Swordmages are arcane spellcasters who blend martial combat with magic. They spend long hours training with a one-handed weapon, so that their off hand may be free to imbue their incantations. Despite their lack of armor, Swordmages are most often on the front lines of combat, swinging their imbued blades to devastating effect. While anyone with sufficient ability can become a Swordmage, they are most common among Elves, Genasi, and Githyanki.
The reasons for this are unclear, beyond the fact that Swordmages are, as a rule, innate casters not unlike their sorcerous brothers and sisters. While many cultures have claimed to be the first to have blended the arts of magic and sword, those that have attempted to master both come from all corners of the world. Stories exist of some ancient Netherese sorcerers coming up with several styles of battle that have been passed through the ages. Others claim that the Elves of Evermeet were the first to work weapon-based magic into their repertoire. The true fact is that none are entirely certain. All Swordmage magic has been found to follow the same veins as other arcane casters, utilizing the Weave to cast their spells through gestures and clearly spoken words.
Swordmages come from many different backgrounds. Often, soldiers, mercenaries, or others involved in magic have found that the spark of magic has awoken in them due to the rigors and flashes of intense need in combat. Others have found their magic while young, and trained it through stories of heroes and tales of daring-do. While some sorcerers find themselves drawn to given elements or schools of magic, Swordmages find themselves drawn to the spells of battle and those involving weaponry. Particularly skilled Swordmages have been known to bond with their weapons and their magic. Notably, this bonding isn't the same as a Weaponmaster's specialization, though one might mistake the two in stories from far-off lands.
Most swordmages wear no armor and carry no shield, trusting in their magic to protect them. Some have eschewed this unspoken tradition to wear light armor, though said armor tends to be flexible to maintain balance and motion. However, the offhand must remain empty for them to be able to work the somatic components of their spells. These tend to be throwing, slashing, or other violent motions while completing the complex arcane movements to call their magic. As with all arcane casters who don't have specific training to the contrary, Swordmages must have the ability and capacity to speak with a clear voice in order to speak the words of their spells. These spells may be cast in the typical languages of the caster's innate magic as per any other cast spell.
Often, the source of a Swordmage's magic is far back in their bloodline, similar to any other Sorcerer. This may be from some planar blood, or other races with innate magical ability. A swordmage's magic manifests often between young and middle age. Due to the physicality required for many of their spells and maneuvers, there are not many that continue the art in their infirm years, though some have taken to passing on the secrets of their spells to others if they survive the rough and tumble lifestyle that their magic calls them towards.
|
Lvl |
BAB |
Saves |
Feats |
HP |
Base Incantations Per Day |
|||||||||
|
Fort |
Ref |
Will |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|||||
|
1 |
+1 |
+2 |
+0 |
+2 |
Combat Casting, Swordmage Warding, Incantations: Cantrips |
8 |
* |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
2 |
+2 |
+3 |
+0 |
+3 |
Aegis of Shielding, Sword Bond: Weaponized Arcana |
16 |
* |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
3 |
+3 |
+3 |
+1 |
+3 |
Incantations I |
24 |
* |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
4 |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
+4 |
Uncanny Dodge I |
32 |
* |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
5 |
+4 |
+4 |
+1 |
+4 |
Mystic Dagger |
40 |
* |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
6 |
+5 |
+5 |
+2 |
+5 |
Incantations II, Bonus Feat |
48 |
* |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
7 |
+6/+1 |
+5 |
+2 |
+5 |
Elemental Aegis |
56 |
* |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
8 |
+7/+2 |
+6 |
+2 |
+6 |
Spellshield |
64 |
* |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
9 |
+8/+3 |
+6 |
+3 |
+6 |
Incantations III |
72 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
10 |
+9/+3 |
+7 |
+3 |
+7 |
Sword Bond: Keen Arcana |
80 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
11 |
+10/+5 |
+7 |
+3 |
+7 |
88 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
|
12 |
+11/+6/+1 |
+8 |
+4 |
+8 |
Bonus Feat |
96 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
13 |
+11/+6/+1 |
+8 |
+4 |
+8 |
Incantations IV |
104 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
|
14 |
+12/+7/+2 |
+9 |
+4 |
+9 |
112 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
|
15 |
+13/+8/+3 |
+9 |
+5 |
+9 |
|
120 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
|
16 |
+14/+9/+4 |
+10 |
+5 |
+10 |
|
128 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
|
17 |
+14/+9/+4 |
+10 |
+5 |
+10 |
Incantations V |
136 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
|
18 |
+15/+10/+5 |
+11 |
+6 |
+11 |
Greater Spellshield, Bonus Feat |
144 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
|
19 |
+16/+11/+6/+1 |
+11 |
+6 |
+11 |
152 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
|
20 |
+17/+12/+7/+2 |
+12 |
+6 |
+12 |
Aegis of Assault |
160 |
* |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
Sword Bond: Weaponized Arcana: The Swordmage selects a weapon to bond with. The Swordmage applies a +1 enhancement bonus to their equipped Bonded weapon per 3 Caster Level, to a maximum of +5. At Caster Level 22, the bonus increases to +6. This bonus is lost if the weapon leaves the Swordmage’s inventory. A weapon can only be Bonded if the Swordmage has a Weapon Focus for that weapon type. Applies automatically to the weapon when wielded in the main hand.
Sword Bond: Keen Arcana: Weaponized Arcana now applies Keen to the Bonded weapon.
Swordmage Warding: The Swordmage gains a Deflection bonus to AC equal to 1 + their Charisma Modifier. Their charisma bonus is capped at +1 initially, and increases +1 per 2 Swordmage level up to level 20. Total cap of AC is +10. If a Swordmage equips a shield, two-handed weapon, or a one handed weapon in their off hand, the AC is removed. This does not stack with other class based AC.
Aegis of Shielding: The swordmage shields themselves in magical armor. This is an Armor AC buff that lasts 8 hours + 1 hour per Caster Level. They gain +4 armor AC at level 2, and this increases by +1 / 7 levels
Level 2: +4
Level 9: +5
Level 16: +6
Level 23: +7
Aegis of Shielding is usable at-will.
Elemental Aegis: The swordmage wards themselves against elemental damage. Elemental Aegis stops 20/- points of Elemental damage (Fire, Cold, Acid, Electricity, and Sonic) per hit, absorbing up to 10 points per Caster Level before failing. Aegis lasts 24 hours, or until broken.
At Caster Level 21, Elemental Aegis absorption increases to 30/-, and 15 points per Caster Level.
This ability is usable 5 times, with uses recharging every 20 minutes.
Mystic Dagger: The Swordmage must be wielding a weapon imbued with the Elemental Blade Incantation to use this ability. The Swordmage conjures a magical dagger at a target area which homes in on a nearby enemy dealing 1d6 +1d6 / 2 Caster Level damage of the damage type he has imbued his weapon with using the Elemental Blade incantation if he succeeds a Touch Attack. The Swordmage then translocates, if able, to the location that they conjured the dagger.
At caster level 23, this ability upgrades to conjure a dagger against all enemies within a large (5 meters) area.
This ability benefits from Spell Damage Scaling (Conjuration). This ability has charges equal to your charisma modifier, and recovers one charge per 5 minutes.
Spellshield: The Swordmage uses their Bonded weapon to shield themselves from hostile magics. The shield lasts for 5 rounds, and can absorb 1d6 + Charisma Modifier spell levels before failing. This ability is usable 2 times, with uses recharging every 20 minutes.
Greater Spellshield: Spellshield now absorbs 1d12 + Charisma Modifier spell levels, and gains an additional use.
Aegis of Assault: The swordmage imbues their weapon with arcane power for 10 rounds, dealing an additional 2d6 + Charisma Modifier magical damage to their target.
This ability is usable once, with its uses recharging every 10 minutes.
Bonus Feats List: Blind Fight, Disarm, Cleave, Dodge, Empowered Arts, Expertise, Great Cleave, Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Critical, Improved Disarm, Improved Expertise, Improved Knockdown, Improved Parry, Improved Power Attack, Improved Unarmed Strike, Knockdown, Mobility, Power Attack, Practiced Incantations: Swordmage, Weapon Finesse, Spell Penetration, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus, Weapon Proficiency (Exotic), Whirlwind Attack
Incantations are special spells used by the Swordmage. Incantations require a concentration checks. Incantations are subject to Arcane Spell Failure, and will not work if the Swordmage has anything in his off-hand or is wielding a two-handed weapon. Each Rank requires base Charisma of 10 + the Incantation Rank to function.
| 21 | Incantations VI (2 uses/day) | 168 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 176 | |
| 23 | Bonus Feat | 184 |
| 24 | 192 | |
| 25 | 200 | |
| 26 | Bonus Feat | 208 |
| 27 | 216 | |
| 28 | 224 | |
| 29 | Bonus Feat | 232 |
| 30 | 240 |
Bonus feats: The epic Swordmage gains a bonus feats at levels 23, 26 and 29
Swordmage Epic Bonus Feats: Armor Skin, Devastating Critical, Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Overwhelming Critical, Epic Spell Focus, Great Charisma
Empowered Arts
Type: Class-Specific (Can only be taken on Swordmage levels.)
Prerequisite: Incantations I, 8 ranks in Spellcraft.
The swordmage gains .5 spell scaling and the duration of Incantations is increased by 25%
Improved Spellshield
Type: Class-Specific (Can only be taken on Swordmage levels.)
Requires Spellshield. (Swordmage ability)
Doubles spellshield duration and increases the number of spell levels absorbed by 50%.
Practiced Incantations: Swordmage
Prerequisite: Spellcraft 4
Type of Feat: General.
Increases your caster level by 1 for each non-Swordmage level you have, up to 4. This can’t increase your caster level beyond your HD. (Ex. a Bard 3 / Swordmage 4 will increase her caster level by 3, not 4.)