Fighter/Wizard a good choice now! [3.5]

MerricB · Aug 1, 2003

Doesn't bother me. There are already heaps of prestige classes out there that I don't use, what are a few more?

Cheers!

Argus Decimus Mokira · Aug 1, 2003

Hey

This might border on something that goes in House Rules, but I don't see the sense in starting a whole new thread.

Anyway, has anyone else thought about dumping the "+1 spellcaster level" class ability for the EK at, say, 4th and 8th level, and replacing them with spellcasting in Light and Medium armors, respectively? Or perhaps just Light armor, at 5th or so? Thoughts/comments appreciated.

Thanks
-Matt

The Blue Elf · Aug 1, 2003

Hey, I manage to get a Fighter/ Wizard to epic level It wasn't easy, and it wasn't my PC.

Pants · Aug 1, 2003

Essentially, here's my problem with the EK. The class offers no real 'prestigious' abilities. You can get the same abilities by just taking straight Wizard levels and the only thing you lose out on is HP and BAB. Not very prestigious at all

Now, take a look at the Assassin's abilities. Death Attack, Poison Use, Specialty spells, bonus to saves vs poison. Most of these abilities you can't get in a base class, which makes the Assassin prestigious or special. The EK doesn't seem very special to me, kinda bland, flavorless. Just blah. This is all IMO of course and sorry if I came across as harsh before.

MerricB · Aug 1, 2003

Call it an "advanced" class, then.

"Prestige" is somewhat of a misnomer. For the most part, PrC are prestigious, but some just allow you to do things that the normal class system doesn't allow.

In this case, have a good BAB and cast spells.

Cheers!

ShadowX · Aug 1, 2003

My problem with the Eldritch Knight is that it has no flavor. All it gives is a bonus feat and 9 levels of spellcasting. Its only purpose is to make fighter\mages. And even at that it does a horrible job, why would a normal mage not take eldritch knight? With 19 levels of spellcasting, a better hit die, and full BAB all a normal mage really gives up is their familiar. Also the niche EK fills has already been filled with many other PrC's, some more overpowered than others but it has been done, we didn't need the flavorless EK. The Mystic Theurge falls into the same category for me.

MerricB · Aug 1, 2003

18 levels of spellcasting; remember the pre-reqs: Ftr1/Wiz5, and you gain no spellcasting ability for the first level of the EK.

You are 2 levels behind a standard wizard, and that's an entire spell-level, something that is considered significant.

The normal mage also gives up a few bonus feats, which are significant to my mind.

Cheers!

MeepoTheMighty · Aug 1, 2003

Pants said:
Essentially, here's my problem with the EK. The class offers no real 'prestigious' abilities. You can get the same abilities by just taking straight Wizard levels and the only thing you lose out on is HP and BAB. Not very prestigious at all

Now, take a look at the Assassin's abilities. Death Attack, Poison Use, Specialty spells, bonus to saves vs poison. Most of these abilities you can't get in a base class, which makes the Assassin prestigious or special. The EK doesn't seem very special to me, kinda bland, flavorless. Just blah. This is all IMO of course and sorry if I came across as harsh before.

I don't mind the fact that the class is flavorless. While flavorful classes are nice, there's always going to be a niche for a generic class that can fit a wide variety of roles.

Sure, it might not have much prestige, but I can add that myself if need be.

And chalk me up for wondering exactly how many munchkinny combinations of eldritch knight, spellsword, and bladesinger I can come up with

Pants · Aug 1, 2003

MerricB said:
In this case, have a good BAB and cast spells.

That's what a straight fighter/wizard is for.

I STILL don't see why a fighter/wizard is a suboptimal choice. You may suck at being a nuke mage but you'll fill the niche of being a good buffer or backup mage rather well.