Eldritch Knight build


Advice


Hey guys,

I want to play an eldritch knight but am unsure of how to build one. The only other aspect of the build that I have decided is that I want to play a half-orc for RP reasons. My GM has a few house rules that are relevant to the build: we get double feats, and we can increase one stat by two every four levels. I am starting at 5th level with standard wealth and 25 point buy. I am aware of the existence of the magus base class, but am set on playing an eldritch knight. Any help is appreciated.

-Tsaruk

Edit: Some other semi-relavent house rules are rolling ac, and max HP each level. My past two characters died (a combination of stupid decision making and poor optimization) so I am going to try to shoot for a more optimized build.


At 5th level obviously you aren't going to be an eldritch knight yet. You might be a paladin 2 / sorcerer 3, or an inspired blade swashbuckler 1 / blade adept arcanist 4, or a wizard VMC oracle 5, or something else. Is there anything other than aiming for the eldritch knight PrC and being a half-orc which defines the character yet? Do you have the rabid intimidating half orc stereotype in mind, or a huge calm guy, or what?


My idea is an intimidating warlock kind of guy who is able to blend the magic of orc shamans with the martial prowess of an orc warrior.


Earliest entry looks 7th level with 5 levels of wizard and one martial. A Sohei Monk 1 / Empyreal Sorcerer 6 can go into EK at 8th and get wisdom to casting and armor. I am currently playing one and let me tell you, a Sorc 2 / Monk 1 is a slow burn. I hope to survive these early levels. I dumped str and cha to boost my wis and dex and I just weapon finesse so now I can land punches. With this build you'll eventually want monk robes to boost your ac.


That sounds like a witch with the scarred witch doctor archetype. A witch with that archetype has a fairly restricted spell list compared to a wizard (etc) but is otherwise pretty good for an eldritch knight. The strength patron adds divine favor to your list which may be particularly handy for a half-orc with the fates favored trait and the alt racial trait which gives them a luck bonus to saves.

Plan for one level in a class with all martial weapon proficiency for easiest access. It's possible to bypass that with PF Unchained's variant multiclass but it slows access to the PrC. Bloodrager w/the mad magic feat might suit you well.

Feats to note are favored prestige class and prestigious spellcaster later on. Rime spell for use with frostbite and other cold spells may be useful.


Would that particular build be very effective in melee? The party I am in is suffering from a lack of melee damage so although that suggestion sounds perfect, I might need something that is more effective in melee.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Thunderlord wrote:
Earliest entry looks 7th level with 5 levels of wizard and one martial. A Sohei Monk 1 / Empyreal Sorcerer 6 can go into EK at 8th and get wisdom to casting and armor. I am currently playing one and let me tell you, a Sorc 2 / Monk 1 is a slow burn. I hope to survive these early levels. I dumped str and cha to boost my wis and dex and I just weapon finesse so now I can land punches. With this build you'll eventually want monk robes to boost your ac.

Earliest entry is actually Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 1 with VMC Battle Oracle and the Skill at Arms Revelation. However, based on the double feats houserule above, I can't imagine that VMC is allowed at OP's table since it would - well - be pretty OP (pun intended).


It should be OK for melee damage between bloodrage, divine favor + fate's favored, and swinging a falchion. Assuming a +1 falchion, weapon focus (falchion) and an 18 Str going to 22 with bloodrage that's +13 attack, 2d4+12 damage with an 18-20/x2 crit at bloodrager 1 / scarred witch doctor 4. Depending on which bloodline you take as a bloodrager there might be 1d6 fire or something added on to that also.


What should I get for hexes and spells? Misfortune seems pretty powerful with rolling AC.


Tsaruk the Slayer wrote:
What should I get for hexes and spells? Misfortune seems pretty powerful with rolling AC.

I suggested frostbite for use with rime spell above, and of course remember your patron spell divine favor. Mindshock may also be useful. If you can get ironskin (it comes from duergar in the Advanced Race Guide IIRC) then that's your basic defensive spell, if not then you might want adhesive blood or blood armor. And mage armor either way of course. Enlarge person, cheetah's sprint and touch of bloodletting are worth a look.

Your hex save DCs won't keep scaling when you take eldritch knight levels so some will eventually become less useful. Flight will be fine even if it stops scaling after level 5, misfortune sounds fine but if you're rolling AC wouldn't fortune be better? Soothsayer could improve the action economy of fortune. Prehensile hair seems like it might be useful to you also.


Just because I'm bored here's how I imagine feats could go.
1: weapon focus (falchion), extra rage
3: dazzling display, mad magic
5: rime spell, signature skill (intimidate)

Traits with the above might be fate's favored and bruising intellect.


Thanks for your help!


If you want to rage, why not be a Bloodrager and/or Skald, and be able to cast while raging, and wear armor to boot?

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Eldritch Knight build All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.