D&D 5E 5e Eldritch Knight vs PF Magus

[fjw70]

For those familiar with Pathfinder and the new 5e PH how does the Eldritch Knight compare to the PF Magus? I gave heard people say the Magus was the best fighter/wizard mix D&D has ever seen so was curious how the EK stacked up?

 

[CasvalRemDeikun]

For those familiar with Pathfinder and the new 5e PH how does the Eldritch Knight compare to the PF Magus? I gave heard people say the Magus was the best fighter/wizard mix D&D has ever seen so was curious how the EK stacked up?

I am curious where those people get their drugs, because the best fighter/mage in D&D history was the swordmage.
The Eldritch Knight seems to work well enough. I wish they weren't so limited. It would have been better if their had access to three or four spell schools.

 

[Jiggawatts]

I am curious where those people get their drugs, because the best fighter/mage in D&D history was the swordmage.
The Eldritch Knight seems to work well enough. I wish they weren't so limited. It would have been better if their had access to three or four spell schools.

The best fighter/wizard in D&D history was the 2E multiclassed fighter/mage. Throw the Bladesinger kit in there for the extra cherry on top if you wish.

So I am curious where YOU are getting your drugs.

 

[Ravenheart87]

The best fighter/wizard in D&D history was the elf class. Deal with it.

 

[Silvenger]

I had an Hexblade in 3.5. Then I turned it into a Swordmage for the 4th, and now he will become an Eldritch Knight. Any comments about the EK, you fortunate guys who already have the PH? ;-)

 

[Shroomy]

I am curious where those people get their drugs, because the best fighter/mage in D&D history was the swordmage.
The Eldritch Knight seems to work well enough. I wish they weren't so limited. It would have been better if their had access to three or four spell schools.

I don't have my PH in front of me, but the EK isn't solely restricted to just abjuration and evocation spells; at several levels they can choose spells from any school (I believe four times including at 3rd).

 

[aarduini]

The best fighter/wizard in D&D history was the 2E multiclassed fighter/mage. Throw the Bladesinger kit in there for the extra cherry on top if you wish.

So I am curious where YOU are getting your drugs.

This hands down

The elf was limited to 7th level.

 

[doctorhook]

You're all wrong. The perfect fighter/mage was a 3.5E Cleric.

 

[Eirikrautha]

For those familiar with Pathfinder and the new 5e PH how does the Eldritch Knight compare to the PF Magus? I gave heard people say the Magus was the best fighter/wizard mix D&D has ever seen so was curious how the EK stacked up?

It's hard to compare them, as spellcasters are so broken in PF that I wouldn't want an EK to be the equivalent. However, in an attempt to answer your question, let's look at each in turn.

Magus

• high burst damage (shocking grasp cheese), below-average regular damage
• increasing crit ranges (rapier and agile)
• dex-to-damage (Dervish dance ultra-cheese)
• utility spellcasting

Eldritch Knight

• damage commensurate with other fighters
• static crit range (increasing crit range goes to Champion archetype)
• dex-to-damage RAW with finesse weapon
• fewer and lower powered spells

On the whole, I would say that a Magus in PF is a decent spellcaster that can occasionally hold his own in melee (especially when bursting or debuffing... I have a rime-chill touch magus myself). The power and utility of magic is lower in 5e, so the EK is more of a primary martial (and good at it... equal to most other base martials) that has spells for a little flexibility. I, personally, like the EK better, as I think its better rounded. YMMV...

 

[Ravenheart87]

The elf was limited to 7th level.

Not in Rules Cyclopedia.