Fearsome warriors and spellcasters, eldritch knights are rare among magic-users in their ability to wade into battle alongside fighters, barbarians, and other martial classes. Those who must face eldritch knights in combat fear them greatly, for their versatility on the battlefield is tremendous; against heavily armed and armored opponents they may level crippling spells, while opposing spellcasters meet their ends on an eldritch knight’s blade.
Because the road to becoming an eldritch knight requires both martial prowess and arcane power, eldritch knights almost always begin their paths as multiclassed characters, such as fighter/wizards or ranger/sorcerers. They may be found wherever studies of the arcane are as prevalent as martial training.
Role
Eldritch knights blend the abilities of fighting classes and spellcasters, hurling magic at the enemy one moment and hewing down their opponents with steel the next. They are just as comfortable fighting in the thick of combat as they are casting spells at foes while remaining safely behind their compatriots. Their versatility makes them valuable allies when the nature of an upcoming battle is unclear.
Entry Requirements
Proficiency: Proficient with three or more weapon groups, not counting Basic Weapons (or proficient with all martial weapons).
Spellcasting: Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.
| Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Arcane Spellcasting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +1 | +0 | +0 | Bonus Feat | — |
| 2nd | +2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | — | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | +3 | +2 | +1 | +1 | Arcane armor +1 | +1 level of existing class |
| 4th | +4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | +5 | +3 | +1 | +1 | — | +1 level of existing class |
| 6th | +6 | +3 | +2 | +2 | Arcane armor +2 | — |
| 7th | +7 | +4 | +2 | +2 | — | +1 level of existing class |
| 8th | +8 | +4 | +2 | +2 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of existing class |
| 9th | +9 | +5 | +3 | +3 | Arcane armor +3 | +1 level of existing class |
| 10th | +10 | +5 | +3 | +3 | Spell critical | +1 level of existing class |
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Academics, Arcane Lore, Arms Lore, Linguistics, Handle Animal, Insight, and Athletics
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
An Eldritch Knight gains no proficiency with any type of weapon, armor, or shield.
Arcane Spellcasting
At every eldritch knight level except 1st and 6th, you progress the arcane spellcasting of one of your existing classes. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming an eldritch knight, you must decide to which class you add the new level for progression.
Bonus Feat
At 1st level, you gain a bonus combat-oriented feat. You gain an additional bonus feat at 4th and 8th level. These bonus feats must be drawn from the feats noted as Combat feats or Style feats. You must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums.
Arcane Armor
Beginning at 3rd level, whenever you cast an arcane spell that grants you an armor or shield to AC, you can increase that value by +1. This bonus increases by an additional +1 at 6th level and again at 9th level.
Spell Critical
At 10th level, whenever you successfully confirm a critical hit, you can cast a spell as a swift action. The spell must include the target of the attack as one of its targets or in its area of effect. Casting this spell does not provoke an attack of opportunity. You must still meet all of the spell’s components and must roll for arcane spell failure if necessary, and the spell cannot have a normal casting time of longer than 1 standard action.