Article-At-A-Glance
- The Blade Mage[1] melds spellcasting and combat, offering versatile build strategies.
- Utilizes feats and abilities for optimized gameplay in Pathfinder 1E.
- Details on leveling progression, spells, and combat tactics for roleplaying effectiveness.
- Community interaction and support for in depth rule and mechanic tips.
Click on the level for more information
The level 1 Blade Mage[1] excels in agility and spellcraft, wielding a rapier with finesse. Intuitive and cunning, the Wayang race enhances spellcasting with the spell Battering Blast set to future supremacy. With an emphasis on Intelligence, this character employs Weapon Finesse to deftly strike while preparing for a Gish progression.
Stat Block Level 1:
Blade Mage[1]: male, Wayang Arcanist (Blade Adept) 1; CR 1/2; Small humanoid (Wayang); HD 1d6; hp 6; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 11; Base Atk +0; Grp -3; Atk rapier +1 melee (1d4-2/18-20) or spell +4 ranged; Full Atk rapier +1 melee (1d4-2/18-20) or spell +4 ranged; SA none; SQ arcane reservoir, exploit (blade adept), darkvision 60 ft.; AL N; SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +2; Str 7, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 8, Cha 12.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Spellcraft +9, Knowledge (Arcana) +9; Weapon Finesse.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Arcane Reservoir allows storing energy for immediate use.
Possessions: Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch.
At level 5, the Blade-Mage Arcanist has begun solidifying their dual role as both a spellcaster and a combatant. They’ve got Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace working together for a dexterous fighting style. Leveraging the Blade Adept archetype, they wield a sentient rapier, providing versatility and a unique edge in battle. Their primary spell, Battering Blast, capitalizes on their metamagic trait adjustments for swift casting.
Stat Block Level 5:
Blade Mage[1]: male, Wayang Arcanist (Blade Adept) 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (Wayang); HD 5d6+10; hp 27; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +3; Grp +2; Atk rapier +7 (1d6-2/18-20) or spell; Full Atk rapier +7 (1d6-2/18-20) or spell; SA Spellcasting, Sentient weapon; SQ Arcane Reservoir, Eldritch Blade, Spellstrike; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5; Str 7, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 8, Cha 12.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Spellcraft +13, Knowledge (Arcana) +13; Weapon Finesse, Fencing Grace, Extra Exploit.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Can switch spell elements through School Understanding (Evocation-Admixture), and wield a magically sentient rapier, usable for spellcasting and combat.
Possessions: Sentient Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch.
At level 10, the Blade Mage[1] is a formidable Gish, blending magic and melee prowess. With a sentient rapier, they deliver precise strikes using Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace. Critical hits trigger swift spellcasting through Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical. They have access to a diverse array of spells and utilize Battering Blast for significant damage while bull-rushing foes.
Stat Block Level 10:
Blade Mage[1]: male, Wayang Arcanist (Blade Adept) 9/Fighter (Lore Warden) 1; CR 10; Small humanoid (Wayang); HD 10d8+10; hp 60; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 17, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +6; Grp +3; Atk Rapier +11 melee (1d4/15-20) or spell; Full Atk Rapier +11/+6 melee (1d4/15-20) or spell; SA Spell Critical; SQ Arcane Weapon, Armored Mask, Sentient Blade, Spellcasting; AL N; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +11; Str 7, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 8, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Spellcraft +18, Knowledge (Arcana) +18; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Fencing Grace, Extra Exploit, Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical allows casting as swift action upon crit; Battering Blast cast at lower levels due to traits.
Possessions: Sentient Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch, light armor.
This Level 15 Blade Mage[1] build focuses on blending spellcasting with martial prowess. With a sentient rapier and critical-focused combat style, the character can unleash devastating quickened spells effectively. The integration of Battering Blast metamagic manipulation allows for strategic spell usage across multiple levels, enhancing battlefield control.
Stat Block Level 15:
Level 15 Arcanist: male, Wayang Arcanist (Blade Adept) 9/Fighter (Lore Warden) 1/Eldritch Knight 5; CR 15; Small Humanoid; HD 9d6+5d10; hp 105; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +10; Grp +8; Atk Rapier +17 (1d6/15-20) or spell; Full Atk Rapier +17/+12 or spell; SA Battering Blast (Tenebrous Spell, Heightened); SQ Arcane Reservoir, Armored Mask; AL N; SV Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +13; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 7, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Spellcraft +18, Knowledge (Arcana) +18; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Fencing Grace, Extra Exploit, Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise, Piranha Strike, Tenebrous Spell, Improved Critical (Rapier), Critical Focus, Accursed Critical, Improved Trip, Staggering Critical, Heighten Spell.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Sentient Rapier allows swift spellcasting on crits, illusory armor from Armored Mask, spells switchable via School Understanding (Evocation-Admixture).
Possessions: Sentient Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch.
At level 20, the Blade-Mage build combines spellcasting with formidable martial prowess. With access to 9th-level spells and a high BAB of +15, the character effectively bridges the gap between wizardry and combat. The Wayang race and strategic feat choices enhance both spell potency and melee output. Critically, the Sentient Rapier allows casting quickened spells on critical hits, drastically increasing damage potential.
Stat Block Level 20:
Blade-Mage: Male, Wayang Arcanist (Blade Adept) 9/Fighter (Lore Warden) 1/Eldritch Knight 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (Wayang); HD 20d12+40; hp 170; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 16, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +15; Grp +15; Atk Sentient Rapier +22/+17/+12 melee (1d6+5/15–20) or Spell +18 touch; Full Atk Sentient Rapier +22/+17/+12 melee (1d6+5/15–20) and Spell +18 touch; SA Spell Critical (cast spells as swift action on crit); SQ Arcane Exploits, Magical Lineage (Battering Blast), Wayang racial traits, Arcane Weapon, Armored Mask; AL Neutral; SV Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +11; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 7, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Spellcraft +31, Knowledge (Arcana) +31; Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Rapier), Fencing Grace, Extra Exploit, Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise, Piranha Strike, Tenebrous Spell, Improved Critical (Rapier), Critical Focus, Accursed Critical, Improved Trip, Staggering Critical, Heighten Spell.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Arcane Weapon allows dynamic element switching; Armored Mask simulates Mage Armor; Spell Critical for casting spells on critical hits.
Possessions: Sentient Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Start as an Arcanist with the Blade Adept Archetype and focus on gaining Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus (Rapier). Maximize your Intelligence to excel in both spellcasting and melee combat. Choose Wayang traits like Wayang Spellhunter and Magical Lineage to enhance the Battering Blast spell.
- Levels 6-10: Add a level of Fighter with the Lore Warden Archetype and begin focusing on the Eldritch Knight Prestige Class. Gain Feats such as Fencing Grace and Improved Initiative to enhance combat prowess. Utilize the Arcane Weapon exploit to upgrade your Sentient Rapier while delving into the intricacies of magical blade combat.
- Levels 11-15: Solidify your role as a Gish by expanding your critical hit capabilities with feats like Improved Critical and Critical Focus. Continue developing the capability to cast swift action spells on a critical hit using the Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical. Unlock the potential of Advanced Exploits and increase your versatility in spell elements.
- Levels 16-20: Attain mastery with a blend of high BAB and access to 9th level spells. Enhance your crit based abilities with feats like Heighten Spell, Accursed Critical, and Staggering Critical. Capitalize on your ability to Bull Rush and deal massive damage with spells like Battering Blast, ensuring swift victories in battle.
Core Abilities & Features
The Blade Mage[1] build is an ingenious mix of magical prowess and martial adeptness, making a perfect Gish. At the heart of this build is the Arcanist with the Blade Adept Archetype. It merges explosive arcane power with the finesse of a dexterous swordsman. The combination with the Eldritch Knight Prestige Class further enhances battle capabilities, allowing precise casting amidst the chaos of melee fighting.
A core feature is the strategic race choice, Wayang. This seemingly obscure choice is critical for the Spellhunter and Magical Lineage traits. These traits focus on the Battering Blast spell, allowing for the use of metamagic feats to enhance the spell while casting it at a lower level. This facilitated flexibility in magical attacks makes the build extremely adaptive in tactical scenarios.
The build’s abilities are heavily focused on maximizing damage potential. By leveraging Weapon Finesse and Fencing Grace, the Blade Mage[1] ensures swift and deadly rapier strikes. The inclusion of feats like Improved Critical and Critical Focus, along with spell triggered effects from the Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical, allows spells to be cast swiftly on critical hits. These combined abilities enable consistent high damage output, turning each critical strike into a game changer.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | +1 Rapier | Get the Weapon Finesse feat to use Dex instead of Str for attacks. Combine with Weapon Focus. |
| L6-10 | +2 Keen Rapier | This increases your crit range to 15-20, synergizing with Improved Critical later. |
| L11-15 | Cloak of Resistance +3 | Boosts all saving throws by +3, essential for spell defense and survivability. |
| L16-20 | +5 Sentient Rapier | Empower it to act as a spell conduit. Use Spell Critical effectively with your high crit range. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In tight corridors, your Wayang’s small size and high Dexterity offer advantage. Use Battering Blast to forcibly reposition foes or clear pathways. Eldritch Knight’s swift spell casting on critical hits allows rapid adaptation to sudden threats.
- Open Fields:
- With expansive space, mobility is your ally. Maintain distance; use Battering Blast to control enemy movements and break formations. Exploit your critical strike ability to unleash spells, keeping foes at a disadvantage.
- Ambushes:
- Surprising or being surprised, the Arcanist’s adaptability shines. Use Improved Initiative to act swiftly, casting defensive spells or launching counterattacks. Utilize your sentient rapier’s crit trigger spells to turn the tables instantly.
- Defensive Stands:
- When holding ground, rely on Armored Mask for added defense and manipulation of elemental attacks via School Understanding (Evocation). Your ability to quickly cast due to critical hits supports team defense while adding offensive pressure.
- Urban Encounters:
- In a cityscape, utilize cover for strategic advantage. Your magical lineage trait ensures spells like Battering Blast take opponents by surprise. Swift casting during critical hits maximizes chaos in confined urban streets.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Strength and Constitution | Focus on boosting Dexterity and taking advantage of Weapon Finesse to improve attack rolls. |
| Spell Casting Limited to Level 1 under Metamagic | Use the ‘Wayang Spellhunter’ trait to reduce the spell level cost of ‘Battering Blast’, allowing it to adapt well to metamagics. Additionally, optimize the use of the ‘Arcane Reservoir’ for enhancing critical spell effects. |
| Vulnerability to Silence Areas | Carry a ‘Ring of Silent Spells’ to allow casting in silence. Always prepare spells like ‘Dispel Magic’ to remove magical silence effects. |
| Limited Defensive Options Against Physical Attacks | Leverage ‘Armored Mask’ exploit and acquire ‘Mithral Chain Shirt’ for better armor class with minimal penalties. Invest in ‘Defensive Duelist’ for using proficiency in light armor to increase defense. |
| Potentially Lackluster Against High Magic Resistance | Select spells that affect areas or surfaces, like ‘Grease’ or ‘Web’, to circumvent high resistance. Equip ‘Rod of Piercing’ to help penetrate resistance against spells. |
Roleplaying
The Blade Mage[1]’s life is a balancing act. As an Arcanist with martial prowess, you’re more than just an adventurer. You’re a figure of intrigue and power, juggling the responsibilities and temptations of both spellcasting and swordplay. Your character’s dual nature invites fascinating roleplay opportunities, from the whispered secrets of arcane circles to the gritty camaraderie of warriors.
Opportunities:
You belong to the Wayang race, which is renowned for its slyness and shady tendencies. You are a powerhouse because of your proficiency with the Battering Blast. Showing off this ability in epic battles or bargaining with adversaries who suspect more magic than they see are examples of role-playing opportunities. In your palm, the blade sings, resonating with old whispers, hinting at a rich past and adding nuance to your exchanges.
Themes:
Your character could explore themes of identity and balance, caught between the mystic and the martial. Internal conflicts can arise as you wrestle with your nature, striving to maintain harmony between your disciplines. The sentient rapier itself can become a character, offering a voice of counsel or dissent, punctuating your decisions with its own agenda and advice.
FAQ
What makes a Blade Mage[1] unique in combat?
The Blade Mage[1] shines with versatility. Combining spellcasting and swordplay, they adapt to many combat scenarios. Their spell combat ability allows casting while attacking, enhancing their tactical options. Quick reflexes and potent spells make them unpredictable foes. A well timed Arcane Exploit can turn battles in their favor.
What are the must have spells for a Blade Mage[1]?
Prioritize spells that enhance melee combat, like ‘Mirror Image’ or ‘Blur’. ‘Shocking Grasp’ pairs well with spellstrike, increasing damage output. Use ‘Shield’ for defense, protecting while maintaining aggression. ‘Dimension Door’ enables quick repositioning.
How should I allocate skill points for my Blade Mage[1]?
Focus on skills that balance between combat and magical effectiveness. Invest in Spellcraft for identifying and maximizing magical potential. Use Acrobatics for better battlefield mobility. Knowledge (Arcana) and Craft (Weapons) are valuable for enhancing equipment.
What role does the Blade Mage[1] play in a party?
The Blade Mage[1] acts as a versatile frontline hybrid. They deal damage and provide crowd control through spells. Their role shifts based on party composition and needs. They fill gaps between tanks and dedicated spellcasters. Helping direct battlefield flow and providing strategic advantages describes their play.
What is the best race choice for a Blade Mage[1]?
Elves are a popular choice with their Dexterity boost and magical affinity. Half Elves offer versatility with their dual heritage traits. Humans provide extra feats, enhancing customization. Each choice contributes unique advantages to the Blade Mage[1]. Consider racial traits that enhance key abilities.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Blade Mage!
Try the Blade Mage[1] in your next game for an exhilarating experience. Join the discussion on our Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Arcanist – Blade Mage – Pathfinder 1E ( Blade Mage )
Blade Mage
The eternal question of “this arcane class is cool, but can we make it into a Gish?”
The answer is yes, yes you can. Take the Blade Adept Archetype, take one level of Fighter, with the Lore Warden Archetype and then take the Eldritch Knight Prestige Class. Your leveling should look like the following:
Class
Arcanist (Blade Adept) 9/Fighter (Lore Warden 1/Eldritch Knight 10
Race
Wayang. This may sound weird for now but wait for it.
Ability Scores
Put everything in Int.
15Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 12/Con 10/Int 20/Wis 8/Cha 12
20Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 14/Con 10/Int 20/Wis 8/Cha 14
25Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 15/Con 14/Int 20/Wis 7/Cha 14
Traits
Wayang Spellhunter and Magical Lineage, both on the Battering Blast spell(from Dungeons of Golarion). So now when you apply metamagics on that spell, it is cast at lvl-2. So a Tenebrous Spell enhanced Battering Blast is now a lvl 1 spell(originally 3rd). See where that shenanigan goes?
Favored Class Bonus
HP. Doubly so if less PB than 25.
Skills
Spellcraft, Knowledge(Arcana).
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
3-Weapon Focus(Rapier)
5-Fencing Grace
7-Extra Exploit
9-Improved Initiative
Bonus 10-Combat Expertise
11-Piranha Strike
Bonus 11-Tenebrous Spell
13-Improved Critical(Rapier)
15-Critical Focus
Bonus 15-Accursed Critical
17-Improved Trip
19-Staggering Critical Bonus
19-Heighten Spell
So, you can use your Sentient Rapier surprisingly good via Weapon Finesse+Fencing Grace. Improved Critical+Critical Focus opened the doors to get some great critical feats such as Accursed Critical and Staggering Critical. Improved Trip just adds salt to the injuries and via the Eldritch Knight’s Spell Critical and your massive crit range of 15-20, you can cast spells as a swift action whenever your crit which is ridiculous.
Arcanist Exploits by Level
1-Replaced by Blade Adept
3-Replaced by Blade Adept
5-School Understanding(Evocation-Admixture)
7-Arcane Weapon
7-Armored Mask
9-Replaced by Blade Adept
You can switch up your spell elements a few times a day, get a sentient magical blade that you can upgrade by spending Arcane Reservoir and can summon an illusory Armor that acts as a Mage Armor which makes you look very cool.
Equipment
Your Sentient Rapier, Spellbook, Component Pouch.
Final Thoughts on the Build
You get both access to 9th level spells and a BAB of +15 at lvl 20, which makes you by default a Gish. Add to that a sentient rapier that lets you cast quickened spells whenever you crit(which should be fairly often), and your main spell, Battering Blast can be cast at literally all spell levels which is really, really nice and adds a ton of damage on the battlefield. By yourself, assuming one crit per turn, you are dealing some 24d6+15 per round before any buff whatsoever, while Bull Rushing your targets. This is great.
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