The Eldritch Knight: A Master of Steel and Spell
The Eldritch Knight is a fascinating Fighter archetype in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition that blends martial prowess with arcane magic. But what exactly are they good at? In short, Eldritch Knights excel at being durable, versatile combatants who can bolster their fighting abilities with a carefully chosen array of defensive and battlefield control spells. They are not meant to be powerful wizards who happen to know how to swing a sword, nor are they intended to be pure damage dealers. Instead, they shine as front-line fighters who are exceptionally hard to kill, capable of disrupting enemy formations, and who can adapt to various combat scenarios with the judicious use of magic. They represent a powerful blend of warrior and warmage, a concept realized through their unique class features and spell selection.
Understanding the Eldritch Knight’s Strengths
The Hybrid Nature
The core strength of the Eldritch Knight stems from its hybrid nature. They are primarily Fighters, gaining all the benefits that entails – proficiency in all armor and weapons, multiple attacks, and access to the powerful Action Surge feature. However, they also gain access to a subset of wizard spells, although limited to the Abjuration and Evocation schools and with only a few spell slots. This doesn’t make them a spellcasting powerhouse, but rather provides them with invaluable utility that regular Fighters lack.
Enhanced Survivability
A key aspect of the Eldritch Knight is their exceptional survivability. They wear heavy armor, granting them high base AC. They often choose the Defense Fighting Style to further enhance this. Adding spells like Shield and Blur, they can become incredibly difficult to hit. This makes them excellent at holding the front line, drawing enemy fire, and protecting their squishier allies. They aren’t just tanks; they’re mobile fortresses.
Tactical Advantage
Eldritch Knights don’t just sit and take hits; they can proactively shape the battlefield with magic. Spells like Thunderwave and Burning Hands can disrupt enemy formations. And spells such as Hold Person or Web can control the flow of combat, turning the tide of battle in their favor. This isn’t about dealing massive spell damage; it’s about strategically applying spells to maximize their martial prowess.
Adaptability
While their spell selection is limited, Eldritch Knights can be incredibly adaptable. They don’t need to prepare spells, instead, they have a small pool of spells they always have ready, allowing them to quickly react to changing combat situations. Furthermore, their spell selections can augment their fighting style to fit different combat scenarios. This adaptability makes them a very flexible addition to any party.
Weapon Bonding
Another key advantage is their ability to bond with two weapons. This allows them to summon a bonded weapon as a bonus action, meaning they can quickly switch between melee and ranged combat and recover weapons that have been disarmed or misplaced. They can even utilize special weapon attacks while still having access to spells, which boosts the variety of actions they can take in battle.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eldritch Knight
What is the Best Fighting Style for an Eldritch Knight?
Duelling is a popular choice if you’re using a one-handed weapon and shield, granting a +2 damage bonus. Great Weapon Fighting works well with two-handed weapons and is particularly good with heavy weapons. The Defense Fighting Style also works well to boost AC. The “best” style really depends on your preferred combat tactics and weapon of choice.
Is an Eldritch Knight Overpowered?
No, the Eldritch Knight is not overpowered. While they are very strong and durable, their spellcasting is limited, and they cannot outclass dedicated spellcasters in terms of magical power. They are a powerful blend of martial and magical capabilities and not overpowered when compared to a pure fighter class.
Is a Wizard/Fighter Multiclass Better than an Eldritch Knight?
A Wizard/Fighter multiclass can potentially be more potent in terms of overall power due to its spell versatility but requires careful optimization. It does allow access to more spell options and spell slots, making it a more versatile magic user. The trade-off is a delay in progression for both spellcasting and martial capabilities, which the Eldritch Knight avoids by having both in one class. The Eldritch Knight’s consistent progression is simpler, more streamlined, and easier to play.
Can an Eldritch Knight Wear Heavy Armor?
Yes, Eldritch Knights have proficiency in all armor types, including heavy armor. However, if you use armor, it does require that you use a component pouch to cast your spells. This makes their ability to become a powerful tank in battle.
What Weapons Should an Eldritch Knight Use?
The ideal weapon for an Eldritch Knight depends on their chosen fighting style. Longswords with Dueling are excellent for shield users. For two-handed fighters, Greatswords and Polearms are solid choices. Ultimately, the goal is to use the weapon that hits the hardest within your preferred style. The ability to bond with two weapons allows them to switch between styles as needed.
Do Eldritch Knights Need a Spellcasting Focus?
No, Eldritch Knights cannot use a spellcasting focus. They must use a component pouch when casting spells, as per RAW (Rules as Written).
Can an Eldritch Knight Dual Wield?
Yes, an Eldritch Knight can dual wield, but they can only bond with two weapons and summon one at a time. The weapon summoning feature uses a bonus action, so they cannot summon two weapons simultaneously.
Can an Eldritch Knight Cast While Dual Wielding?
Yes, an Eldritch Knight can cast spells even while dual wielding or wielding a two-handed weapon. Releasing the grip on a weapon with a free hand for the purposes of casting a spell does not require any action or interfere with the ability to do so.
Can Eldritch Knights Get Fireball?
Yes, at 15th level, Eldritch Knights gain access to Fireball, along with other 3rd-level spells. They will eventually gain access to a limited number of high-level spells.
How Do I Make an Eldritch Knight Better?
Maximizing an Eldritch Knight involves wearing heavy armor and a shield for a high AC, using the Defense Fighting Style, and utilizing defensive spells like Shield and Blur to further increase their survivability. Furthermore, choosing powerful Cantrips and spells that augment combat abilities is vital.
Can an Eldritch Knight Change Spells?
Yes, they can change one spell they know when levelling up. They are also largely limited to Abjuration and Evocation spells, unless they multiclass into wizard.
What Spells Should an Eldritch Knight Use?
Excellent spells include Green Flame Blade and Booming Blade cantrips. Shield, Absorb Elements, Find Familiar, Shadow Blade, Fireball, and Greater Invisibility are other notable options. Prioritize spells that enhance survivability and combat prowess, which are the strengths of this class.
Can an Eldritch Knight Get Shadow Blade?
Yes, an Eldritch Knight can acquire Shadow Blade at 8th level. It is an extremely powerful spell that is a bonus action to cast, providing a huge advantage to the fighter class.
Is Magic Initiate Good for an Eldritch Knight?
Yes, Magic Initiate (Wizard) can be very useful for Eldritch Knights. It grants access to additional cantrips and one free 1st-level spell per long rest. Plus, you can use your Eldritch Knight spell slots to cast the 1st-level spell once you have it known.
Do Eldritch Knights Need to Prepare Spells?
No, Eldritch Knights do not need to prepare spells. They know a fixed number of spells and can always cast those as long as they have available spell slots.
Conclusion
The Eldritch Knight isn’t the best spellcaster, and they aren’t the best damage dealer, but they are an incredible combination of the two. Their strength is their ability to be incredibly resilient and tactical fighters who can control the flow of battle. When played intelligently, they are a force to be reckoned with, a walking bulwark on the battlefield that can also unleash a well-timed burst of magic. If you seek a character who excels at surviving and strategically engaging in the fray, then the Eldritch Knight might be the perfect class for you.