Most attempts in Dungeons and Dragons at making a class that handles both melee combat and arcane magic tend to be prestige classes, some offering features that truly meld the two (Spellsword), and others simply throwing the two fields together with little merging but more raw power (Eldritch Knight). The Duskblade firmly falls into the former of these two groups, but it has something neither of these do: it is a base class, with a full twenty levels of progression.

What sets the Duskblade apart from these others?
The Duskblade possesses several class features setting it apart from previous melee/magic combinations. Perhaps the most useful is the ability to cast her touch spells through her weapon as a standard action. This improves at 13th level to permit her to attack multiple foes in a round with the same spell using a full round attack action. Duskblade touch spells are mostly selections from the Sorcerer/Wizard list; the full Duskblade spell list can be found on page 24 of the Player's Handbook II .

In addition, the Duskblade acquires an ability to aid her in casting any of her spells during combat: quick cast. Once per day for every five levels, the Duskblade may cast a spell as a quickened spell (since the introduction of the PHB II, this counts as a swift action). With this, a Duskblade can still apply her full focus to combat, but still cast a spell to aid herself or an ally, or harm an enemy. In the same vein as this ability, many of the Duskblade's spells already only take swift actions to cast (notably, blade of blood), so this same technique can frequently be applied even without using quick cast.

Two more class features further aid the Duskblade's combination lifestyle. Few Fighters would charge into combat without the protection of good armor, but the life of a Duskblade would seem to be in a conundrum: sacrifice valuable points of armor class, or suffer a heavy arcane spell failure chance? Luckily, the Duskblade learns to cope with this problem by learning to ignore arcane spell failure. Over time, the Duskblade may wear up to medium armor and heavy shields without penalty.

The last of the powers at the Duskblade's disposal is one that will send Wizards reeling with envy. Known as spell power, this ability grants her a bonus to overcome a foe's spell resistance after having struck that foe. The bonus increases with the character's level, eventually becoming +5(!). Not a huge number of low-level enemies have significant spell resistance, but in the higher levels this is a serious boon.

Spellcasting and melee prowess
As stated above, the Duskblade doesn't measure up to the Fighter or the Wizard in terms of raw fighting power or magical punch. She doesn't get any of the bonus feats of a Fighter, though she does have all of the weapon and armor proficiencies with the exception of the tower shield. Also, she receives only a d8 hit die.

While a Wizard can gain more powerful spells, a Duskblade actually casts more spells per day. Her 1st- through 3rd-level spells per day rise to a maximum of 10 each per day, before any ability bonus. Conversely, she knows fewer spells than most any other spellcasters, acquiring only one spell at each level, though a 1st-level Duskblade does start with several spells known. Finally, the Duskblade does not prepare spells like a Wizard, instead casting in the fashion of a Sorcerer.

Final Word
The Duskblade is a great new class for players wishing to mix strength and spells from the very outset. Its unique abilities make the melee/magic combination very potent and differently played from previous classes. Though the Duskblade lacks the raw power of either the Fighter or the Wizard, intelligent play makes it superior to either class in many ways. Give it a try if you're looking to bring new flavor to the gaming table.

-The Wizard
The Wizard possesses a greatsword, but it is carried for its
magical properties, not for melee purposes.