[Kolde]

So I've thought some more about blackguards based on Kolde's very helpful posts about them. That's good information and does make the BG a little more attractive, but I still feel like it leaves the class wanting a bit.

First, you'd have to build the PC so specifically to take the most advantage of the CHA bonuses and Divine Might/Shield that it seems like there's really only one optimal build. One of the things that's I like about the most of the base classes is how flexible most of them are in terms of being able to make a very effective character that's mechanically different than others.

Second, as Kolde said, the BG only really comes into it's own at level 15 and up. That might be fine for a PvP server where you're leveled up to 15th or 20th at the start, but on Thay I want to have a character that's effective at every level.

Finally, there's not much about building a BG in that way that feels... all that interesting, at least to me. While the character sounds like it could be pretty effective, I don't feel the real anti-paladin I'm-so-evil vibe from it.

I like what Thayan is talking about doing with poisons... that would be one step toward making both BGs and assassins attractive to play. It's too bad the Death Attack can't be customized. I'd like to know more about the Aura of Despair effect that Kolde mentioned. And beyond that maybe a few BG specific feats to help add some flavor and differentiate them from each other?

There are actually a few builds that work well with BG, albeit far fewer on a level 20 server. A few that come to mind that could work in Thay well enough are: 16 bard/ 4 BG, 18 Sorc/ 2 bg, 12 fighter/ 4 bg/ 4 rog, 16 rog/ 4 bg, 18 cleric/ 2 bg, and the one I'm using: 6 ftr/ 4 rog/ 10 bg. Yes their is a best way to distribute attributes, feats, etc... However that stands true for pretty much any PrC, and (to me at least) it makes sense that PrCs are more specialized than base classes.

While I certainly wouldn't complain if they decided to make BGs stronger, being as I play one, I don't really think the class is lacking that badly based on its PnP implementation (Especially compared to classes like Harper Scout and Assassin). It's missing a mostly useless spell list that would require wisdom to cast from, and Aura of Despair.

From d20srd:

Blackguard Spell List
Blackguards choose their spells from the following list:

1st Level
cause fear, corrupt weapon, cure light wounds, doom, inflict light wounds, magic weapon, summon monster I*.

2nd Level
bull’s strength, cure moderate wounds, darkness, death knell, eagle’s splendor, inflict moderate wounds, shatter, summon monster II*.

3rd Level
contagion, cure serious wounds, deeper darkness, inflict serious wounds, protection from energy, summon monster III*.

4th Level
cure critical wounds, freedom of movement, inflict critical wounds, poison, summon monster IV*.

Aura of Despair (Su)
Beginning at 3rd level, the blackguard radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of him to take a -2 penalty on all saving throws.