D&D (2024) Not a fan of the new Eldritch Knight

[Paul Farquhar]

Aware. I would put new jump ahead of some of them. Longstrider perhaps?

Not really read the details, but anything that helps you detemine the range at which combat occurs is good.

The trick to EK is picking spells that make you a better fighter, not trying to be a second rate knock-off wizard.

 

[Horwath]

Not really read the details, but anything that helps you detemine the range at which combat occurs is good.

The trick to EK is picking spells that make you a better fighter, not trying to be a second rate knock-off wizard.

in 2014 taking the unholy reaction trio of Absorb elements, Shield and Silvery barbs for 1st level spells.
and there is a lot of useful 2nd level spells that do not require Int at all.
about 3rd levels spells.... who cares, campaign is over 95% of the time...this is why I hate 1/3rd casters.

 

[Zardnaar]

Not really read the details, but anything that helps you detemine the range at which combat occurs is good.

The trick to EK is picking spells that make you a better fighter, not trying to be a second rate knock-off wizard.

You aware of the new jump? Mobility makes you a better fighter.

 

[Ashrym]

wow, you can cast Dimmension door or Banishment? wizard is already destroying reality with wish for two levels.

That's an apples to oranges comparison. EK's should be compared to other fighter subclasses. Fighters and Wizards are too dissimilar to compare in that way.

 

[Horwath]

That's an apples to oranges comparison. EK's should be compared to other fighter subclasses. Fighters and Wizards are too dissimilar to compare in that way.

yes, I know that.
however, it's very lame to get your good features when the party is already over.

I wanted to say that comparing to full casters and paladins, there was room to make EK and AT halfcasters, with buffing up rest of subclasses.
It would not make them OP in any sense and it would close the gap for martials to full casters.

 

[Zardnaar]

yes, I know that.
however, it's very lame to get your good features when the party is already over.

I wanted to say that comparing to full casters and paladins, there was room to make EK and AT halfcasters, with buffing up rest of subclasses.
It would not make them OP in any sense and it would close the gap for martials to full casters.

At that level Improved invisibility seems good on a fighter. Two different jobs

 

[Horwath]

At that level Improved invisibility seems good on a fighter. Two different jobs

it would still take 13 levels(instead of 19) to get Improved invisibility.
if you do not have see invisibility by then, that you deserve to get Action surged to death with advantage.

 

[Zardnaar]

it would still take 13 levels(instead of 19) to get Improved invisibility.
if you do not have see invisibility by then, that you deserve to get Action surged to death with advantage.

Poor man's foresight.

 

[Horwath]

Poor man's foresight.

that can be countered by low level potion, heh.

that is why it's great at 7th level to have a wizard cast that on you. Much less chance to have a counter to it.

 

[ECMO3]

You really cant get EB without taking a level in Warlock anyway now that Magic Initiate is limited to CDW. Combined with the other issue it sounds less like Eldritch Knight is worse and more like it no longer having the same multiclass synergies.

Which I'd wager is the point of the changes.

That doesn't make a lot of sense when many other things for 2024 have more synergies and exploits. Heck, just look at the Paladin.

A lot of spells you would cast and are better have a very high opportunity cost. People mention Improved Invisibility above. That is an action cast, and is a high price to pay early in a combat, even at 13th level and especially when it requires concentration. I think regular 2nd level invisibility, cast long before combat, is probably more valuable on an EK in most combats.

As far as intelligence goes, it does very little for an EK. Obviously a good score in an ability is always better than a bad score, but in terms of leveled spells it is highly situational where a good score will help a Fighter and in those situations a 14 is usually not going to be a lot better than an 8. Int would help with using Ranged weapons and Truestrike, but you are painting yourself into a corner with it if you boost it over strength (even with Shileleagh). You don't have enough slots to really make it really worthwhile to invest in intelligence.

Even with the changes, I think the best EKs are going to go Charisma and dip one level of Warlock. One level is a big boost to combat, even with a strict interpretation of the rules regarding "Wizard spells".

Warlock gives you pact of blade, which is a lot more flexible than Shillelagh. It also gives you Armor of Agathys, which is a great spell for a fighter and Hex which is not great, but better than most of the 1st level spells you would get from Wizard (shield and absorb elements excepted). Things like Mirror Image and Blur seem really good, but they are an action to cast and that really cuts into your damage. AOA and Hex are a bonus action, so they cut into your melee damage a lot less. You can dump intelligence and use Booming Blade for your Warmagic Cantrip. Green Flame Blade is situationally worthwhile too, but with a low intelligence your damage to the second target is down a bit.

Unlike the other EK features, Eldritch Strike is NOT limited to "Wizard spells", so you can pick up Wrathful Smite through either a Paladin dip or Shadow Touched and those you target with Wrathful Smite always have disadvantage on their save. Then fuel it with your EK spell slots. Pick up things that don't use intelligence as your Wizard spells.