D&D 5E Eldritch Knight spells

[TerraDave]

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The problem with casting true strike and then attacking as a bonus action at 7th level is you are still losing an attack. You either use the attack action to make 2 attacks, or use your action to cast true strike and then make one attack with advantage. Back to the fact you still roll twice to hit but with 2 attacks both can possibly hit and do damage.

About the only time I think true strike is worth it is during a sniper situation where you are attacking with surprise and can spend a round to buff yourself.

Agree, true strike is a trap. There are lots of ways to get advantage (and hence counter disadvantage), including knocking targets prone and the help action.

 

[DEFCON 1]

the rules are:
- you learn a total of 13 spells and 3 cantrips.
- the cantrips and spells are picked from the wizard spell list.
- the spells must to be evocation or abjuration unless they are gained at level 8,14 and 20.
- you can exchange a spell for another, which you have a spell slot for. (Yes you can change a level 1 spell for a level 3 spell)

One of your initial 3 spells at 1st level is also from any school.

And technically, this is a spell you aren't allowed to "replace" with another non-abjuration/evocation spell. If you replace it, it needs to come from one of those two schools (since the book says only the spells from 8, 14, & 20 can be replaced with non-abj/evoc spells.)

Although as a DM, I'd rule that this was an editing oversight, and that your 1st level non-school spell can be replaced by another non-school spell just like the ones at 8/14/20 can.

 

[Paraxis]

One of your initial 3 spells at 1st level is also from any school.

And just to be clear the cantrips can come from any school as well.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I'm in the process of putting together an EK to play as a High Elf Bladesinger for an eventual Greyhawk campaign. The additional cantrip is nice (giving me 3), because it allows me to get a ranged attack, defensive, and utility spell. Since we're going to be starting at 4th level (which is wonderful), my big question at this point is whether I take and use Mage Armor or not. 13 + 4 (DEX) for an AC of 17 means I can use my Fighting Style for Dueling and the +2 damage. Only problem is I lose one 1st level spell slot every day. Other option is Studded Leather, which would be 12 + 4 (DEX) for an AC of 16, and then I would need to decide whether I'd want Dueling, or take Defense style to bump me back to 17 (and save myself the spell slot.)

Part of my decision will probably come down to what feat or stat bump I take to start with at 4th. My initial thought is +1 DEX (which is how I got the +4 bonus above) and then either +1 CON or make it the Resilient feat for the proficiency on DEX saves. But I also could do Defensive Duelist for the Reaction +2 AC (which could be used as a replacement for or just an at-will minor Shield as well if I wanted.) Although Magic Initiate for the additional 2 cantrips (giving me 5) and the extra 1st level spell (which I could use to fuel Mage Armor) is another interesting idea as well.

 

[Runny]

Blur is far and away the best choice for the 8th level spell. Mirror image just doesn't last long enough

 

[Runny]

I'm in the process of putting together an EK to play as a High Elf Bladesinger for an eventual Greyhawk campaign. The additional cantrip is nice (giving me 3), because it allows me to get a ranged attack, defensive, and utility spell. Since we're going to be starting at 4th level (which is wonderful), my big question at this point is whether I take and use Mage Armor or not. 13 + 4 (DEX) for an AC of 17 means I can use my Fighting Style for Dueling and the +2 damage. Only problem is I lose one 1st level spell slot every day. Other option is Studded Leather, which would be 12 + 4 (DEX) for an AC of 16, and then I would need to decide whether I'd want Dueling, or take Defense style to bump me back to 17 (and save myself the spell slot.)

Part of my decision will probably come down to what feat or stat bump I take to start with at 4th. My initial thought is +1 DEX (which is how I got the +4 bonus above) and then either +1 CON or make it the Resilient feat for the proficiency on DEX saves. But I also could do Defensive Duelist for the Reaction +2 AC (which could be used as a replacement for or just an at-will minor Shield as well if I wanted.) Although Magic Initiate for the additional 2 cantrips (giving me 5) and the extra 1st level spell (which I could use to fuel Mage Armor) is another interesting idea as well.

Don't you need Warcaster in order to cast shield?

 

[Nachti]

Blur is far and away the best choice for the 8th level spell. Mirror image just doesn't last long enough

Blur requires concentration, so it cant be combined with haste. That alone makes Mirror Image better.

Second choice would be greater invisibility (Blur + advanntage on hits).

 

[Runny]

But Blur is available way before haste. And greater invisibility is never seen by most EK in play. Basically, you need something for levels 8-12, and that something is blur.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Don't you need Warcaster in order to cast shield?

Nope, different Reaction. Shield uses my Reaction for the round as a defensive spell. Warcaster is for when I use my Reaction as an Opportunity Attack against someone, and I'm now allowed to cast a cantrip for it rather than make a melee attack.

 

[Runny]

Nope, different Reaction. Shield uses my Reaction for the round as a defensive spell. Warcaster is for when I use my Reaction as an Opportunity Attack against someone, and I'm now allowed to cast a cantrip for it rather than make a melee attack.

Unless you use a one handed weapon without a shield, you need Warcaster to cast spells with verbal and somatic components. You cannot cast VS spells as a reaction while wielding a two handed sword. On your turn, you can hold the two handed sword with one hand and use the other hand for somatic and/or material components.