Hello Paizo community,
This is my first post on these message boards, and I am requesting any advice or criticism for my Eldritch Knight build that I plan on using in my next campaign. This will start at level 1 and play until max level and max mythic tier. This build is intended to optimize for mid to end game and will use mythic rules. Low levels should progress fairly quick, and I am okay with weak points in the build progression. The character concept vision is that of a classical Gish wizard that can chop 'em up in melee also. For arcane flavor, I am aiming for more control and buffing, and am not interested in being a blaster. 9th level wizard spells are mandatory (TIME STOP!), and the character must cast in full plate. Based on these principles, the Magus does not interest me much with limited spell progression.
I have discussed this concept with my DM, and he is allowing the Magical Knack trait (+2 caster level) and Celestial Plate armor eventually which only has a 20% arcane spell failure chance. This armor coupled with Arcane Armor Training & Arcane Armor Mastery will take spell failure to 0%. In addition, the mythic feat Arcane Armor Training eliminates the swift action to activate spell failure reduction. It ends up being quite a feat tax, but rightly so in my opinion, because it should be hard to cast in plate!
Another point of discussion is the limitations that Eldritch Knights receive with Arcane Strike and Spell Critical class ability both requiring swift actions. There is a mythic Arcane Strike feat that makes it a 1 minute buff and no longer requires activation every round, effectively fixing the broken synergy. At caster level 19, this makes a +4 damage boost for the cost of 1 standard + 1 mythic feat. For this build, I have chosen to skip Arcane Strike feats and use Weapon Specialization, Greater Weapon Specialization, and Weapon Specialization (Mythic) instead. That sums to +9 damage at end game for the cost of 3 feats, with the only drawback being no bonus melee damage for low levels.
Wizard arcane school choice was a difficult decision, but after weighing pros and cons, I am leaning Divination/Foresight. Transmutation enhancement bonus does not stack with wondrous belt enhancement, and conjuration dimension shift ability ends your turn after the port (wish that wasn't so!). Divination increase to initiative and prescience ability to bank an extra d20 roll pre-turn seems like the best choice for the Gish from what I can gather. That leaves me with some sub-par divination spell slots to fill, and for those I say --> True Strike and/or Quickened True Strike.
Standard Levels:
- Fighter 2, @ levels 1 & 20
- Wizard 8, @ levels 2-6 & 17-19
- Eldritch Knight 10, @ levels 7-16
- BAB +16/+11/+6/+1
- Caster level 19 (with Magical Knack) and 9th level arcane spells
Feats:
1-Power attack, Weapon focus Falchion (F)
3-Furious focus
5-Arcane armor training
6-Quicken spell (W)
7-Arcane armor mastery (EK), Improved familiar
9-Improved initiative
11-Improved critical (EK), Weapon specialization Falchion
13-Greater weapon focus Falchion
15-Critical focus (EK), Toughness
17-Tiring critical
19-Exhausting critical
20-Greater weapon specialization Falchion(F)
Wizard arcane school: Divination/Foresight
Opposed schools: Enchantment, Necromancy
Mythic Progression:
1-Archmage arcana (arcane surge), Mythic spellcasting, Feat: Arcane armor training
2-Extra mythic feat: Power attack
3-Feat: Dual Path, Champion's strike (sudden attack), Precision
4-Extra mythic feat: Improved critical
5-Feat: Weapon focus Falchion, Precision (2)
6-Enhanced ability score (+2 int)
7-Feat: Improved initiative, Longevity
8-Mirror dodge
9-Feat: Weapon specialization, Competent caster
10-True archmage, Enhanced ability score (+2 Str)
Thanks in advance for any responses!