In fact Eldritch Knights can't use a spellcasting focus at all as standard, though they can use a component pouch if you don't want to keep track of all your uncosted components.
I believe they can make use of a ruby of the war mage if your DM gives you one, or you can pick up the War Caster feat to make it easier to cast while wielding a sword and shield (as Fighters do get extra ability score increases, therefore more chances to take feats when levelling up). War Caster doesn't let you treat your weapon as a focus, but it does remove the need to have a free hand for somatic components.
That said, you also arguably don't need to for a few reasons:
If instead of sword and shield you could use a two-handed weapon like a greatsword, that way you always have a hand free for somatic components, reaching into your component pouch etc.
You can just pick spells that don't require a focus or somatic components (or which only require them for out of combat utility). There are also some spells whose somatic component involves a weapon, so shouldn't require a free hand, e.g- green-flame blade (where the weapon is both the material and somatic component for the spell).
Using Weapon Bond you can always summon your bonded weapon back into your hand as a bonus action, so if you really need a free hand for casting you can simply drop or stow your bonded weapon, cast the spell, then summon it back into your hand again.
It's a bit clunky, but in general an Eldritch Knight is still a fighter first and foremost, so you don't necessarily want to be casting a lot of spells in combat anyway, mostly you want spells you can activate with a duration, reaction spells like shield, or things that are good for out of combat utility IMO.
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Can't find anything saying yes, but it can also mean it is, bu I want to be sure
Is the Weapon Bond of the eldritch knight a arcane focus?
Short answer is no.
In fact Eldritch Knights can't use a spellcasting focus at all as standard, though they can use a component pouch if you don't want to keep track of all your uncosted components.
I believe they can make use of a ruby of the war mage if your DM gives you one, or you can pick up the War Caster feat to make it easier to cast while wielding a sword and shield (as Fighters do get extra ability score increases, therefore more chances to take feats when levelling up). War Caster doesn't let you treat your weapon as a focus, but it does remove the need to have a free hand for somatic components.
That said, you also arguably don't need to for a few reasons:
It's a bit clunky, but in general an Eldritch Knight is still a fighter first and foremost, so you don't necessarily want to be casting a lot of spells in combat anyway, mostly you want spells you can activate with a duration, reaction spells like shield, or things that are good for out of combat utility IMO.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.