What is the Alternative to Eldritch Knight?
The alternative to Eldritch Knight can be found in other gish classes that combine martial prowess with magical abilities, such as the Hexblade, Sword Bard, Circle of the Moon Druid, and heavy armor Cleric, which are considered more effective in terms of tools and abilities. These classes offer a melee-cantrip focused arcane caster playstyle, similar to the Swordmage, which was designed to scratch an itch the Eldritch Knight doesn’t, particularly with the introduction of SCAG cantrips.
Overview of Eldritch Knight Alternatives
The Eldritch Knight is a unique subclass that combines the martial abilities of a Fighter with the spellcasting abilities of a Wizard. However, for those looking for alternative playstyles, there are several options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between Eldritch Knight and Magus?
The main difference between Eldritch Knight and Magus is that Eldritch Knight has more casting abilities, while Magus has more martial prowess, with the ability to full attack and cast at the same time.
2. Is Wizard Fighter better than Eldritch Knight?
Taking a dip into Fighter can generally surpass the Eldritch Knight in terms of straight-up offense and support.
3. What is the best race for Eldritch Knight?
The Mountain Dwarf is considered one of the best races for Eldritch Knight, with a +2 bonus to both Strength and Constitution.
4. Can Eldritch Knight wear heavy armor?
An Eldritch Knight can wear heavy armor, but it may cause interference with their ability to cast spells, with a percentage chance of failure.
5. What is the point of Eldritch Knight?
The point of Eldritch Knight is to provide a half-caster playstyle, trading features for melee capabilities and spell slots for the ability to tank more damage and hold their own in a melee fight.
6. Can Eldritch Knight cast while dual wielding?
An Eldritch Knight can cast spells while dual wielding, as letting go of the weapon with their casting hand is not an action economy issue.
7. Can Eldritch Knight get Shadow Blade?
An Eldritch Knight who reaches level 8 can pick up Shadow Blade, a Wizard spell that is particularly useful for Fighters.
8. Can Eldritch Knight cast fireball?
An Eldritch Knight can cast fireball at level 15, with access to 3rd-level spell slots.
9. Is Magic Initiate good for Eldritch Knight?
Magic Initiate can be a good choice for Eldritch Knight, allowing them to cast an additional spell using their spell slots.
10. What is the best weapon for an Eldritch Knight?
The best weapon for an Eldritch Knight depends on their playstyle, but longswords with Dueling are a popular choice for their defensive capabilities.
11. Can Eldritch Knight use green flame blade?
An Eldritch Knight can use Green Flame Blade as part of an attack with a weapon, but may not be able to do so at lower levels.
12. Do Eldritch Knights get a familiar?
An Eldritch Knight can get a familiar using the Find Familiar spell, which can be a useful addition to their playstyle.
13. Should I play Eldritch Knight?
Whether or not to play Eldritch Knight depends on your personal playstyle and preferences, but it can be a fun and challenging class to play.
14. How do I make Eldritch Knight better?
To make Eldritch Knight better, consider maxing out their AC with heavy armor and Defensive Fighting Style, and using defensive spells like Shield and Blur.
15. Why is Eldritch Knight called Eldritch Knight?
The name Eldritch Knight comes from the D&D term “eldritch”, meaning mysterious, mystical, or weird, reflecting the class’s unique combination of martial and magical abilities.