Changing eldritch knight prereqs

[JRR]

I really like rhe eldritch knight class, but I'd like the option of a more martial fighter/mage. As it stands, the ek seems to be a mage/fighter. I'm thinking of changing the 3rd level spells requirement to 1st level spells and 5 ranks of knowledge arcana. That way, a fighter 4/wizard 5 could enter it, or a fighter 1/wizard 5 as it stands now. At 20, you could be a fighter 9/wizard 1/EK 10. Anyone think that would be unbalancing?
Thanks.

[Remco Sommeling]

JRR wrote:

I really like rhe eldritch knight class, but I'd like the option of a more martial fighter/mage. As it stands, the ek seems to be a mage/fighter. I'm thinking of changing the 3rd level spells requirement to 1st level spells and 5 ranks of knowledge arcana. That way, a fighter 4/wizard 5 could enter it, or a fighter 1/wizard 5 as it stands now. At 20, you could be a fighter 9/wizard 1/EK 10. Anyone think that would be unbalancing?

Thanks.

It would make the class easier to enter for the original concept as well

What about :

knowledge arcana 6 (lvl 6 was the minumum lvl to enter before)
able to cast 1st lvl arcane spells
proficiency with all martial weapons

I think it's better to make a new prestige class modeled after the arcane archer more than eldritch knight.

I'd consider requiring 2nd level arcane spells to make this class more accesible though, 1st level arcane spells cost you 1 BAB only, it seems a bit too easy compared to a more arcane focused EK that loses 2 caster levels.

[Name Violation]

if you do that, you may want to get rid of 1 or 2 of the "+1 spell casting" at certain levels. maybe give them an extra bonus feat instead. just to keep it more martial flavored.

[JRR]

Remco Sommeling wrote:

It would make the class easier to enter for the original concept as well

What about :

knowledge arcana 6 (lvl 6 was the minumum lvl to enter before)
able to cast 1st lvl arcane spells
proficiency with all martial weapons

I think it's better to make a new prestige class modeled after the arcane archer more than eldritch knight.

I'd consider requiring 2nd level arcane spells to make this class more accesible though, 1st level arcane spells cost you 1 BAB only, it seems a bit too easy compared to a more arcane focused EK that loses 2 caster levels.

Yeah, Knowledge arcana 6,it what I was aiming for. The 1st level spells only requirement doesn't really make him more powerful imo, it just makes it easier to enter. Seems to me a fighter 5/wizard 1 should be about equal in ability to a fighter 1/wizard 5. It'll just play vastly different. For someone who wants to be in melee, yet still cast spells, suffering through several mage levels sucks. At endgame, there won't be much difference, but he'll shine more (as a melee guy) through the early to mid levels.