With the new FAQ on SLAs qualifying for spellcasting prerequisites, I'm looking at making my newest character an Eldritch Knight by level 3. Here's what I have so far, through level 5:
Race: Elf
Traits: Magical Knack, Reactionary
14/17/12/16/10/8
Fighter1: Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Elven Curved Blade)
Wizard1*: Spell Focus (???)
EK1: Power Attack, Arcane Strike
EK2:
EK3: Weapon Specialization (Elven Curved Blade)
I'd either rely on mage armor for my AC, or focus on non-somatic spells and wear regular armor. Which would be better?
What school should I put my Spell Focus into?
*With the Divination (scryer) subschool, I gain the following Spell-Like Ability:
Send Senses (Sp): As a standard action, you place a scrying sensor at a point within medium range (100 feet + 10 feet/wizard level) that you can see and have line of effect to. You can see or hear (not both) through this sensor for number of rounds equal to 1/2 your wizard level (minimum 1). The sensor otherwise functions as a clairaudience/clairovoyance spell with a caster level equal to your wizard level. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.
Since it's based on a 3rd-level arcane spell, it should qualify me. If anyone knows of any specific rules language confirming or denying this, by all means, show me where.
Spell-like abilities gained from class features, that aren't identical to spells, are considered equal to the highest level spell you can cast when acquiring the feature.
Spell-like abilities gained from class features, that aren't identical to spells, are considered equal to the highest level spell you can cast when acquiring the feature.
Can you show me where the rules say this? The Spell-Like Ability entry in the Magic section of the CRB says:
If a character class grants a spell-like ability that is not based on an actual spell, the ability's effective spell level is equal to the highest-level class spell the character can cast, and is cast at the class level the ability is granted.
The Send Senses ability references a spell in explaining how it works, so I don't think you can claim that it's not based on that spell. If there has been a clarification on how to treat SLAs that are based on a spell but not identical to it, I'd love to see it.
@Xavier: The new FAQ does say that SLAs count as spells for acting as prerequisites. That part isn't in question.
RainyDayNinja - Using a similarly rules as written approach, Send Senses is a unique spell like ability. It does not explicitly allow you the ability to cast clairaudience/voyance - merely that the sensor that you can create functions the same as that spell in some ways.
I don't think your loophole works.
Hm, when I wrote the guide to early entry PrCs and feats, I didn't count those "work as" SLAs. But I think RainyDay Ninja is correct.
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Spell-like abilities gained from class features, that aren't identical to spells, are considered equal to the highest level spell you can cast when acquiring the feature.
If you replaced "identical to" with "based on", you'd be citing the rule nearly verbatim.
There are tons of class-granted SLAs that don't even mention a spell. That's what the rule is referring to, and what a FAQ on the subject uses as an example as well.
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As far as advice goes:
For armor, why not go with Arcane Armor Training? You could even take it at 3rd level, thanks to Magical Knack. Then you can wear "real" armor (your AC will never be all that great if you stick with mage armor) without having to severely restrict your spell list. Later you could even upgrade to Arcane Armor Mastery and a mithral breastplate (or just have uber DEX, but 20 DEX plus mithral breastplate is a lot easier to achieve than 22 DEX, and still has a higher final AC). Or if you're worried about the swift action cost conflicting with Arcane Strike, it's not like you'll be casting and attacking in the same turn.
As for Spell Focus, what do you see yourself casting? My EK went with conjuration, mainly for the sake of pit spells.
I'm actually leaning toward just using non-somatic spells, and treating him as a Fighter who can also cast, rather than a Wizard who can also fight. That still leaves classics like True Strike, Feather Fall, Blur, Darkness, Displacement, Dimension Door, etc.
Oh, and I started a new FAQ for SLAs based on spells that don't duplicate them exactly. Go and FAQ it!
It would have to be Divination. So I can get True Strike in my specialty slot at level 1, and Tongues at 3, neither of which have somatic components.
OK, so SKR has confirmed that this SLA does work for qualifying. Here's what I'm looking at now:
Race: Elf
Traits: Magical Knack, Reactionary
14/17/12/16/12/7
Skills (Cad picks me up some nice class skills in exchange for armor I won't use): Acrobatics, Escape Artist, Knowledge(arcana), Spellcraft, Stealth
Fighter(Cad)1: Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Elven Curved Blade)
Wizard1: Spell Focus (Necromancy)
EK1: Power Attack, Arcane Armor Training
EK2:
EK3: Weapon Specialization (Elven Curved Blade)
EK4:
EK5: Arcane Strike, ???
For my arcane bond, I'll pick up a familiar for +4 initiative, giving me a total of +10 at first level. My spells will focus on buffs (true strike, shield) and touch attacks (shocking grasp, ghoul touch).
I'll wear a mithral shirt and focus on kicking butt with my ECB. Thoughts?
Why Elf?
Because he can? And a few benefits:
Good stats for being a wizard. You are still a wizard -2 levels.
Elven Magic: Spell Penetration is good.
Elven Curve Blade Proficiency; this is a good weapon.
Weapon Finesse: This is debatable as to whether or not this is good use of a feat; I think I'd sooner go with a higher Str? But if you want 2-handed weapon finesse, elven curve blade is the only way to do it.
I've already got a couple of human characters, but I don't have an elf yet. And Tengu don't have as good stat bonuses. And since I've got a level of Fighter, I am proficient with ECB.