I have been playing my Eldritch Knight (EK) for 7 levels and see Artificer is now an official thing. Multiclassing can be difficult, so I'd like to hear some opinions from both EKs, Artificers, and Multiclassers alike as to any recommendations/suggestions for me to pursue.
My EK is a lightning-focused Thor-type (Not committed to that style). With a shield and War-mage-ruby'd throwing hammer that I teleport back to me with weapon-bond's BA feature. I have the following feats: Tavern brawler (for the story) & War caster (for utility). I rolled low for stats 16S/14D/18C/13I/9W/8C, so bascially I don't have alot of multi-class options unless a patron (DM) forces a contract upon me.
I'm looking for comments such as, when to dip, how deep to dip, which sub-dip to pursue, or perhaps other dips to consider. (Keep in mind the EK is 7 levels deep)
I mean, no more than 4 levels of artificer, cause then you get all the ASI's. I think that artillerist is the best idea, because of the turret for sustained damage in a fight. It also doesn't require a super high intelligence to roleplay or be good. Armourer (UA) is very good, and gives you lightning abilities.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
You’d probably want to stick with at least one level of EK for the level 8 asi. If you’re really into lightning, normally I’d say tempest cleric, but I see you don’t have the wisdom for it. Prrsonally, I’m a big fan of single classing. You keep getting cool stuff all the way up with fighter, and that third attack at level 11 is amazing.
2x levels of War Mage would be good. A consistent reaction shield or save bonus and INT bonus to initiative rolls. I would also recommend staying away from anything more than 1-2 levels for a dip. Boosting your stats with ASI would be a noticable performance increase.
The Armourer subclass is the perfect fit for your Thor design - it would allow you to deal thunder (melee) or lightning (ranged) damage with your attacks, along with a 'taunt' effect, along with a little self-healing or movement increase and ability to stealth without disadvantage. However, it's still UA so if you were waiting for the artificer to be officially released before playing it this might not be an option for you.
Otherwise, Battle Smith is the obvious choice, but I'm not sure it adds a whole lot for you. It includes some combat benefits which a fighter wouldn't need, a distraction / damage sponge pet and access to the Heroism spell. As for class spells, the artificer list is entirely utility - whether that's a good or a bad thing is up to you and your party's composition.
On the whole, I wouldn't go more than 2 levels into artificer to get the Returning Weapon infusion, which frees up your bonus action. I think artificer/fighter is more useful than fighter/artificer.
The Armourer subclass is the perfect fit for your Thor design [...]
Otherwise, Battle Smith is the obvious choice, [...]
On the whole, I wouldn't go more than 2 levels into artificer to get the Returning Weapon infusion [...]
Good prescription Doc, I do like the look of the Armourer subclass, gives my Thor-ish character an iron-man vibe. I wonder if the DM would allow a Return Weapon infusion on the shield to go full-Avenger haha. Battle smith would likely be the choice for official Artificer subclass, assuming I didn't stop at level 2.
You’d probably want to stick with at least one level of EK for the level 8 asi. [...]
Good point Xalthu, getting that ASI would be quite beneficial before being relatively held-back from 1st level dipping into Artificer. Though there could be a benefit from dipping first to see where my shortcomings truely are, and compensate with that 8th level afterwards with either a feat or ASI. Yes, that third attack would be amazing.
I mean, no more than 4 levels of artificer, cause then you get all the ASI's. I think that artillerist is the best idea, [&] Armourer (UA) is very good, [...].
That's reasonable Bramblefoot, making the most of that class and getting the ASI. I do question whether this campaign would even get very far beyond level 10-11. So I may only get 1 more ASI/Feat. Your turret comment is good, I'll have to read on those again to see what the damage output could be. The Armourer definetly catches my eye with the thunder/lightning.
Thanks for your comments this weeks folks. I'll keep an eye out for more.
What did you end up doing? I'm in a similar situation, but building it from the other side.. Armorer, multiclass; starting level 5 - support role. tossing and turning between: Armor 3+/WarMage2.. two weapon fighting taunting tanky boi with base 20AC with reactionary 22 or 25 AC when needed. (dual wielder FEAT @ 4) Armor 4/Fighter (into EK)1+... defense fighting style, action surge @ 2, Shield spell @ 3, ASIs, extra attack @ 5, War magic @ 7 -- seems like a lot of gravy :)
I'd stick with fighter until level 13, after the 2nd Extra Attack, an ASI and EK's access to lightning bolt. Maybe 14-16 for even more ASIs; those are hard to pass up!
If you're not using heavy armor, sea Storm Herald barbarian is also thematic, granting Reckless Attack and bonus action lightning when you need the damage resists or run out of spell slots. Just be mindful of the no spellcasting rule for Rage and you should be fine!
I have been playing my Eldritch Knight (EK) for 7 levels and see Artificer is now an official thing. Multiclassing can be difficult, so I'd like to hear some opinions from both EKs, Artificers, and Multiclassers alike as to any recommendations/suggestions for me to pursue.
My EK is a lightning-focused Thor-type (Not committed to that style). With a shield and War-mage-ruby'd throwing hammer that I teleport back to me with weapon-bond's BA feature. I have the following feats: Tavern brawler (for the story) & War caster (for utility). I rolled low for stats 16S/14D/18C/13I/9W/8C, so bascially I don't have alot of multi-class options unless a patron (DM) forces a contract upon me.
I'm looking for comments such as, when to dip, how deep to dip, which sub-dip to pursue, or perhaps other dips to consider. (Keep in mind the EK is 7 levels deep)
You didn't roll low for stats, they're objectively higher than what you can accomplish with the standard array or point buy, but they are in awkward places. Leaving your Intelligence at only 13 hurts your saving throws, and if you're in heavy armor you don't need that much Dexterity.
So, the big point behind multiclassing is...what are you hoping to get out of multiclassing? What does Artificer have that you want?
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Hello Folks, tis my first thread, so be gentle.
I have been playing my Eldritch Knight (EK) for 7 levels and see Artificer is now an official thing. Multiclassing can be difficult, so I'd like to hear some opinions from both EKs, Artificers, and Multiclassers alike as to any recommendations/suggestions for me to pursue.
My EK is a lightning-focused Thor-type (Not committed to that style). With a shield and War-mage-ruby'd throwing hammer that I teleport back to me with weapon-bond's BA feature. I have the following feats: Tavern brawler (for the story) & War caster (for utility). I rolled low for stats 16S/14D/18C/13I/9W/8C, so bascially I don't have alot of multi-class options unless a patron (DM) forces a contract upon me.
I'm looking for comments such as, when to dip, how deep to dip, which sub-dip to pursue, or perhaps other dips to consider. (Keep in mind the EK is 7 levels deep)
I mean, no more than 4 levels of artificer, cause then you get all the ASI's. I think that artillerist is the best idea, because of the turret for sustained damage in a fight. It also doesn't require a super high intelligence to roleplay or be good. Armourer (UA) is very good, and gives you lightning abilities.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
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You’d probably want to stick with at least one level of EK for the level 8 asi.
If you’re really into lightning, normally I’d say tempest cleric, but I see you don’t have the wisdom for it.
Prrsonally, I’m a big fan of single classing. You keep getting cool stuff all the way up with fighter, and that third attack at level 11 is amazing.
2x levels of War Mage would be good. A consistent reaction shield or save bonus and INT bonus to initiative rolls. I would also recommend staying away from anything more than 1-2 levels for a dip. Boosting your stats with ASI would be a noticable performance increase.
The Armourer subclass is the perfect fit for your Thor design - it would allow you to deal thunder (melee) or lightning (ranged) damage with your attacks, along with a 'taunt' effect, along with a little self-healing or movement increase and ability to stealth without disadvantage. However, it's still UA so if you were waiting for the artificer to be officially released before playing it this might not be an option for you.
Otherwise, Battle Smith is the obvious choice, but I'm not sure it adds a whole lot for you. It includes some combat benefits which a fighter wouldn't need, a distraction / damage sponge pet and access to the Heroism spell. As for class spells, the artificer list is entirely utility - whether that's a good or a bad thing is up to you and your party's composition.
On the whole, I wouldn't go more than 2 levels into artificer to get the Returning Weapon infusion, which frees up your bonus action. I think artificer/fighter is more useful than fighter/artificer.
Good prescription Doc, I do like the look of the Armourer subclass, gives my Thor-ish character an iron-man vibe. I wonder if the DM would allow a Return Weapon infusion on the shield to go full-Avenger haha. Battle smith would likely be the choice for official Artificer subclass, assuming I didn't stop at level 2.
I hadn't considered War Mage, I mostly look at the PHB, so I'll research that one further. Thanks
Good point Xalthu, getting that ASI would be quite beneficial before being relatively held-back from 1st level dipping into Artificer. Though there could be a benefit from dipping first to see where my shortcomings truely are, and compensate with that 8th level afterwards with either a feat or ASI. Yes, that third attack would be amazing.
That's reasonable Bramblefoot, making the most of that class and getting the ASI. I do question whether this campaign would even get very far beyond level 10-11. So I may only get 1 more ASI/Feat. Your turret comment is good, I'll have to read on those again to see what the damage output could be. The Armourer definetly catches my eye with the thunder/lightning.
Thanks for your comments this weeks folks. I'll keep an eye out for more.
What did you end up doing? I'm in a similar situation, but building it from the other side.. Armorer, multiclass; starting level 5 - support role. tossing and turning between:
Armor 3+/WarMage2.. two weapon fighting taunting tanky boi with base 20AC with reactionary 22 or 25 AC when needed. (dual wielder FEAT @ 4)
Armor 4/Fighter (into EK)1+... defense fighting style, action surge @ 2, Shield spell @ 3, ASIs, extra attack @ 5, War magic @ 7 -- seems like a lot of gravy :)
4 levels of abjuration wizard brings a lot of spell slots and HP that you can recharge during a fight by upcasting shield.
I'd stick with fighter until level 13, after the 2nd Extra Attack, an ASI and EK's access to lightning bolt. Maybe 14-16 for even more ASIs; those are hard to pass up!
If you're not using heavy armor, sea Storm Herald barbarian is also thematic, granting Reckless Attack and bonus action lightning when you need the damage resists or run out of spell slots. Just be mindful of the no spellcasting rule for Rage and you should be fine!
You didn't roll low for stats, they're objectively higher than what you can accomplish with the standard array or point buy, but they are in awkward places. Leaving your Intelligence at only 13 hurts your saving throws, and if you're in heavy armor you don't need that much Dexterity.
So, the big point behind multiclassing is...what are you hoping to get out of multiclassing? What does Artificer have that you want?