Eldrtich Knight vs Spellsword

[Thanee]

Being one full spell level behind in progression is a huge reduction in power for a wizard.

Bye
Thanee

 

[FireLance]

Being one full spell level behind in progression is a huge reduction in power for a wizard.

Bye
Thanee

Two, if you count the fact that you usually need to take one level in a class that grants proficiency in all martial weapons.

 

[Tarek]

They have different emphasis.

Personally, I have a character who is currently sor 6+2/Fighter 1/Spellsword 1/Elemental Savant 1.

I don't plan to take another level of Spellsword; the bonus of having -10% arcane spell failure chance is more than enough for me, as that allows +1 Mithral Chain Shirts to be worn without penalty. That way I don't have to waste a round 'buffing' myself with Mage Armor except in very specific situations.

 

[Jack Simth]

Two, if you count the fact that you usually need to take one level in a class that grants proficiency in all martial weapons.

He said spell level, not caster level - a Ftr 1/Wiz 5/EK 9 casts spells as a 13th level wizard (up to 7th level), while a Wiz 15 has 8th level spells - a difference of two Caster Levels, but only one Spell Level.

 

[Corsair]

The thing that bugs me about the Eldritch Knight is that it doesn't seem to require too many tradeoffs for a wizard. From the perspective of a fighter there are plenty of drawbacks: loss of feats, lower hit die and an inability to wear heavy armor and cast spells at full effect.

Compare a Wiz 9 / Fi 1 / EK 10 to a Wiz 20. The EK gains +5 BAB, and an average of 15 more hit points, and skill with all martial weapons. She loses 3 bonus feats, but gains 2 fighter feats instead. The familiar has fewer powers, but more hp than a wizard's familiar. The EK loses 2 levels of spellcasting, so two fewer 9th level spells per day.

So the question remains: is +5 BAB, martial weapon proficiency and 15 hp (20 if Fighter is the first level) a fair exchange for 2 9th level spells per day, 4 less spells in the spellbook and a less versatile but tougher familiar?

Y'know, I think I might have just convinced myself that you're right.

The key isn't what they are at 20th level, but every level on the way. The EK will always been a full spell level behind a wizard, and will only average a handful more HP and BAB. He's basically a wizard who can use weapons if needed.

But yeah, what everyone else said. They are completely different.

 

[FireLance]

He said spell level, not caster level - a Ftr 1/Wiz 5/EK 9 casts spells as a 13th level wizard (up to 7th level), while a Wiz 15 has 8th level spells - a difference of two Caster Levels, but only one Spell Level.

You're right, my bad. That's what comes of reading the boards before 6am in the morning (my time).

 

[mr_outsidevoice]

allow both, but make the classes specific to certain groups or regions.

create an in-game rivalry between the two PrCs and their respective groups.

Ultimately, the playerrs will decide if they want better spell casting or better protection and offensive power in melee.

 

[green slime]

allow both, but make the classes specific to certain groups or regions.

create an in-game rivalry between the two PrCs and their respective groups.

Ultimately, the playerrs will decide if they want better spell casting or better protection and offensive power in melee.

What I was going to suggest. I'm all for restricting PrC's to certain races/cultural groups/regions. It adds more flavour to the generic.

 

[Krafen]

No, the Eldritch Knight is not a better Wizard than a straight Wizard. It is, however, a viable fighter/mage, which was the point.

Incidentally, if you are playing in FR, there are two feats (Militia & Otherworldly) that grant proficiency with all martial weapons; thus removing the need to take a level of Fighter.

 

[Longbow]

IMO the Spellsword is the more fun class. Channel Spell is a great ability. The EK is a bit bland to me. But allow both of them, they´re not overpowered.