Shielding swordmage / Sigil Carver / Draconic Incarnation
DONT TOUCH MY ALLIES!!
Build Goal and Tactics
Sapphire is a pure defender (no multiclass) shielding swordmage who acts in second line of the battlefield, with high control features/powers all oriented to protect his allies and himself giving the enemies a big headache all the turns when deciding what to do.
He uses Arcane Reach for
hit as many enemies as possible with Swordbust (its a close blast 3
with arcane reach so being behind his allies is not a problem), imposing
a -2 to hit with Psychic lock, allies get +2 to all defenses if they are adjacent to Sapphire. (the original build had Arcane Admixture/Resounding Thunder for he hit more enemies, but this doesnt work with Psychic Lock), and he activates white lotus Hindrance / Master Hindrance / Riposte = damage when this enemies attack him (hit or miss) and difficult terrain around him and allies.
This features, plus the Sigil Carver level 16 punishment, and aegis of shielding, makes attack his allies a desesperating option, and attack him a bad choice also.
Encounter
powers are interrupts for negate or mitigate attacks or mass marking
powers for the first rounds, and daily powers complete a very well
balanced build in defensive/control terms. Damage is not great, but has
been improved with Githzerai and other little changes. and he will hit
lots of enemies and will get extra attacks from lvl 16 feature, so
overall is ok.
Sapphire's epic destiny is Draconic Incarnation,
pretty cool for him (level 24 feature and 26 power makes him be large
and Huge -> increases burst radius and reach and helps your allies to
be in good positions), increase INT + other stat and level 30 feature
is a fun sweet. Sapphire gets 2 of the best daily powers in the game
(Prismatic spray and Summon Abyssal Horde).
Also Sapphire can become a Gargantuan dragon with
level 22 giant's might power and level 26 daily. 4x4 size dragon, reach
4 and Swordbust and marking can be a 6x6 squares for a fun epic combat!
I considered Ceaseless guardian,
it was the obvious choice for the level 24 feature, but doesnt match
with the build as good as Draconic Incarnation does, and i wanted to do
something different. Planeshaper
is also a good option because the level 24 feature can negate attacks
(keep in mind the level 16 feature is an opportunity action) and has big
control. If you go Planeshaper, take Swordmage Implement expertise at level 24 for 19-20 crits.
Daze/stun is a nightmare for all defenders, but even more for Sapphire (Sigil Carver punishment is an opportunity action). He have some powers/feats/items to avoid this without big problems.
He gets Superior Will and +2 racial to daze, dominate and stun, Arcane student who saw too much background (+1 untyped to daze/stun/inmobilize/restrain saves) and item with +2 bonus. So he can make a saving throws at the start of his turn, and this saves are +5. Also items helps him to avoid this conditions. If you want to improve this, pick Resilient Focus and/or Focused Mind.
If you think this is not enough you can go Topaz Crusader.
Multiclass psionic with Awakened Potential instead Superior Will. Or
take Ceaseless Guardian. Both boring (but effective) and you wont be a
dragon 
Sapphire has permanent concealment (Shadow Band).
Enemies have to choice who attack. All are bad choices. In a normal scenario (marked enemy):
- A marked enemy trying hit Sapphire's adjacent alies is like have a -6 to hit. (-2 mark, -2 Pshychic Lock +2 to all defenses), provoking a basic attack as opportunity action (another chance to activate Psychic Lock if the enemy is not affected), and damage reduced by his aegis or negate the entire attack with some encounter powers. This attack works on a burst 5 (Aegis is a burst 10)
- If they try to attack Sapphire with melee, he should be in second line behind his alies, so they get opportunity attacks (if not already adyacent), they must attack his high defenses, and they have a -2 to hit (Psychic Lock), difficult terrain, and get damage from White Lotus Riposte. He also have bots for avoid multiattackers teleporting as a reaction (when miss) and taking good positions. Also he have the racial interrupt to negate 1 attack/encounter.
- If they attack Sapphire and his allies with ranged area or burst / blast and they are in 5 squares range, they activate white lotus riposte and sigil carver puhishment, maybe get a -2 to attack (if no Psychic Lock active) if he hits (allies also have +2 to defenses), and he can prevent 21 damage (Armor of Aegis Expansion) to all!!!
- If they attack Sapphire and his allies with ranged area out of the 5 squares deadly perimeter, they activate White Lotus Riposte, Sapphire has +6 to all defenses (Cloack of Distortion) and -4 to hit allies and he can prevent 21 damage (Armor of Aegis Expansion) to all!!!
- If they ONLY attack Sapphire with ranged attack in 5 square radius is the best option, then Sapphire is doing his job as defender, he has high defenses and they have -2 to hit him (Psychic Lock) and get damaged from White Lotus Riposte. If they are away more than 5 squares from Sapphire, he gets +6 to all defenses. Also he have the racial interrupt to negate 1 attack/encounter
- If they only attack his allies with a ranged attack (or ranged area), they are crazy. Sapphire can first teleport the enemy to an adjacent position (allies say HI!) with Foe Caller Gauntlets (encounter interrupt power) and then make a melee basic attack -> Psychic Lock, and then ranged attack provoques opportunity attacks (from you and allies), and he maybe affected by his own spell (if it was an area spell) and you can use Rapid Aegis Reaction to prevent damage to 1 ally!
- If an enemy is not marked, he have a -4 to hit adjacent allies (-2 Psychic Lock +2 all defenses), Shapphire have powers for deny the attack and he will have difficult terrain around his allies.
- In adition, our fey companion, gives he and the allies in his aura, protection to combat advantage.
For combats with various ranged artilleries Sapphire have also a daily ring power to get total concealment (stance if milestone) or the Impenetrable Warding power (+3 to all defenses for an stance). Or both :D.
Aegis damage reduction is not maximized but really is not needed because attack allies is very very bad option. Still we take Greater Aegis of Shielding at level 20, and You can take Shared Warding (epic) give +1 to AC to adyacent allies if you want to improve this.
Sapphire has excellent control over the battlefield. The first round and maybe second will be more chaotic, with some mobility, marking all what he can and then getting good position adjacent and behind his allies. Swordburst is his main control tool activating Psychic Lock, White Lotus Riposte, Hindrance and Master Hindrance. Also he have tools for teleport and push enemies in bad positions of the battlefield. Use your fey companion to take good positions.
Sapphire works well for any team composition, but even better with some melee allies with good opportunity attacks, because they will get opportunity attacks when melee enemies try to get in melee with Sapphire. A leader who grants heal and saving throws is welcome too.
The accuracy is high (+38 to hit with weapon powers and +35 with implement powers). We have permanent CA since level 5 because our fey companion (so +40/+37) If you need more accuracy (with Swordbust), pick Coordinated Explosion.
Sapphire has very good defenses (can be higher, see alternative items/feats) and he have permanent concealment and stances to improve defenses or AC even more.
Sapphire has high initiative but not stellar. Feytouched Armor is an option for +6 initiative and invisibility (as standard :/), or another item, but I think Armor of Aegis Expansion is better for the build, and I didnt find another way to improve initiative whithout losing a better item. Comments are wellcome. Still, swordmages doesnt need to go first because Dimensional Vortex exists.
The build is not item dependent, only githyanki silver sword is necessary. Opal Ring of Remembrance is awesome (and now Rare), and other items work well with the build but arent mandatory.
Sapphire needs a rare array of stats, because of feats. He needs INT (obvious), CON (obvious), DEX 15 for Arcane Reach (14 at start), WIS 15 for Superior Will and will defense (14 at start) and STR 13 in epic for Greater Swordmage Warding (11 at start). He doesnt pick this feat until epic because in paragon is better Improved Defenses. He improve INT and CON every level except in level 14 and 18, he improves INT and WIS to balance defenses.
Amulet of life (30), if you need to heal more in all the encounters. Or cloack of the walking wounded (29)
Timeless Locket (24) if you want a +6 initiative and an extra starndard action 1/day for second wind or another non-attack action.
Flowform Armor for an extra encounter no-action save.
Starleather instead Swording Armor for +1 AC and -2 REF
Great Hero's Gauntlets (27) for surge temp hp when action point (you will hit something with swordbust with +2 to attack)
Baldric of Shielding (19) for temp HP when reduce damage from aegis.
Ring of Free Time (29) for resist 5 all. You can get 3 rings too with hands slot (many-fingered gloves) (20)
Bots of Teleportation (28) for at-will teleportation
Head slot items for improve will defense for example circlet of indomability(28) +3 to Will.
Shielding Blade Wrist Razors for a +1 to AC instead +4 damage (IAoP)
Shared warding +1 to AC for all adjacent allies.
Solid Sound +2 untyped to a NAD all the rounds. Great.
Toughness +5 hp / tier
Improved Swordmage Warding +1 to AC
Improved Defenses +1 to NADs -2 to armor
Epic reflexes
Strenght Through Challenge to resist 5 all when 2 enemies or more marked
Triumphant attack to make the mark punishment even nastier when crit
Righteous Fury for get -2 to basic attacks and attack gets rattling keyword (another -2 to hit)
In heroic, Sapphire is near to the typical shielding swordmage, cleaning minions with swordbust, marking enemys and chasing other with booming blade and using his fey companion tactically, marking 1 enemy adjacent to the panther, and go for other with Booming Blade. White lotus riposte for being a bad targed and high defenses.
He will be in first line of the combat, preventing damage with aegis of shielding, Channeling shield, Dimensional Vortex and Trasposing lunge. At level 6 he can mark 2 targets/encounter with Swordmage Decree and 1 more with Swormage Shielding Fire daily. Also Sword of Sigils is multimarking. Fey beast companion helps a lot in heroic.
Some of the heroic feats will be retrained soon because he need a lot of paragon stuff.
The fun starts here, at level 11, Sapphire will start to play different to other shielding swordmages. Arcane Reach and Psychic Lock (Githyanki Silver bastard sword needed) come in level 11, and he gets Sigil Carver level 11 feature (+2 to all defenses for adjacent allies). With Arcane Reach, Swordbust can be now a close blast 3, a nice friendly tool to hit many enemies and activate Psychic Lock and White Lotus Riposte (and Hindrance / Master Hindrance in late paragon).
Sapphire gets the other important feats (Double Aegis, White Lotus Hindrance / Master Hindrance) and level 16 mark punishment. When he gets a good position behind his allies, some enemies will cry deciding what to do. Allies get fun also with opportunity attacks, because difficult terrain and trying to attack you.
He improve the encounter and daily powers to better area/mark/defend powers.
They fey companion helps a lot because he takes a position between you and a melee enemy, avoiding CA for you and allies in the aura, and giving you CA to enemies in the aura.
Sapphire has now a dragon soul!
He gets the sweet epic feats and powers, being more effective doing what he wants. Total Aegis, Rapid Aegis Reaction, and Quickened Spellcasting, nice for spam Swordbust and another power in the first round. Swordmage Implement Expertise is for fun, but effective because he does lots of attacks.
He also gets nice epic encounter and daily powers, more control and protection tools. In level 24 he gets one of the best resurrection features in the game, he becomes a dragon spirit at maximun hit points, being large, phasing and insubstantial with all of his features, powers and items. Awesome.
At level 26, he has another way to become a dragon, size huge, breath weapon, and fly.
The level 30 feature is awesome and gives a lot of versatility. He picks 2 level 25 or lower arcane daily powers for any class. Summon Abyssal Horde and Prismatic Spray are his crazy choices but there are other great powers too.
Race: Githzerai
Class: Swordmage
Swordmage aegis: Aegis of shielding
Paragon Path: Sigil Carver
Epic Destiny: Draconic incarnation
Background: Arcane student who saw too much
Theme: Fey Beast Tamer (Fey Panther)
Starting Ability Scores, with racial adjustments:
Strength 11 (+1)
Constitution 14 (+2)
Dexterity 14 (+2)
Intelligence 18 (+4)
Wisdom 14 (+2)
Charisma 8 (-1)
Ability Scores, with racial adjustments:
Strength 13 (+1)
Constitution 22 (+6)
Dexterity 16 (+3)
Intelligence 28 (+9)
Wisdom 18 (+4)
Charisma 10 (+0)
HP: 211 --> 15 base, +22 Constitution, +174 levels
Bloodied: 105 HP or less
Healing Surges: 14 --> 8 base, +6 Constitution
Healing Surge Value: 52 HP
Defenses (Note that he has permanent concealment, is like +2 to all defenses)
AC:
50 --> 10 base, +3 armor, +9 intelligence +3 Swordmage warding +15
levels, +6 enhancement, +2 feat, +2 item (Elven Chain Shirt)
Fortitude: 45 --> 10 base, +6 ability (Constitution), +15 levels, +6 enhancement, +2 feat, +2 item + 4 Epic fortitude
Reflex: 46 --> 10 base, +9 ability (Intelligence), +15 levels, +6 enhancement, +2 feat, +2 item, + 2 Special (Swording armor)
Will: 45 --> 10 base, +4 ability (Wisdom), +15 levels, +2 class, +6 enhancement, +4 Epic Will, +4 feat
Initiative: +28 --> +2 racial, +3 ability (Dexterity), +15 levels, +8 feat
Speed: 6 --> 6 base
Racial Powers:
Iron Mind
At-Will Attack Powers:
L1 - Swordbust
L1 - Booming Blade
Encounter Attack Powers:
L1 - Sword of Sigils -> Swapped at 13 for Hypnotic Swordplay
L3 - Dimensional Vortex -> Swapped at 27 for Circle of Devastation
L7 - Trasposing Lunge -> Swapped at 17 for Thundering Vortex
L11 - Aegis Sigil
L13 - Hypnotic Swordplay -> Swapped at 23 for Radiant Shield
L17 - Thundering Vortex
L23 - Radiant Shield
L27 - Circle of devastation
Daily Attack Powers:
L1 - Vanishing Blade -> Swapped at 15 for Reaper's Challenge
L5 - Swordmage Shielding Fire -> Swapped at 25 for Quicksilver Blade
L9 - Forceful Dismissal -> Swapped at 19 for Death's resurgence
L15 - Reaper's Challenge -> Swapped at 29 for Transdimensional Invasion
L19 - Death's resurgence
L20 - Sigil of emnity
L25 - Quicksilver Blade
L29 - Transdimensional Invasion
Daily Attack Extra Powers (Ancient arcanist):
L25 - Prismatic Spray
L25 - Summon Abyssal Horde
Utility Powers:
L2 - Channeling Shield -> retrained at 10 for Dimensional Warp
L6 - Swordmage's Decree -> retrained at 14 for Armathor's Step
L10 - Dimensional Warp
L10 - Impenetrable warding
L12 - Sigil of Safety
L14 - Armathor's Step
L16 - Bolstering wardering
L22 - Giant's Might
L26 - Draconic Form
Skills:
Arcana (+33)--> +9 ability (Intelligence), +5 trained, + 15 levels, +4 item
Athletics (+23) --> +1 ability (Strength), +5 trained, +15 levels, +2 racial
Endurance (+26) --> +6 ability (Constitution), +5 trained, +15 levels,
History (+33)--> +9 ability (Intelligence), +5 trained, + 15 levels, +4 item
Feats:
L1 - Intelligent blademaster
L2 - Githzerai Blade Master
L4 - White Lotus Riposte
L6 - White Lotus Dueling Expertise
L8 - Improved Defenses (retrained to Greater Swordmage Warding at Level 22)
L10 - Improved Initiative (retrained to Psychic Lock at Level 11)
L11 - Arcane Reach
L11 - Psychic Lock
L12 - Superior Will
L14 - Double Aegis (retrained to Total Aegis at Level 21)
L16 - White Lotus Hindrance
L18 - White Lotus Master Hindrance
L20 - Greater Aegis of Shielding
L21 - Rapid Aegis Reaction
L21 - Total Aegis
L22 - Quickened Spellcasting (swordbust)
L22 - Greater Swordmage Warding
L24 - Superior Initiative
L26 - Epic Will
L28 - Epic Fortitude
L30 - Swordmage Implement Expertise
Magic Items (Expected GP = 14,625,000):
L29 (2,625,000 gp): Githyanki Silver Bastard sword +6
L29 (2,625,000 gp): Opal Ring of Remembrance
L29 (2,625,000 gp): +6 Cloack of distortion
L28 (2,125,000 gp): Coil of Mindiron
L27 (1,625,000 gp): Shadow Band
L27 (1,625,000 gp): +6 Swording Armor of Aegis Expansion
L24 (525,000 gp): Fey Warrior's Bots (Epic Tier)
L22 (325,000 gp): Foe Callers Gauntlets
L20 (125,000 gp): Diamond Cincture (Paragon Tier)
L20 (125,000 gp): Eager's Hero Tatoo (Paragon Tier)
L19 (105,000 gp): Elven Chain Shirt (Paragon Tier)
L18 (85,000 gp): Horreb Ritual Cube (paragon Tier)
L16 (45.000 gp): Iron Armbands of Power (Paragon Tier)
TOTAL: 14,585,000 gp
Race: Human
Class: Swordmage
Swordmage aegis: Aegis of shielding
Paragon Path: Sigil Carver
Epic Destiny: Draconic incarnation
Background: Arcane student who saw too much
Theme: Waiting for all of the standard themes to be released
Starting Ability Scores, with racial adjustments:
Strength 12 (+1)
Constitution 13 (+1)
Dexterity 14 (+2)
Intelligence 18 (+4)
Wisdom 13 (+1)
Charisma 8 (-1)
Ability Scores, with racial adjustments:
Strength 14 (+2)
Constitution 22 (+6)
Dexterity 16 (+3)
Intelligence 28 (+9)
Wisdom 16 (+3)
Charisma 10 (+0)
HP: 211 --> 15 base, +22 Constitution, +174 levels
Bloodied: 105 HP or less
Healing Surges: 14 --> 8 base, +6 Constitution
Healing Surge Value: 52 HP
Defenses (Note that he has permanent concealment, is like +2 to all defenses)
AC:
49 --> 10 base, +3 armor, +9 intelligence +3 Swordmage warding +1
shield (Rhythm blade wrist razors) +15 levels, +6 enhancement, +2
feat
Fortitude: 46 --> 10 base, +1 racial, +6 ability (Constitution), +15 levels, +6 enhancement, +2 feat, +2 item + 4 Epic fortitude
Reflex:
48 --> 10 base, +1 racial, +9 ability (Intelligence), +15 levels, +6
enhancement, +2 feat, +2 item, +1 shield (Rhythm blade wrist razors), +
2 Special (Swording armor)
Will: 45 --> 10 base, +1 racial, +3 ability (Wisdom), +15 levels, +2 class, +6 enhancement, +4 Epic Will, +4 feat
Initiative: +26 --> +3 ability (Dexterity), +15 levels, +8 feat
Speed: 6 --> 6 base
Racial Powers:
Heroic Effort
At-Will Attack Powers:
L1 - Swordbust
L1 - Booming Blade -> Retrained at 28 for Frigid Blade
L28 - Frigid blade
Encounter Attack Powers:
L1 - Sword of Sigils -> Swapped at 13 for Hypnotic Swordplay
L3 - Dimensional Vortex -> Swapped at 27 for Circle of Devastation
L7 - Trasposing Lunge -> Swapped at 17 for Thundering Vortex
L11 - Aegis Sigil
L13 - Hypnotic Swordplay -> Swapped at 23 for Radiant Shield
L17 - Thundering Vortex
L23 - Radiant Shield
L27 - Circle of devastation
Daily Attack Powers:
L1 - Vanishing Blade -> Swapped at 15 for Reaper's Challenge
L5 - Swordmage Shielding Fire -> Swapped at 25 for Quicksilver Blade
L9 - Forceful Dismissal -> Swapped at 19 for Death's resurgence
L15 - Reaper's Challenge -> Swapped at 29 for Transdimensional Invasion
L19 - Death's resurgence
L20 - Sigil of emnity
L25 - Quicksilver Blade
L29 - Transdimensional Invasion
Daily Attack Extra Powers (Ancient arcanist):
L25 - Prismatic Spray
L25 - Summon Abyssal Horde
Utility Powers:
L2 - Channeling Shield -> retrained at 10 for Dimensional Warp
L6 - Swordmage's Decree -> retrained at 20 for Armathor's Step
L10 - Dimensional Warp
L10 - Impenetrable warding
L12 - Sigil of Safety
L16 - Bolstering wardering
L20 - Armathor's Step
L22 - Giant's Might
L26 - Draconic Form
Skills:
Arcana (+33)--> +9 ability (Intelligence), +5 trained, + 15 levels, +4 item
Athletics (+22) --> +2 ability (Strength), +5 trained, +15 levels
Endurance (+26) --> +6 ability (Constitution), +5 trained, +15 levels,
History (+33)--> +9 ability (Intelligence), +5 trained, + 15 levels, +4 item
Insight (+23) --> +3 ability (Wisdom), +5 trained, +15 levels
Feats:
Human - Intelligent blademaster
L1 - Rose King's Shield -> Retrained at 11 for Psychic Lock
L2 - White Lotus Riposte
L4 - Versatile Expertise
L6 - Improved Defenses -> Retrained at 22 to Greater Swordmage Warding
L8 - Improved Swordmage Warding -> Retrained at 12 to Resounding Thunder
L10 - Improved Initiative -> Retrained at 14 to Superior Will
L11 - Arcane Reach
L11 - Psychic Lock
L12 - Arcane Admixture (swordbust)
L12 - Resounding Thunder
L14 - Superior Will
L14 - Double Aegis -> Retrained at 21 to Total Aegis
L16 - Focused Mind
L18 - White Lotus Hindrance
L20 - White Lotus Master Hindrance
L21 - Rapid Aegis Reaction
L21 - Superior Initiative (PHB 3)
L22 - Quickened Spellcasting (swordbust)
L22 - Greater Swordmage Warding
L24 - Superior Initiative
L26 - Epic Will
L28 - Epic Fortitude
L30 - Swordmage Implement Expertise
Magic Items (Expected GP = 14,625,000):
L29 (2,625,000 gp): +6 Sorrowsong Blade Longsword
L29 (2,625,000 gp): Opal Ring of Remembrance
L29 (2,625,000 gp): +6 Cloack of distortion
L28 (2,125,000 gp): Coil of Mindiron
L27 (1,625,000 gp): Shadow Band
L27 (1,625,000 gp): +6 Swording Armor of Aegis Expansion
L24 (525,000 gp): Fey Warrior's Bots (Epic Tier)
L22 (325,000 gp): Foe Callers Gauntlets
L20 (125,000 gp): Diamond Cincture (Paragon Tier)
L20 (125,000 gp): Eager's Hero Tatoo (Paragon Tier)
L18 (85,000 gp): Horreb Ritual Cube (paragon Tier)
L3 (680 gp): +1 Rhythm Blade Wrist Razors
TOTAL: 14,435,680 gp
Enjoy And Have Fun!
PD: I have to ask if increasing size, increases weapon powers dice [W] too. I think not but im not sure
