Duskblade (Dungeons & Dragons)
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| Base classes from Player's Handbook |
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Barbarian |
| Additional/Alternative base classes |
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Archivist |
| NPC Classes |
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Adept |
| Unearthed Arcana Generic Classes |
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Expert |
| Prestige classes |
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Arcane Archer |
The Duskblade is a class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game and was introduced as a base class in the Player's Handbook II supplement. It combines a unique blend of magical prowess and combat expertise that was generally unavailable to a character starting at first level. The duskblade is an arcane magic user, as opposed to the Cleric who casts magic fueled from divine sources.
As a hybrid class, duskblades often have to put emphasis on ability scores that others pass up when playing either a melee based character or a caster.
The most prominent ability scores of the duskblade are:
- Strength: Duskblades needs their strength has high as possible, since melee combat depends on it.
- Intelligence: Like strength, intelligence should be as strong as possible, since their spellcasting depends on it.
- Constitution: Because duskblades function better in melee, a high constitution score gives them the edge they need for taking damage in battle.
No published race currently uses the duskblade as a favored class, however Duskblades are traditionally Elven, though any race may be one.
[edit] Spells
Duskblades cast arcane spells that are drawn from a unique spell list. Compared to wizards and sorcerers, the duskblade does not have nearly as many spells available. Duskblades are like wizards in that intelligence is the driving force of their spells, unlike the sorcerer who must rely on a strong charisma score. Unlike the wizard, however, the duskblade knows a number of spells at a set level, much like the sorcerer, and every time they gain a class level as a duskblade, they can learn one additional spell of the spell level they can cast.
Also like sorcerers, duskblades do not need to have their spells prepared. This allows them to choose which spell they can cast as the situation demands, without having to worry about choosing a spell they may not find useful after having prepared it.
The duskblade chooses from a small list of spells, however. While most arcane spellcasters have a full nine levels of spells, the duskblade only has five, one spell level less than even the bard class. The duskblade's spell list consists of spells that would be useful in a battle setting and gain very little versatility for anything but the battlefield.
[edit] A Fighting Mage
The duskblade's place is on the battlefield, where it can take the spot of a fighter or fling spells like a wizard. Understandably, the duskblade excels in neither of these positions for very long and can be overtaken in a pure fighting match or a magical battle when their spells per day are expended.
Prior to that, though, the duskblade gains a number of abilities that aid in fighting with magic. Unlike most spellcasters, the duskblade quickly gains the ability to channel their arcane energies through their weapon, dealing both the spell effect as well as the damage from the weapon.
Another extremely beneficial feature that the class has is the ability to use light and medium armor, as well as heavy shields, with no chance of a spell failure. Arcane magic users have long been plagued by their inability to wear armor because of the risk of fouling up the spell due to restrictions on movement placed by the armor.
However, these abilities come at a price. While duskblades have the ability to attack with just as much proficiency as a fighter, most of their spells are geared toward a single opponent. Those spells that affect an area cannot function to full effect unless the duskblade is nowhere else but the front lines. Once their spells have run out, they're no better than a fighter with a distinct lack of bonus feats.
