Swordmage (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

To the swordmage, arcane magic is life. Even more magical than the usual spellsword, the swordmage uses magical powers to defend himself, relying on such powers rather than on mundane armor. The swordmage is a martial artist of the Way of Force.

Weapons and Armor Proficiency

Spellswords are proficient with the dagger, greatsword, longsword, scimitar, and short sword, but not with any other weapons or with any type of armor.

Swordmage Force Fields

Swordmages can projects powerful force fields as armor and are experts at using Bracers of armor and similar force magic devices. The armor created by swordmages is clearly visible as a field of light, mist, a light distortion, or in some elemental form. Regardless of its appearance, it is a force effect. It does not stack with other force effects, or with regular armor or shields. The force armor can be turned on or off as a standard action, and the protection stays up as long as the swordmage is conscious. It can be reactivated at will.

Swordmage Armor (Su): A swordmage can create force armor that provides a +6 bonus to armor class, and this can be used alongside bracers of armor, with stacking benefits. It does not otherwise stack with armor, either normal or force.

Swordmage Block (Su): While under swordmage armor, the swordmage adds a +2 shield bonus to armor class. This is force armor, and improves by +1 for every 4 levels (+2 at levels up to 3, +3 at levels 4-7, +4 at levels 8-11 and so on). The swordmage must have one hand free, he cannot carry a shield or two weapons when using this ability, not can he use a weapon in two hands. He may momentarily use the off hand for things like somatic components or drawing and throwing a weapon in the same round. This ability counts as a shield to abilities that require a shield.

Summary of Changed Class Abilities

These abilities of the original class are lost or modified in this archetype:

• Weapons and Armor Proficiency