Making an "Arcane Paladin" (Was: Martial Arcanists: I need a reminder)

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm aware of the special materials, but they're not always all available in every campaign. And that won't help with the weapon side of the equation.

Besides, I don't see it as "blowing" feats & levels when it is appropriate or integral to the PC concept.

 

[NEXxREX]

just offering an alternative to spending levels in martial classes that don't advance spell casting but give you BAB or proficiencies. and since you are planning on multiclassing with more then one arcane class certain feats and class features can only apply to one of those classes. armor is possible to cover it all.

and for most casters(i realize you take more stock in what your character would do rather then what game mechanics deem most effective) but losing a caster level and access to higher spell levels is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. and alot of players would do things to minimize this. but if your going to try to have 2 spell casting classes your going to be behind in caster levels anyway.

now abjurant champion from complete mage offers D10 full bab and full casting. for relatively small requirements. and at lv 5 it allows you to use your BAB for your caster level(if its higher). plus you can use your uncast spells for a variety of bonuses. it also offers you bonuses to mage armor equal to your Abjurant champion level and allows you to cast them as swift actions(which would definately help you on the armor front, its not armor but it would make you alot harder to hit.) as a martial fighter to access with magic this would be appealing to anyone to learn, using the magic in your blood to protect yourself in the heat of battle and all.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

but losing a caster level and access to higher spell levels is something that shouldn't be taken lightly

FWIW, that is something I have always seen as a feature, not a bug, in 3.X multiclassing. So I'm doing this with eyes wide open.

I'll have to look at Abjurant Champion, though. Who knows, it may fit.

 

[Nezkrul]

abjurant champion only buffs abjurations that give a bonus to ac, mage armor is a conjuration (they messed up on the example character, check the errata)

 

[NEXxREX]

your right nezkrul, it would only apply to shield. nut at 5th lv you would be able to cast shield as a swift action and have it last 2min/lv for a +9 shield bonus which is still pretty good. i guess if you could do that with mage armor and shield it would be a bit broken. +18AC in a single round...... if your dex is 10 you've got a 28AC at lv 10 or so.

 

[Ischtan]

Maybe it helps here: In the Lost Empires of Fearun there are feats allowing you to cast spells from a prohibited school: Spell Retrieve & Arcane Transfiguration

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Thanks! I'll look at those.

 

[Samloyal23]

I do not have my books with me, but I am thinking a warlock with the right feats and a level of monk or fighter could do some impressive things with Hideous Blows to charge a weapon or fist with eldritch energy...

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Time changes things...been watching a lot of Samurai Jack lately. I like the idea of a hero tossed through time. Thinking how I can make it work for me.

...a holy man (cleric or paladin) performing an exorcism is on the verge of victory, when the possessing fiend sends the hero spiraling- not through time, but dimensions- stranding him on another prime material plane. He is cut off from his patron deity, but manages to make a pact with another being to gain arcane power (Warlock, Battle Sorcerer, or Duskblade) in an effort to find his way back. Along the way,he also picks up a bit of weapons training (Marshall, Battle Sorcerer or Duskblade).

 

[Cyclone_Joker]

I'm trying to figure something out, but I'm not able to access my books right now so can't look up the rules:

1) is there any way to make a Wizard/Specialist Wizard/Focused Specialist into an armored caster?

Yes, but they're not very good at it. It's wasted investment.

2) can a specialist wizard of any kind gain access to prohibited spells via multiclassing?

Yes, but it's a bad idea. Trust me, getting first level spells in a banned school is not worth losing nines, especially if you banned Evocation.

The concept is a martial arcanist who uses a lot of things like Arcane Channeling, the Sorcerer Draconic heritage (or similar) feats, and Reserve feats. As such, I want the PC to have a LOT of spell slots at his disposal- so multiclassing will be part of the plan, especially a bit of Mystic Theurge.

Reserve feats are bad. Expensive and don't do much.

From what it sounds like, the Sorcadin might be exactly what you're looking for. Paladin 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 1/Abjurant Champion 5/Sacred Exorcist 8. BAB16, access to armor, 9s, Charisma to saves, and with a little bit of WBLmancy, complete charisma SAD

I think Complete Mage suggests multiclassing into Sorcerer to get access to your prohibited schools/spells.

It also neglects to mention how bad of an idea it is.

I find it best to, as a general rule, completely ignore their advice. Am I the only one who remembers an article telling people that the monk was the best-designed class in core?

abjurant champion only buffs abjurations that give a bonus to ac, mage armor is a conjuration (they messed up on the example character, check the errata)

And gives you full BAB advancement. That's the important bit.