Eldritch Knight (full 20 progression)

[The Souljourner]

I find that people tend to way over-nerf mixed classes like this. Here's the problem: fighter 4 wizard 6 eldritch knight 10. 17 BAB, 8th level spells. Plus 4 fighter bonus feats (one of which can be weapon specialization) and a wizard bonus feat and a familiar and scribe scroll.

That's using two CORE classes. Making a single class with full bab and 7th level spells seems fairly reasonable given that comparison. Gain 3 BAB, lose 1 level of spells.

However, I don't really think there's a need. Eldritch knight works just fine as is. Sadrik - I think if you want to make a 20 level arcane fighter class, you can't make it bland... we already have that in the eldritch knight, which works just fine.

-The Souljourner

 

[Bront]

Thank you Souljourner.

This is exactly where I've been coming from with the full BAB and one good save.

I understand you're trying to eliminate the need for the elderich knight by creating this class, but you need to make sure it's not detrimental to take it over doing it the current way.

If you drop the feat at second level (leave combat casting at first.), drop the casting in armor (Sure other casses get it, but what's the big deal? This is closer to a core caster), give him full BAB, drop high will saves, and drop access to the familiar, I think you have a fairly balanced class. The D8 HD is a bit better than the standard EK, but you never take any fighter levels, so you don't get the D10 for a few levels. The slower spell progression helps make up for that as well (Over all, a multi-classed Wizard, Fighter, EK, will have spells at a similar or earlier level, and often have more to start). If you want, you can limit him by a few schools, but it's not needed. Obviously, I would not allow specialization (That bypasses their lower casting progression by giving them extra spells).

I believe there are feats that let a mage cast in armor. If they want to be able to, they can just take that feat.

 

[Sadrik]

Souljourner, Bront.

I dont think that the eldritch knight PrC is good let me explain my reasoning. At low levels the EK is not very smooth in its spell progression as you are jumping around in classes picking up fighter and then the 1st level of the EK. Then eventually at higher levels you becom too strong in spells IMO (BTW the normal EK build allows you to cast 9th level spells and not 8th: 9 WIZ 1 FTR 10 EK with caster level 18 and a +15 BAB). Like I said I think that is too strong at the upper levels and the lower levels are too clumsy. So whats the diffence? one get +4 caster level than the other? Again like I said the progression is smoother at ower levels and it does not top out too high.

Sadrik