Eldrtich Knight vs Spellsword

[The Persian]

Ironically enough ,the Spellsword PRC fit me perfectly as I was a big fan of the Spellsword class/configuration from the game Morrowind.

 

[Prism]

Hello,

I'm debating which of these two classes to allow in my game - they seem too close in flavour to allow both. My initial reaction towards the Eldritch Knight is that it is too powerful a class... but I used to think the same thing about the Mystic Theurge. On the other hand, the Spellsword is more in line with the Arcane Trickster ... rather than simply mixing the main abilities of two classes, it gains unique abilities by merging two skill sets into a distinct whole.

Thoughts?

Shawn

I think they are different enough to allow both but if as the DM you don't mind either why not wait to see which the players choose (if any) and then make that one the standard from that point

I think Eldritch knight as actually the more flexible of the two. You can go the still spell route combined with non somatic spells like truestrike and a fair few spells from complete adventurer which are verbal only. All this while maintaining a good caster level and wearing medium/heavy armour. Or you could build a dex style fighter with mithril chain and the twilight property (Exalted Deeds) to wear armour with no penalty. Or even an unarmed monk style combination. In addition, the channel spell ability of the spellsword is only for melee weapons and so wasted on an archer build, which almost makes the elditch knight seem a better choice by default

 

[Thanee]

By looking at the plane touched example it is indeed difficult to tell whether that list is finite. However if you look at a different example with both a stat block and an 'as a character' write up, say hound archon, you will see that the eating/sleeping and martial weapon proficiencies are also missing.

It does make a lot of sense (to me at least ), though, if the proficiencies are part of the racial hit dice, which are listed in the hound archon traits.

That would be the same way as all classes work, with proficiencies being a (monster) class ability.

Anyways, I surely cannot cite any rules, which clearly show this, I just think it is or should be like that.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Diirk]

I'd think so, because it does list Darkvision specifically, for example, which is also in the list in the back.

I guess they feel the need to point out darkvision is a special quality so that you can't gain it by shapeshifting into the creature; if they only stated it in the racial traits, it would be a bit unclear possibly.

As native outsiders, they eat, sleep and breathe, so this has not to be mentioned specifically, as that's the default, anyways.

An interesting, if somewhat flawed, argument. Where is it specified that this is the default? The racial traits. What else do the traits grant? Weapon proficiencies. So as thats the default too, this doesn't need to be mentioned specifically either ?

This leaves the proficiencies, which strongly look like what you get when you pick up a class, so I would associate them with the outsider monster class (i.e. racial hit dice) only.

I strongly believe that racial traits are completely unrelated to racial hitdice; otherwise they would isntead be racial features, which ARE related to hitdice. If you could find any evidence anywhere that would suggest otherwise, I'd be interested in reading it. But basically all you've presented so far seems to be 'well I think it should work this way'.

We may have to agree to disagree on this one, however I am fairly interested in what the basis is in your belief that proficiencies must be related to hitdice, as I can't find anything in the rules that supports it.

 

[burnrate]

I like 'em both and don't think either is overpowered and, as many have said, they fill different roles. Just to throw a wrench (spanner) into the works, are you allowing bladesingers or enlightened fists?

 

[Angel of Adventure]

I've played a Warforged EK and it was pretty cool. I really like the class, but the Epic progression for them is a raw deal. They don't get any standard progressions @ Epic levels (like a rouge's sneak attack), and they get a bonus epic feat every 4 levels. I really think that they should be getting Epic bonus feats every 3, but hey . . . that's just me.

The Spellsword is a neat concept and, as mentioned, is geared more towards a balanced figher/wizard type, maybe slightly more figher emphasis.

Both are cool, balanced, and should be in your game. I'd say pick EK if you will do just one, but I also like the idea of the two PrCs being rivals.

-AoA