Discord
Changelog
04-10-2015, 11:07 PM
Blackguards are actually really powerful if you build them for their strengths. They can reach AC that makes fighters blush, and good saves to boot. As for the Spell List.. They do have one in pnp, but requires Wis just like a paladin to be able to cast from it, and the spell choices in that list are quite underwhelming to say the least. The sneak attack damage works quite well with IKD, or by using the summon to distract. Add in availability for divine might and I've seen them near match a WM on direct damage and even surpass one on a sneak.
I think their main issue lies in the fact that what they need to shine doesn't come until higher levels. You cannot take a level in BG for the typical fighter/rog hybrid until level 8. Needing 6 fighter for the BaB, and either a 7th level in fighter or a level in rogue to then get the 5 hide requirement. They then do not get Turn until level 3, putting them at level 10.. well, then you have to wait 2 more levels to get either divine shield or might, then another 3 levels to finally get the other.. putting you at level 15 before you get both abilities that make the class. (Ranger afaik are the only class that can meet all the requirements to take BG at level 7...)
Paladin's do still outshine them in 1 on 1 PvP because of Holy Sword, GMW, self cast eagles/ aura of glory and other buffs the pally gets, yes. However a BG shines more in other areas, doing far more damage if he can catch the pally off guard for a good flanking attack, or KD or something. On top of this BGs do not need Wis, allowing them to concentrate more on other stats, and less susceptible to dispells since they're more likely to boost stats with gear rather than spells.
All in all BGs are weaker than Paladins, but they are still a very powerful class when done right, able to stand toe to toe with a WM or RDD, due to insane amounts of potential AC.. They're the tankier PrC, or at least thats where they shine mechanically with great saves and high AC (both of which I would argue would be stomped by a paladin in 1 on 1 if they were evil.) For example my main is a BG and even taking away vampire, at level 17 with gear she'd be capable of reaching up to 49 AC without using expertise or the like.
As for adding something to the class, I would like to see them recieve Aura of Despair from PnP. It would give them another utility while not so useful on its own, would make them more useful in a group with a mage (and a great little RP thing too). Another idea, while not true in PnP might be to move turn undead down to lvl 2 so they can begin taking divine feats at level 9 instead of 12. The spell list is a nice idea too, but if it was made to require the wis as normal then its not so worth it. They don't get things like GMW and Aura of Glory, etc to really make it worth dropping 4-6 points into like a paladin anyway.
I think their main issue lies in the fact that what they need to shine doesn't come until higher levels. You cannot take a level in BG for the typical fighter/rog hybrid until level 8. Needing 6 fighter for the BaB, and either a 7th level in fighter or a level in rogue to then get the 5 hide requirement. They then do not get Turn until level 3, putting them at level 10.. well, then you have to wait 2 more levels to get either divine shield or might, then another 3 levels to finally get the other.. putting you at level 15 before you get both abilities that make the class. (Ranger afaik are the only class that can meet all the requirements to take BG at level 7...)
Paladin's do still outshine them in 1 on 1 PvP because of Holy Sword, GMW, self cast eagles/ aura of glory and other buffs the pally gets, yes. However a BG shines more in other areas, doing far more damage if he can catch the pally off guard for a good flanking attack, or KD or something. On top of this BGs do not need Wis, allowing them to concentrate more on other stats, and less susceptible to dispells since they're more likely to boost stats with gear rather than spells.
All in all BGs are weaker than Paladins, but they are still a very powerful class when done right, able to stand toe to toe with a WM or RDD, due to insane amounts of potential AC.. They're the tankier PrC, or at least thats where they shine mechanically with great saves and high AC (both of which I would argue would be stomped by a paladin in 1 on 1 if they were evil.) For example my main is a BG and even taking away vampire, at level 17 with gear she'd be capable of reaching up to 49 AC without using expertise or the like.
As for adding something to the class, I would like to see them recieve Aura of Despair from PnP. It would give them another utility while not so useful on its own, would make them more useful in a group with a mage (and a great little RP thing too). Another idea, while not true in PnP might be to move turn undead down to lvl 2 so they can begin taking divine feats at level 9 instead of 12. The spell list is a nice idea too, but if it was made to require the wis as normal then its not so worth it. They don't get things like GMW and Aura of Glory, etc to really make it worth dropping 4-6 points into like a paladin anyway.