In prepration for the launch of the new Living Forgotten Realms RPGA campaign, WotC has posted some preliminary rules for Forgotten Realms characters allowable in the new campaign. In the document you’ll find Drow and Genasi rules (with the Genasi being modular to a number of different elemental heritages) and a playable Swordmage class. It’s not everything (they want you to buy the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting for that), but it’ll get you started if the races and classes out there at the moment aren’t enough.
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Swordmage = Arcane Defender
I hadn’t even considered what would be done for an Arcane Defender, so I’m very intrigued by this!
An Arcane Defender that appears to have minored in leader or striker. Very nice…
I actually see a lot more controller in there than striker, the Swordmage’s damage seems to be on the low side all around?
Three primary stats is painful though, and on initial read-through it seemed like the class was too good but I think they might be balanced because their damage output seems circumstantial.
I am really pissed that they get a ranged at-will power when the Warlord is stuck with going into melee to be of any use. Boo!
I tend to agree with Bartoneus. The low damage AoE effects they have make them more controller. They do also have some degree of moving allies around which is more leader, but it’s applicability looks to be more for defensive purposes.
I really like the low armor thing. It means that an agile defender is actually possible now.
“I am really pissed that they get a ranged at-will power when the Warlord is stuck with going into melee to be of any use. Boo!”
Ranged 3 is only one more square than a Reach weapon. They aren’t exactly THAT far out of melee. :p
Frontline Controller/defender/leader(with lvl 2 utility)
I really like the choice of marks. And the fact that they give you 2 build options as a preview. The artificer didn’t have that.
@Blumpkin: I suspect that is because the Swordmage is a bit farther along in its development than the Artificer.
Yes, I know we got a bigger level spread for the Artificer, imho, thats because he was released as a Beta test… and the 3 level sneakpeak of the Swordmage is very much intended as a “trailer” for a soon to be released movie. FR comes out before Eberron, after all.