D&D 5E (2024) Eldritch Knight

[Azzy]

Why, in the 5.24 PHB, does the Eldritch Knight not allow you to use your weapon as a spell focus? The Valor Bard and the Bladesinger Wizard allow you to do so, so why not the magic-using subclass of the Fighter which is supposed to be a weapon master? It just seems daft.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Seems like that would make sense to for the War Bond weapon(s) be usable as an Arcane Focus, but Arcane Tricksters also have no method to use a weapon as a focus so I guess the logic is Primary Casters = Yes; Tertiary Casters = No.

Does anyone actually keep track of Spellcasting Focuses? I'd probably ask the DM if the War Bond weapon could count as a focus if I ever found a DM who cared about focuses

 

[Zardnaar]

Technically they can. But you have to use a quarterstaff.

What they also need is the hands free casting if the warcaster feat and bonded weapon as arcane focus.

I'm probably not going to enforce the rules on appropriate archetypes eg Bladesinger, EKs, Valor Bards, probably war clerics.

 

[Weiley31]

probably war clerics

I thought paladins and clerics can have their holy symbols on shields for spellcasting?

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Seems like that would make sense to for the War Bond weapon(s) be usable as an Arcane Focus, but Arcane Tricksters also have no method to use a weapon as a focus so I guess the logic is Primary Casters = Yes; Tertiary Casters = No.

That does seem to be the logic, unfortunately.

Does anyone actually keep track of Spellcasting Focuses? I'd probably ask the DM if the War Bond weapon could count as a focus if I ever found a DM who cared about focuses

I have seen it enforced, yes. More than once, actually.

I'm probably not going to enforce the rules on appropriate archetypes eg Bladesinger, EKs, Valor Bards, probably war clerics.

Gotta love when the rules are so well-written that you have to elect not to enforce them.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

In 5e Classic Eldritch Knights didn't get arcane foci of any kind, much less get to use their weapon as one. They used component pouches. Foci were a perk of being a full caster.

I can't say if this was intentionally held over into New 5e, or an oversight. Honestly I don't even know or care to look up how 5.5 feels about Eldritch Knights using foci. Actual management of material components ended up less of a thing in actual play of 5e than intended and New 5e seems to want to streamline it for these spell blade types, so whatever, it won't break anything if Eldritch Knights get lax rules too.

Personally when I'm playing a 1/3 caster (or a small caster dip) I just have them work the three or four material components they actually use in the few spells they actually have into their equipment. Being a limited caster is a fun rp opportunity to actually use components without it being overwhelming. That copper wire for Message makes a good wrap for a sword grip, etc.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Requirements to use hands could have some balance effect on casters. Also, there is RAW never a need to track specific components without a listed cost.

(Edited to remove late-night snark)

 

[ECMO3]

Seems like that would make sense to for the War Bond weapon(s) be usable as an Arcane Focus, but Arcane Tricksters also have no method to use a weapon as a focus so I guess the logic is Primary Casters = Yes; Tertiary Casters = No.

Does anyone actually keep track of Spellcasting Focuses? I'd probably ask the DM if the War Bond weapon could count as a focus if I ever found a DM who cared about focuses

I d keep track of weapon focus if you are using one. Mechanically component pouches work a lot better because you do not need to stow them.

I will point out that you do have the option of using a quarterstaff.

With shield proficiency something that allows this is marginally more beneficial on a Fighter (or Paladin or Ranger) than it is on a Bladesinger.

 

[Gorck]

Why, in the 5.24 PHB, does the Eldritch Knight not allow you to use your weapon as a spell focus? The Valor Bard and the Bladesinger Wizard allow you to do so, so why not the magic-using subclass of the Fighter which is supposed to be a weapon master? It just seems daft.

The Arcane Trickster can’t either. So maybe they only gave it to full-casters, but not quarter-casters

 

[TheSword]

They’re likely to get it anyway with War Caster a feat specially designed for spellcasters in combat. If you start giving feat abilities as class abilities all the time then what’s the point of the feat.

Otherwise don’t use a shield as an eldritch knight.