VeryBasicGuide - Eldritch Knight (Dungeons and Dragons 5e Fighter Subclass)

Рет қаралды 34,404

4 жыл бұрын

This is a video that goes over the Martial Archetype Eldritch Knight, a very interesting blend between Wizardry and Fighteriness in the Player's Handbook.
I just wanted to talk more about the individual subclasses of #dungeonsanddragons 5e, which allows me to focus on one topic rather than trying to cover a variety of different things.
And also I tried changing the animation program I was using to something that I felt was more organic when drawing the pictures.
I hope you enjoy it!
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Outro Music provided by Free Vibes: • Video
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"The Show Must Be Go" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (creativecommons.org/licenses/b...)

Пікірлер: 96

@thevaxia1506 3 жыл бұрын

This video seemed way more informative than most of the other 20-30 minute videos on the subject. And gave a good understanding of everything the class offers. Definitely gonna show my other friends getting into d&d your videos

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, I'm glad that you found the video to be informative and I hope you and your friends will enjoy D&D together!

@mikedavis1476 2 жыл бұрын

DEFINITELY AGREE!!

@phoenixhorn-nc7tk Жыл бұрын

If you can't explain it succinctly, you don't know what you're talking about

@pandoratheclay 3 жыл бұрын

Looking at the restrictions Making a pure EK viable shows that you are good and understanding of the class

@absolstoryoffiction6615 2 жыл бұрын

Lv20 Eldritch Knight Feats: Warcaster + Mage Slayer + Sentinel + Telekinetic + Tavern Brawler Stats: Normal Human (Point Buy) 15 (+1) Con/Dex/Int 9 (+1) Str/Wis/Chr Background: Soldier Starting Armor: Chain Armor, Dual Double Handed Heavy Great Swords, Crossbow + 25× Bolts Me: "I'm still poor of Gold..." (My Weapon Bonded Great Swords are for show when I'm just holding both of them in my hands... Until I purposely put one away or plunge it into the floor/dropping one... But for the most part. Tavern Brawler will be used for unarmed combat, kicks and punches + 3x Extra Attack etc.)

@Tsukinotaku 2 жыл бұрын

@@absolstoryoffiction6615 I would love to do that but with two spears or halberds just for the hell of it

@bskec2177 3 жыл бұрын

EKs should avoid the Booming Blade/Greenflame Blade trap. Go for either ranged or utility cantrips. Even things like frostbite or Freezing Ray, which effect movement or attacks will have more long term use in combat, while out-of-combat spells like prestidigitation and mage hand are always "handy". First level Absorb elements might very well have been created with EK in mind. It works better with them than any other class. Feather Fall is a good out-of-school choice, protecting a front liner from pitfalls. Neither requires a high Int to work well either. Fireball is everyone's go-to for 3rd level, but on an EK, Counterspell may be the better option, to lock down a squishier spellcaster so you can then beat them physically.

@lidular 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, with most of what you say. Except booming blade can be really useful if you have war caster. Then you can get a more out of your attack of opportunity. But I would almost never use it as my main attack.

@absolstoryoffiction6615 2 жыл бұрын

@@lidular Most often, since campaigns are around lv4 to lv15... My Eldritch Knight has (Feats) Telekinetic, Warcaster, and Tavern Brawler (even though Warcaster, Mage Slayer, and Sentinel is better for action economy). OA Pre Turn: Fire Ball Action: Fire Ball Bonus Action: Telekinetic Action Surge: Fire Ball OA Reaction: Fire Ball End of my turn...

@shealupkes 2 жыл бұрын

I'd argue for limiting yourself to utility and aoes for cantrips as unlike full casters you can't replace them during asis

@bskec2177 2 жыл бұрын

@@shealupkes Another fact to consider for utility spells is what other casters are in your party. If you're just duplicating what someone else is already doing, it's kind of pointless.

@shealupkes 2 жыл бұрын

@@bskec2177 it's a good thing you have 2 more levels to decide which to take

@matthewmiller1847 4 жыл бұрын

A pure EK is great for being a tank with high AC and access to Shield and Absorb Elements. Also you can take Haste Spell at 14th level for more AC and another attack. Personally though I like the gish aspect and spells so I have an EK that is multiclassing into War Magic Wizard for way more spells, more spell slots, as well as other good features from that wizard subclass. Since green flame/booming blade scales with overall level you can get damage close to that of the 3 attacks with just the cantrip + war magic attack. I know the video isnt about multiclass options but I find this build to be extremely fun and the perfect tanky gish.

@Greyscales 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching the video! Yea, I personally have never messed with multiclassing in the games I have played, but I do know how strong it can be if you plan it out accordingly and I can see how the War Magic tradition can synergize well with the EK. Just be careful that you will be using the Multiclass Spell Caster table for your Spell Slots, and EK being 1/3 Caster, can be annoying and also you will be losing your 1 d10 Hit die on Wizard level up (1d6 for Wizard levels) making you a little bit more vulnerable. And I agree that the scaling damage from Green Flame/Booming blade is really nice, but I feel that a Fighter with 3 Attacks + saving their bonus action for something like Shield Master or Polearm Master or a bonus action spell like Misty Step is usually the option that I find to be more appealing. But in the end Dungeons and Dragons is about doing whatever you want with your friends! Thanks for your comment man!

@samuelbroad11 Жыл бұрын

Bladeward is a great cantrip to pair with warmagic for when you want to tank. I really liked your tickle. Love your style.

@rocksnrolls 3 жыл бұрын

I recommend multiclassing into Wizard or Sorcerer. But i like the Eldritch knight a lot.

@lidular 2 жыл бұрын

I think that one just have to face the fact that you EK just isn't a blaster mage. I personally choose control or defensive spells. Except for firebolt which is the only ranged attack I have. I use booming blade as a way to get more out of an attack of opportunity, and then lighting lure in order to move opponents. If you want to do damage as a fighter, it is almost always better to just use your main weapon, so your spells should either enforce that or do something else.

@absolstoryoffiction6615 2 жыл бұрын

Warcaster, Sentinel, and Mage Slayer feats are probably the first 3 feats to obtain for an EK at lv12 since most campaigns end at lv15.

@bumblebot2458 2 жыл бұрын

To be fair, running the numbers does show that Green Flame Blade works decently at level 11 assuming there's two enemies within 5 feet of each other, as it deals an autohit on the second one for 3d8+int. Plus War Magic let's you make a weapon attack as a bonus action right afterwards. Assuming both strength and intelligence are a 16 with a Longsword, it's about 44 damage with that and 24 damage with extra attack if you can line it up right. Granted it means the two enemies need to be within 5 feet of eachother, but it is worth noting.

@ozoneislucky 4 жыл бұрын

Insane production qualily for a 6 subscriber channel I’m currently theorycrafting a crossbow expert / sharpshooter ek, which means no booming blade or gfb :/ prolly just gonna take shocking grasp and light since humans don’t have darkvision idk tho

@Greyscales 4 жыл бұрын

Hey man thanks for checking out my video! I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for the compliment. I think the Crossbow Expert / Sharpshooter combo is just really strong in general, and any Fighter subclass works, although mechanically the Battlemaster or Samurai will probably take the cake for being more consistently powerful. However, Eldritch Knight is probably more fun due to the Wizard spells and cantrips you get access to!

@TheCzarsoham 3 жыл бұрын

Great art and great information! I am looking forward to more videos from you!

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video, thank you for the support!

@lordbeesyrup 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for uploading this! I've never played a martial class before in DND and my group needs one so I've been looking around at the various subclasses for different martial classes to figure out what to pick. This is really helpful and informative.

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad I could help, thank you for the comment!

@KoboldGamer Жыл бұрын

I don't do it myself, but EK's can completely ignore INT, you can just pick up buff spells that don't care about your INT mod for saves. However, if I had to give advice, have a 13 INT at least and absolutely get at least 1 level of wizard, it does so much for you. Arcane recovery, more cantrips, more first level spells, hybrid spellcasting (chapter 6, so you can end up with higher level slots yet no spells to cast at that level), the ability to attune to Wizard only magic items like staves and wands. And most importantly, I believe, is the spellbook and ritual spellcasting. Grab up every ritual you can using your gold and just write them down in your spellbook, which includes identify, detect magic, find familiar, and many others. You sacrifice that level 20 4th attack for a massive upgrade in your utility.

@nnickplays9713 Жыл бұрын

Spell feats like fey touched and strix initiate are really helpful. Fey touched can net stuff like hex, hunter's mark, Silvery Barbs, gift of Alacrity + Misty Step. Strix initiate can nab a cleric spell for healing word or a buff like shield of faith + guidance cantrip. Also races with spells like Mark of the Sentinel pair beautifully because of the added spells to their spell-list (like counterspell and shield of faith)

@mirthfulArtist 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful! :0 I'm definitely interested in this channel now. I'd love to see more gish breakdowns. (like the bladesinger?) ...And gosh do I miss the Pathfinder Magus. 😭

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your interest mirthful! I'll probably try to do a subclass for each main Class first and then see if I have time to loop around and do more. I've never played Pathfinder but I do have Pathfinder Kingmaker and I have seen that it is a game that is chock full of character customization choices and it all seems pretty cool!

@stormlewis5214 2 жыл бұрын

I love this it's so hype thanks

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you liked it!

@toasteroftheomnissiah1372 3 жыл бұрын

i feel like this channel is about to blow up

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying that!

@Bobiguy 2 жыл бұрын

Love it!

@IrishKatana 13 күн бұрын

Maybe a few things they could have done is that instead of choosing to do an attack or spell you could give up an extra attack(s) equal to the level of the spell you cast, so like for a level 1 spell you give up one extra attack. And for cantrips you can use those as a bonus action.

@kmoustakas 3 жыл бұрын

Bonus action upcast shadowblade to level 3, move, attack 3 times, declare action surge, attack 3 more times, teleport away.

@absolstoryoffiction6615 2 жыл бұрын

With Warcaster, Mage Slayer, and Sentinel... Teleport close to another PC or ally NPC for Opportunity Spell Casting against the enemy who might trigger the Feats.

@000Dragon50000 3 жыл бұрын

Fire Melee Dragon Sorcerers can do Eldritch Knighting better than actual Eldritch Knights, but Elves and Variant Human are basically the only races for it because you need to be Dex/Cha/Con for this to work out. GreenFlame Blade improving at 5, plus their level six boost to fire damage effectively gives them a level six extra attack ALA other martial spellcaster archetypes. Then they're also a full spellcaster too. Sorcery points let you cast GFB and also another spell in your bonus action, which can include another GFB.

@youtube_comments5575 3 жыл бұрын

2:45 You fail to mention that at level 11, Booming Blade/Green Flame Blade both get buffs as well. These buffs on those cantrips occur every time the fighter gets an extra attack, actually. So in essence, the blade cantrips scale with extra attack as you progress through the levels.

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Actually, that is incorrect. To use those cantrips you must take the "Cast A Spell" Action, not the regular "Attack" action, therefore you cannot use Extra Attack from the Fighter base class because Extra Attack requires you to use the Attack action, the cantrip description does not count as an Attack action. But yes, the cantrips do naturally scale. Thank you for the comment!

@anthonyhalloway428 3 жыл бұрын

It's true that the cantrips don't count as an Attack action for the purposes of Extra Attack, but because of that damage scaling, they keep pace really well. I think what OP was saying here is that the cantrips make up for not getting that extra attack with their natural scaling. Say you're using a Longsword in one hand, dealing 1d8. At 5th level, using either Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade adds an extra d8 to that attack, and the damage output actually beats using both attacks if you can proc the secondary damage. Even at 11th level and beyond, if you're making your bonus action attack from War Magic and the secondary damage can trigger, your average damage shoots pretty considerably above making all of your attacks normally.

@mikeuuby Жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales you forgot the level 7 abilith to cast a cantrip like booming blade and have a second attack on the same action.

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

@@mikeuuby The 7th Level feature War Magic allows you to take one weapon attack as a Bonus Action, not as part of the same Action. I'm pretty sure I talked about it in the video how War Magic is a fine way to make up for not using Extra Attack but I still do think that your Extra Attacks will out scale your War Magic.

@BlazingBoar 8 ай бұрын

In my groups DMs let me reflavor bounded weapons as being summoned like Thor's hammer instead of the teleportation option. This leads to such fun as throwing a sword into a guy, then summoning it back through another guy's back, before using it to stab a third guy in the neck. Not in the rules, but very fun to play around with.

@hazedflames9938 2 жыл бұрын

honestly this subclass needs some love like being made into a half caster then when you use that spell it would be alot more worth it or change the ability to be able to substitute one of the attacks to using a cantrip like the bladesong wizard subclass because as it stands now even at level 20 the spells you have wont be worth casting compared to just attacking normally

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

There is definitely some jankiness with the imbalance between how your stuff synergizes, but I do think the Eldritch Knight having access to spells like Shield and other abjuration stuff is pretty powerful. But I can absolutely see where you're coming from!

@hazedflames9938 2 жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales also doesn’t help that it’s a MAD subclass 😂 like if you wanted to get your spell saves up it will take most of your asi to level your attack stat and con and int And 3rd level spells are basically useless at level 18-20 plus the limited selection of spells cose most of the useful spells are not what you can normally pick When I played EK I took 2 levels of wizard and went war wizard to get extra spells and ritual casting plus the awesome reactions like mini shield and the plus to saves and initiative

@matthewschultz7390 11 ай бұрын

I really only play Eldritch Knights for the purpose of getting Gift Of The Metallic Dragons to make myself a healer, seeing as I'm usually stuck as one.

@tiskster_ptm4075 2 жыл бұрын

Doing D&D with my freinds as an elderitch knight so ty

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could be of service!

@user-rx2rw7jk8t 6 ай бұрын

Can you talk about the War domain cleric next? Thanks.

@yarion4774 3 жыл бұрын

Great stuff. Very compact and well formulated. Some production issues like some rough transition in the voice over but that is something that will get better with time. You have something great going. Keep it up!

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying so Yari! I'll try my best to improve but since I don't have a mic and I record my voice with just my phone, it might take a while for the audio to be fully seamless. But thanks for the feedback!

@dragonhearthx8369 2 жыл бұрын

Mark of making, does seem to help with this subclass. A concentration free magic weapon is very helpful.

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

Yea if you're using the Eberron settings it could be fun to try out!

@dragonhearthx8369 2 жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales I like to think of the "mark" sub races as family/genetic magic. That way you can play them in other settings.

@ryxga6392 2 жыл бұрын

Hey man, I wanted to ask if you could also upload a video about the battlemaster and champion subclasses of the fighter. I'm new to dnd and want to be useful to my party members so I need help with choosing which of them I should play

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

I may upload other subclasses in the future, however I'm busy with college right now and I'm planning on trying to do one subclass per class so the Barbarian is next. Thank you for the comment though!

@Bedhed47 Жыл бұрын

Bonded weapon is useful for thrown weapons. Like a Trident

@ridwana4037 3 жыл бұрын

4:40 Sorry, I'm going to be a rule lawyer here. On PHB P.202, It's said that you can't cast 2 spells on one turn, unless one of the spell is a cantrip (Or you have something else, like sorcerer's twinned spell).

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Ridwan, I believe that you are mistaken. The rule on page 202 "Casting Time" is for Spells when they cost a Bonus Action. Since Fighter's Action Surge gives you another Action, you can cast double Fireballs or two spells that both costs an Action in one turn. So a Sorcerer's Quickened Spell is directly affected by that ruling because Quickened Spell turns a Spell's Casting Time to 1 bonus action. Twinned Spell does not count as Casting another spell, it simply gives the Spell an additional Target it can affect. But I understand if that is easy to mess up, thank you for the comment!

@ridwana4037 3 жыл бұрын

I see. I thought the restrictions was tied to the number of spell you can cast. Not the number of action you can do. Thanks.

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

@@ridwana4037 No problem! It's an easy mistake to make.

@buargrim8461 Жыл бұрын

Weapon bond is great if you take a thrown martial weapon

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

Yea it would be pretty cool synergy, although I feel that a Fighter already has pretty good ranged weapon options and an Eldritch knight can also use cantrips so idk if a thrown martial weapon would really be that much of an improvement

@OneColdRepublican Жыл бұрын

If you multi class with Wizard do you gain more spellslots/spells to use or does that not synergize as well as I think it would?

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

Yea you would gain more spells and spell slots, you would use the Multiclass Spellcaster progression table and count Eldritch Knight Levels as 1/3 spellcaster levels rounded down.

@Llwyd42 3 жыл бұрын

For the Algorithm! Great stuff

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Aw thanks man!

@VChong1991 2 жыл бұрын

Witchbolt for range, sword to the face for melee.

@porkbandit1107 Жыл бұрын

Can always use bladeward and then attack as a ba

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

Yea you could

@PalleRasmussen 3 жыл бұрын

Shout AELDRITCHE BLAAAASTE in a Texan dialect every time you cast it.

@absolstoryoffiction6615 2 жыл бұрын

Enemy: "I attack your Mercenary with my Fire Ball." EK: "Because of Warcaster + Mage Slayer + Sentinel... I cast Eldritch Blast on this enemy!" DM: "It's your turn, EK." EK: "I cast Eldritch Blast!!! War Master: Great Sword Attack!!! Action Surge + Teleport!!! Eldritch Blast!!!" Mercenary: "I will move away to heal and to provoke the enemy's Opportunity Attack." Enemy: "Finally!... I perform my Opportunity..." EK: "Reaction: ELDRITCH BLASTS!!!" Warlock: "And I thought I was the Eldritch Blast Spammer."

@thatguyoverthere468 2 жыл бұрын

Eldrich knights should have the Bladesinger extra attack ability instead of war magic

@Greyscales 2 жыл бұрын

I think that would synergize a lot better, but I guess it might be too strong at that point, since it essentially becomes free extra damage every turn. But thanks for the comment!

@timjackson9334 Жыл бұрын

Cantrips do scale with character level. Shocking Grasp does 1d8 at first, then at level 5 2d8 and so forth. The right cantrip can be more powerful than most weapons at later levels.

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

I meant that the Extra Attack feature does not scale with the cantrips in the sense that the Fighter's primary go to class feature will not synergize with what the Eldritch Knight gets as their subclass features

@timjackson9334 Жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales True, but with the Cantrips scaling that won't be a problem. With cantrips gaining more damage dice at later levels, you won't need extra attacks.

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

@@timjackson9334 I'm not sure what the exact math is on that, but I feel that having Extra Attacks will be on average better since you not only add the base weapon damage, but also your ability modifier with each hit and there's a good chance you will eventually get a magical weapon. But whether or not its a mechanical issue is besides the point, I was just trying to say that it would be nicer if there was better synergy between the features that the Eldritch Knight gets and the base class since the Eldritch Knight is thematically supposed to be a blend between a caster and fighter not exclusively one or the other.

@timjackson9334 Жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales I was never that luck when it comes to magic weapons. Even if there was one it always went to someone else, so I needed my own alternative. Hense Shocking Grasp cantrip. I recently was able to use Lightning Lure and Shocking Grasp as a combo. So people will say "You have two cantrips, you don't need a magic weapon". Or "There is always the Moon Touched Sword"

@timjackson9334 Жыл бұрын

But then for another 100 gold that Moon Touched Sword can become Moon Touched Sword of the War Mage.

@madhippy3 Жыл бұрын

My EK more often then not doesn’t have spellslots they have Shield Slots. One slot is for protection from evil and good, but the damage spells just don’t compete. You are casting spells like someone a third your level really and you are putting your ASIs into fighter stats so Int for attack bonus and save dc will be below a caster at even 1/3rd your level. War magic was fun for a few levels but at 11 I won’t use it unless I want the Booming Blade effect to lock someone down or I know I am getting the bonus BB damage. I am nust not interested in improved warmagic. By lvl 18 my cantrip damage is better than most of my spells anyways. I like my EK but itll be the last I play. I am glad to experience the AC of Plate+Shield+Shield+Other but one character will be good enough.

@Kamyuyon Жыл бұрын

With Warmagic, cant I go for a cantrip + attack action + extra attack?

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

No, unfortunately Extra Attack only works when you specifically take the Attack Action. War Magic allows you to make a weapon attack on a Bonus Action, meaning that you did not take the Attack Action. I know that may be confusing, but a weapon attack is not the same thing as taking the Attack Action.

@Leifuren 3 жыл бұрын

0:38 at lvl 3 you get two not three spell slots?

@Greyscales 3 жыл бұрын

Yea my bad i meant three spells known and two 1st level spell slots Sorry!

@leonryuko970 Жыл бұрын

So... When should I become an eldritch knight?

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

Whenever you feel like you are ready

@phoenixhorn-nc7tk Жыл бұрын

Im new to dnd, but not once so far have i heard the term 'gish'. What does that mean?

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

Oh it basically describes a character that is both decent at physical combat and magical stuff.

@phoenixhorn-nc7tk Жыл бұрын

@@Greyscales oh ok. Thanks

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

@@phoenixhorn-nc7tk No problem

@mr.ghostly9318 Жыл бұрын

My question is why would I play an ek when I can play a paladin

@Greyscales Жыл бұрын

If you are asking from a roleplaying perspective then an Eldritch Knight represents a character that has earned their powers through years of training in both the blade and the arcane arts, they are not bound to any ideal or oath and can use their skills as they please. From a more mechanical standpoint, the Paladin has better utility in terms of healing and supporting the rest of the team alongside a really powerful burst damage option in their Divine Smite. An Eldritch Knight on the other hand is less focused on burst damage and more on defensive self-buffs to make themselves tankier while also making use of the Fighter's Extra Attacks to deal consistent damage over multiple rounds.