TheAntiSocialFatMan
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: TheGrandHunter
Posts: 81 Likes: 62
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TheAntiSocialFatMan
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August 2017
spiritwarden
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
TheGrandHunter
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Post by TheAntiSocialFatMan on May 22, 2022 1:43:18 GMT
It might seem like a simple question, since the obvious answer is the Knight-Enchanter Mage. But for the most part (especially after that nerf they got) they play more like a typical Magey-Mage who, on occasion gives the enemy a solid wack. Still they can't be discounted and they of course have the Blade of Tidarion.
On the other hand there's the Templar Warrior. They actually use a sword as their primary offence while also having fairly magic-like abilities (although of course from a lore prespective its not actually magic but I'm mostly focused on gameplay). Glowing damage-boosting AOE, Big damage AOE + Stun and a AOE cleanse which combo's with the damage AOE for some big combo damage. Adding in gear and upgrades you can have a giant flaming sword that casts Pull of the Abyss, Walking Bomb, Immolate, Shadow Clone Jutsu etc.
There's also the Reaver who's abilities might actually be using *some* form of magic to use. Actual psychic ring of pain that hurts both them and the enemy. The ability to instill fear into their enemy (which based on that short series, seem to make them think the Reaver looks monstrous). Then there's the magical dragon clawns they can summon to both rip the enemy to shreds and also sap actual lifeforce from the enemy.
So which one really plays more like a spellsword?
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Post by Iddy on May 22, 2022 14:03:31 GMT
Templar sounds more like what you want. A fighting style where both physical and magical attacks are very present and you do have a sword.
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∯ Oh Loredy...
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gervaise21
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gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
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Post by gervaise21 on May 22, 2022 18:20:05 GMT
The problem with Knight Enchanter is that they made it more magic focus by changing Arcane Warrior (which it is based on) from being a martial mage combo type build to a pseudo Jedi type build with a light sabre. Don't get me, wrong I really enjoyed playing the Knight Enchanter, which is awesome, but not really a Spellsword.
As for which of the other two you choose, I suppose it depends on your desire to role play over pure functionality. Technically, according to the Core Rule Book, Reever is essentially internalised blood magic requiring a dodgy ritual involving drinking dragon blood and draws strength from pain and death. So your character might have moral objections to using it, in which case they could opt for Templar, where the magic you are using is coming from an external source, lyrium, but which has now been shown to also be the blood of a sentient creature, so in reality another form of blood magic.
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xerrai
N3
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Post by xerrai on May 22, 2022 20:32:28 GMT
I would advocate for Spirit Warrior, but it seems we're limited to DAI choices. In which case...Knight-Enchanter. Even with the nerf I was still able to 1 vs. 1 high dragons on the regular just because it gives me good defense while I could slice through their shields like butter. I almost never left melee distance either. Pair it with certain fade-touched armor abilities (eg. Hidden Blades) and you can easily play a spellsword character.
But then, I guess it depends on what type of "spellwsord" you want. Because if we reduce it to 'person who wields a martial weapon while also using magic" then practically any of the choices presented would count. Even if they are using a different type of magic. But if you want someone who clearly uses martial abilities primarily while using magic as a compliment, then you'll want to go with one of the warriors.
Knight-Enchanters, in my experience, are defense specialists in that they are great for raising barriers around themselves and others while cutting down the defense of enemies. So while they may not be great on offense, there is no one better in terms of ensuring survivability and weakening shielded enemies to where they can get hurt. They are the inverse of the 'the greatest defense is a good offense'.
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TheAntiSocialFatMan
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: TheGrandHunter
Posts: 81 Likes: 62
inherit
9192
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TheAntiSocialFatMan
81
August 2017
spiritwarden
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
TheGrandHunter
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Post by TheAntiSocialFatMan on May 23, 2022 2:44:20 GMT
The problem with Knight Enchanter is that they made it more magic focus by changing Arcane Warrior (which it is based on) from being a martial mage combo type build to a pseudo Jedi type build with a light sabre. Don't get me, wrong I really enjoyed playing the Knight Enchanter, which is awesome, but not really a Spellsword. As for which of the other two you choose, I suppose it depends on your desire to role play over pure functionality. Technically, according to the Core Rule Book, Reever is essentially internalised blood magic requiring a dodgy ritual involving drinking dragon blood and draws strength from pain and death. So your character might have moral objections to using it, in which case they could opt for Templar, where the magic you are using is coming from an external source, lyrium, but which has now been shown to also be the blood of a sentient creature, so in reality another form of blood magic. Interesting, so from a lore perspective a Reaver is actually using magic to some degree?
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xerrai
N3
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xerrai
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Post by xerrai on May 23, 2022 6:16:20 GMT
The problem with Knight Enchanter is that they made it more magic focus by changing Arcane Warrior (which it is based on) from being a martial mage combo type build to a pseudo Jedi type build with a light sabre. Don't get me, wrong I really enjoyed playing the Knight Enchanter, which is awesome, but not really a Spellsword. As for which of the other two you choose, I suppose it depends on your desire to role play over pure functionality. Technically, according to the Core Rule Book, Reever is essentially internalised blood magic requiring a dodgy ritual involving drinking dragon blood and draws strength from pain and death. So your character might have moral objections to using it, in which case they could opt for Templar, where the magic you are using is coming from an external source, lyrium, but which has now been shown to also be the blood of a sentient creature, so in reality another form of blood magic. Interesting, so from a lore perspective a Reaver is actually using magic to some degree? I mean if you really look at what the game is hinting, virtually every class has access to a magic-ish specialization. Reaver and Templar are obvious since they derive their abilities from using dragon blood and lyrium respectively, and both processes reek of being magical in nature. Templar abilities became especially egregious ever since Decent came out. But even the Tempest specialization can be argued to be somewhat based in magic if you look at some of Sera's companion banter, even if it is presumably achieved through alchemy. Dorian: For being so unnerved by magic, you aren't shy about benefiting from its effects. Sera: I don't. I use normal things, not magic. Dorian: You consider swathing yourself in flame or ice normal and “not magic”? Sera: For one, it comes out a bottle. For two, I mess up, I get burned. You messed up, your head chucks up a demon. For three? Bottle, little burned, no demons. So there. Dorian: That was only… you know, if it lets you sleep at night, never mind.
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