastes great)

]]> By: Graham http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39904 Graham Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:40:59 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39904 Heh. If I managed to convince <a href="http://thefineartofthetpk.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Donny</a> that 4e isn't as awful as he thought (to the point where it's his main game now), I can do anything! :D Kidding. Though I do have faith in my ability to get people to back down from the "hate it without ever reading it" stance and be civil to each other. <abbr><em><i>Graham´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/criticalanklebites/~3/gekASLmD668/" rel="nofollow">32 hours of D&D gaming party!</a></i></abbr></em> Heh. If I managed to convince Donny that 4e isn’t as awful as he thought (to the point where it’s his main game now), I can do anything! :D

Kidding. Though I do have faith in my ability to get people to back down from the “hate it without ever reading it” stance and be civil to each other.

Graham´s last blog post..32 hours of D&D gaming party!

]]> By: e http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39895 e Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:44:48 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39895 *hugz Graham* Graham is my D&D Customer Service Department. He's so good. :) *hugz Graham* Graham is my D&D Customer Service Department. He’s so good. :)

]]> By: Graham http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39894 Graham Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:34:36 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39894 No worries, man. I know people who swear by 1e, 2e, 3e, and 4e, and I'm friends with them all. We have more similarities than differences. Less changed between 2e and 3e than you might have thought. As it stands, though, if you ever find yourself wondering about something like this, feel free to just ask. There's no such thing as a stupid question. There is only not asking the question. :P So yeah, feel free to drop e, here, or me (on my site, click the link in my name) a comment or email. We're always happy to answer questions. <abbr><em><i>Graham´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/criticalanklebites/~3/gekASLmD668/" rel="nofollow">32 hours of D&D gaming party!</a></i></abbr></em> No worries, man. I know people who swear by 1e, 2e, 3e, and 4e, and I’m friends with them all. We have more similarities than differences. Less changed between 2e and 3e than you might have thought.

As it stands, though, if you ever find yourself wondering about something like this, feel free to just ask. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. There is only not asking the question. :P

So yeah, feel free to drop e, here, or me (on my site, click the link in my name) a comment or email. We’re always happy to answer questions.

Graham´s last blog post..32 hours of D&D gaming party!

]]> By: IronM@sk http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39892 IronM@sk Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:09:52 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39892 Ah fair enough Graham. I must admit the only real new D&D stuff I read in depth were the "Countdown to 3E" articles in Dragon Magazine all those years ago and I just assumed that they changed the size category name for large to goliath as they changed proficiencies and skills to feats etc etc. I have to admit reading those countdown articles totally turned me off D&D for good (never bought Dragon again after that). I should actually read through some of the 3E & 4E books I have inadvertantly downloaded so as to at least be on the same page as you guys terminology-wise. Ah fair enough Graham. I must admit the only real new D&D stuff I read in depth were the “Countdown to 3E” articles in Dragon Magazine all those years ago and I just assumed that they changed the size category name for large to goliath as they changed proficiencies and skills to feats etc etc.

I have to admit reading those countdown articles totally turned me off D&D for good (never bought Dragon again after that). I should actually read through some of the 3E & 4E books I have inadvertantly downloaded so as to at least be on the same page as you guys terminology-wise.

]]> By: Graham http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39887 Graham Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:26:20 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39887 @IronM@sk - If we thought like that, we never would have gotten Dimension Door. We would have just stuck with the original Teleport. That said, I think you're missing a few things specific to these powers: - Dimensional Vortex has a different effect than Dimension Door or Teleport. As such, it needs a different name. Teleport still exists. - Goliath stature is referencing a race from 3e/4e. Saying Goliath Stature is akin to saying Ogre Stature or Giant Stature. It's a race, not a description. - As for the "arcane power"/stinking cloud argument, well, that's the entire point of the Swordmage. An arcane magic-user who channels his power through his sword. It's not everyone's cup of tea, flavour-wise, that's for sure. I hope that gives you a bit of perspective, at least on the first two. <abbr><em><i>Graham´s last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/criticalanklebites/~3/gekASLmD668/" rel="nofollow">32 hours of D&D gaming party!</a></i></abbr></em> @IronM@sk -

If we thought like that, we never would have gotten Dimension Door. We would have just stuck with the original Teleport.

That said, I think you’re missing a few things specific to these powers:

- Dimensional Vortex has a different effect than Dimension Door or Teleport. As such, it needs a different name. Teleport still exists.

- Goliath stature is referencing a race from 3e/4e. Saying Goliath Stature is akin to saying Ogre Stature or Giant Stature. It’s a race, not a description.

- As for the “arcane power”/stinking cloud argument, well, that’s the entire point of the Swordmage. An arcane magic-user who channels his power through his sword. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, flavour-wise, that’s for sure.

I hope that gives you a bit of perspective, at least on the first two.

Graham´s last blog post..32 hours of D&D gaming party!

]]> By: IronM@sk http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2009/04/22/arcane-power-es-top-five-fun-ways-to-roleplay-a-swordmage/#comment-39884 IronM@sk Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:44:42 +0000 http://geeksdreamgirl.com?p=2576#comment-39884 * sigh * The more I read of this the more I am glad I ended my roleplaying days with 2nd Edition. Dimensional Vortex! Obviously Dimension Door doesn't sound quite Generation Y enough and Teleport doesn't... hang on, why didn't they just use Teleport? Perfectly capable spell. No it has to be Adjective Nou... oops, I mean DIMENSIONAL VORTEX!!11!11!! Goliath stature? What was wrong with just plain 'Large'? Ogres were large. Noooo anything taller than a human has to be GOLIAAAAAATHHH!!!!! “Your magic infuses a normal weapon attack with arcane power..." If Quink can't cast Stinking Cloud in the first place how can he imbue the sword with it? If he can cast Stinking Cloud what's the point of the sword? It all sounds a bit too World of Warcraft to me. Trying too hard to sound cool. Ah well, I'll guess i'll go back to Baldur's Gate now. I have a date with Sarevok. * sigh *

The more I read of this the more I am glad I ended my roleplaying days with 2nd Edition.

Dimensional Vortex! Obviously Dimension Door doesn’t sound quite Generation Y enough and Teleport doesn’t… hang on, why didn’t they just use Teleport? Perfectly capable spell. No it has to be Adjective Nou… oops, I mean DIMENSIONAL VORTEX!!11!11!!

Goliath stature? What was wrong with just plain ‘Large’? Ogres were large. Noooo anything taller than a human has to be GOLIAAAAAATHHH!!!!!

“Your magic infuses a normal weapon attack with arcane power…” If Quink can’t cast Stinking Cloud in the first place how can he imbue the sword with it? If he can cast Stinking Cloud what’s the point of the sword?

It all sounds a bit too World of Warcraft to me. Trying too hard to sound cool. Ah well, I’ll guess i’ll go back to Baldur’s Gate now. I have a date with Sarevok.

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