D&D 5E Duelist vs. (later) great weapon master

[Warpiglet]

Hello all,

I usually make a decision and roll with it. However, I recently have been torn about a decision and wanted to learn from others with long term experience with the options I am considering. I am planning to play an Eldritch Knight bolstered by high elf cantrip and Magic initiate feat. Ultimately I am hoping to have silent image, disguise self, shield among other spells by level 4 with 5 cantrips largely utility based.

I am really torn between taking duelist style vs taking defensive style and later selecting great weapon master feat.

Any suggestions about fun factor much appreciated. I am equal parts fluff and crunch enthusiast so at times one is more appealing than the other. Over the years I have learned that a cool character holds my interest longer (e.g. Cool character driven feats are as cool as fun bonuses). Thanks in advance for any insights!

And if if it matters I probably will not multiclass but rather take ritual caster in addition to Magic initiate. The big decision about great weapon master however will shape what I take for fighting style at level one....

 

[Willie the Duck]

Ask your DM how they are handling spellcasting with your hands full. I'm pretty sure the rules on casting when wielding 2H weapons have been solidly hammered out, but they are obtuse enough that your DM could have other ideas and flat out not care what the internet thinks on the issue. Duelist and by that I'm assuming you'll be spending most of your time with weapon and shield, kinda necessitates War Caster (unless you bank on dropping your weapon every turn you cast and pick it up the next, which works in white-room analysis but sounds like a recipe for disaster in-game).

Outside of that, the one thing I will say is that taking the defensive fighting style means that you can switch up what you end up doing (greatsword, polearm, warhammer and shield, rapier while swinging from a rope) and still gain your class benefit.

 

[Warpiglet]

My pal will DM. We go with the two hands not fixed rule: one hand can come off of weapon to cast. This war aster would not be necessary, but if I went with two handed weapons I would want to take great weapon master.

Like me you said, I could go with versatility and take defensive style and switch as desired between one and two handed weapons. I could also go ahead and take great weapon master as well at 4 or 6.

Some me of this will probably be style and role play too--how I envision the character. But does great weapon master provide thrills? Is it fun over time? That is one consideration. Another is wondering how much fun can be had with the highest armor class--defensive style, shield and shield spell...tough decision....

 

[WarpedAcorn]

Its a basically a question of defense vs. offense. The Great Weapon Master feat IS fun, but not because you get to do anything super unique or cool...you just get to do more damage and swing a little bit more. Defensive isn't all that exciting either, but its pretty much always active no matter whether you're casting or melee'ing.

It really depends on how you envision your character. One of the guys in my game is a defensive Eldritch Knight. He is a wall, and he shines when the battlefield is narrow and he can block off enemies. He starts to peter off when there are mobs and not a "big bad guy" to stand in front of. On the flip side, I started off a character using a Greatsword (not with GWF Feat though) and it was AWESOME to dish out big damage and take enemies out in a single swing...but it was less fun getting hit and consistently dropping due to low AC and having no other characters in melee.

Something else I would throw out, although you've probably already considered it, is going Polearm Master instead of GWF. Thematically I like the idea of an Eldritch Knight using a Glaive due to its similarities to a Wizard's staff. So like a Knight in full plate with a dramatic Wizard's robe over top and standing with a Glaive planted firmly in the ground, magic crackling around an outstretched gauntlet.

 

[MrHotter]

Defensive style works with every other fighting style because it's not dependent on weapon types or a shield. It's not a bad idea to start with that and figure out what you want for a weapon style later. The defensive style is rather boring however.

One good thing about great weapon fighting style is that it goes well with the polearm master and great weapon master feats. Those will definitely add some thrills.

 

[mellored]

It's usually more fun if you can do something that the rest of the party cannot. So what's the rest of your party?

Do they need a tank that can run in and take the fire while they launch arrows and spells from afar.
Or do they need damage, laying waste to enemies left and right.

 

[Warpiglet]

Well it will be a smaller party. We will have a valor bard with Magic initiate feat, dex based and my child's second character ever: a dragonborn ranger (beast master UA version) and then me, the Eldritch knight with extra magic. Going to try and be illusionist-light with silent image, disguise self, dancing lights and minor illusion. Hoping to avoid unnecessary fights and throw down when required.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Defensive style and using a longsword in two hands. Switch to one hand when casting spells or when you want to also wield a shield.
As EK you can always drop the weapon and resummon it into your hand if needed as a bonus action.

I don't like dueling style because it works terribly with versatile weapons that I envision with the eldritch knight.

 

[Shiroiken]

I suggest going with Defensive Fighting style, then deciding later. The reason? Party dynamics and Magic Items found. Not every DM custom makes magic items for PCs, and having the wrong type for the magic item you really want kinda sucks. For example, the EK in my group took Archery FS, but they haven't found a magical bow yet (a few magic arrows, however). He currently starts with archery, then switches to sword and magical cutlass (as rapier, but slashing damage) when enemies engage because the group has too many ranged attackers and not enough melee. He really wishes he'd not taken Archery FS.

 

[Warpiglet]

Well, we played and hit second level. I took defensive style which does not rule out great weapon master later. We are playing he revamped keep on the borderlands. I am a long time player that did not play the original! Great fun...the armor class has been nice....only time will tell if I should have gone duelist!