Shatter Me (A Visit to the Buff-et: Aetherblade)

Yesterday we discussed party metabalance and the “fifth wheel” class of “buff-er” or support roles characters. A great support character can fill in for missing character roles or make the going much easier on a larger party. We’ll be looking at some of the more unusual offerings for this role over the next few days. And today we look at blade shattering master of auras… the Aether Blade by Amora Game.

Buff-et Basics: The Aether Blade

As we look at the aether blade we will be comparing them to the Core Rulebook bard’s abilities to benchmark:

• Song of Steel: Full BAB beats the bard, blow for blow. The weapon selection is more narrow gaining only simple weapons but you get access to your Aether Weapon, a magic weapon made of soul energy. Armor is still light but the addition of a Charisma modifer to AC results in a formidible defense for the character..
• Song of Magic: None really to speak of. Ouch. You do gain a single spell-like ability of 1st to 4th from the sorcerer/wizard lists. This can be used to get some faster effects particularly paired with the Quicken Spell-Like ability feat. The full-BAB comes with a pretty hefty price tag but with your AC and attacks you are probably going to be more of a front liner in your party. It also gains the ability to ingest and specialize in certain categories of magic items.
• Song of Lore: Falling in line with the classic fighter role as much as the bard, the aether blade pretty much falls flat on this one with a 2+INT allotment and a small array of skills. This role is definitely cannot cover skill-use in the overall party metablance.
• Song of Support: The aether blade can “shatter” its signature magical weapon (don’t worry it instantly reforms) but on bursting it generates an aura of residual energy that can augment a large array of attributes. Eventually you can augment more than one attribute at the same time. Possible buffs include:
  • Aura of Celerity: This aura grants a morale bonus on Initiative
    checks equal to the value of the aetheric aura.
  • Aura of Concentration: This aura grants a morale bonus on to all Concentration checks.
  • Aura of Courage: This aura causes those under its effects to deal more damage. Allies receive a morale bonus on all melee damage rolls.
  • Aura of Defense: This aura grants a morale bonus on CMD checks equal to the value of the aether blade’s aetheric aura.
  • Aura of Eldritch Empowerment: This aura grants a morale on caster level checks.
  • Aura of Elemental Protection: This aura grants resistance to one element (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic) chosen at the time of its activation equal to 5 times the value of the aether blade’s aetheric aura.
  • Aura of Fearlessness: This aura grants a morale bonus on saves vs fear effects.
  • Aura of Furious Assault: This aura grants a morale bonus on attack rolls equal to the value of the aether blade’s aetheric aura.
  • Aura of Offence: This aura grants a morale bonus on CMB checks.

Compared to the bard, the aether blade is a more aggressive support character. Its full BAB and persistent auras are sure to earn it a solid front line place that most of the rest of the party will want to be near for the the aura benefits.

Not the right fit for you? Come back tomorrow for “buff-et” eats.  Paramour is our support role claass or you can pre-order the Book of Beyond WIP subcription or see our other products at: d20pfsrd.com, drivethruRPG, paizo and RPGNow.