I chose the Eldritch Knight subclass for my Fighter character. The Weapon Bond skill is described as creating a magical bond between the EK and their weapon. Can this bonded weapon be used as an arcane focus? Warlocks can apparently use their pact weapons in this way, and the ritual they can use to turn a weapon into a pact weapon sounds a lot like the bonding ritual for the EK.
Right now it's not a concern as our DM isn't pushing material costs for spells - we're all pretty new to the game, so they're taking it easy on us - but it could be an issue later.
That Warlock ability comes from a class Feature that explicitly allows this. It's one of the Eldritch Invocations listed in the optional sourcebook Xanathar's Guide to Everything. The Eldritch Knight Fighter doesn't have any class Features that explicitly allows this. In fact, they cannot use spellcasting foci at all.
In point of fact, at present Fighters cannot use Arcane Foci. The ability to use a spellcasting focus requires a classes spellcasting feature or occasionally a subclass or other secondary feature to specifically describe what categories or items qualify as foci. EK's lack any such language in their subclass features, and so technically must use only component pouches to meet their M requirements unless they get something like a Ruby of the War Mage which expressly grants the capability to use it as a focus.
Now, as of the last we saw the UA gives EK's the ability to use arcane foci, but still doesn't automatically make a bonded weapon a focus.
To be sure I understand right, does a Component Pouch automatically contain the common items needed for a spell so long as they aren't valuable or consumed upon use? That seems to be what's suggested by a quick search, but that feels almost too convenient considering how the rules seem to go out of their way to make spellcasting a trial for EKs.
If it does work like that, great. If I get my hands on a component pouch then for all intents and purposes I would have a focus, but now I'm waiting for the catch 😂
There's no catch. It functions exactly like a focus. Some people like to RP filling it back up when they get to town or picking up resources along the way, but that's not required.
If it does work like that, great. If I get my hands on a component pouch then for all intents and purposes I would have a focus, but now I'm waiting for the catch 😂
The catch is that you need a hand free to grab the materials out of the pouch. So if you normally use a shield and a weapon then it can be a bit of a pain to have the hand free when you need it to be. If you use a two-handed weapon then you are good to go.
most spellcasting foci require a free hand to use as well although there are exceptions.
But yeah, just go ahead and wear a component pouch and you're good to go. This version of the game was designed to allow Players to be able to avoid having to buy, inventory and track usage of various mundane spell components unless they want to play it that way for fun.
If it does work like that, great. If I get my hands on a component pouch then for all intents and purposes I would have a focus, but now I'm waiting for the catch 😂
The catch is that you need a hand free to grab the materials out of the pouch. So if you normally use a shield and a weapon then it can be a bit of a pain to have the hand free when you need it to be. If you use a two-handed weapon then you are good to go.
I was going through this thread to recommend the same thing... Eldritch Knight works great for wielding two-handed weapons, since you can still hold the weapon in one hand while not attacking in order to cast spells. Using a shield always keeps both hands busy, so you have to limit yourself to spells with only Vocal components, and if you're not going to carry a shield you might as well go for the biggest weapon you can.
If it does work like that, great. If I get my hands on a component pouch then for all intents and purposes I would have a focus, but now I'm waiting for the catch 😂
The catch is that you need a hand free to grab the materials out of the pouch. So if you normally use a shield and a weapon then it can be a bit of a pain to have the hand free when you need it to be. If you use a two-handed weapon then you are good to go.
I was going through this thread to recommend the same thing... Eldritch Knight works great for wielding two-handed weapons, since you can still hold the weapon in one hand while not attacking in order to cast spells. Using a shield always keeps both hands busy, so you have to limit yourself to spells with only Vocal components, and if you're not going to carry a shield you might as well go for the biggest weapon you can.
I failed to plan ahead, so at the moment I'm dual-wielding, but I can stick with a single weapon for a little while, abd when I get to level 4 there's a rule someone told me about in Tasha's Cauldron that lets you learn a different fighting style whenever you reach a level that lets you choose Ability Score Increase. I'm not quite clear on whether you HAVE to choose ASI in order to take advantage of the rule and learn a new style, so I'll have to look into that.
Either way I'm going to switch to Great Weapon Fighting, so that'll allow me to free up a hand when I need it.
That's the "Martial Versatility" feature. It triggers when you reach a level that gives you access to an ASI, but you're not required to select an ASI instead of a Feat in order to use the feature.
That's the "Martial Versatility" feature. It triggers when you reach a level that gives you access to an ASI, but you're not required to select an ASI instead of a Feat in order to use the feature.
Excellent. I'm sure ASI wouldn't be a waste, but it's good to have more options.
You don't have to switch styles if you don't want. Just use your fee object interaction to sheath a weapon, cast your spell, and on your next turn, draw your weapon if you want to swipe at something. There's few cases where dual wielding will really get in the way so play how you like.
Also, you don't have to take the ASI to change the fighting style. You could choose a feat instead and still change your fighting style.
Yeah, unfortunately because two-weapon fighting occupies both hands it just isn't well suited for martial/spellcaster hybrids. Even if you had a Ruby of the War Mage to handle material components there are still spells with somatic components, like Cure Wounds that must be cast with a free hand. This can be addressed with the War Caster feat, which thankfully is a great feat to take anyways. Still, I find it ironic that one of the most iconic D&D characters represents a play style that runs headlong into this bramble of rule snags.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't point out what a sad state two-weapon fighting is in for 5th edition. Any Strength based martial with the Dual Wielder feat will just be objectively better if they swap Dual Wielder for Polearm Master and use a shield and spear instead (and swap your fighting style to the Dueling Style if you have a fighting style). You will do more damage, have a higher AC, and get more reaction attacks. Two-weapon fighting is good for Rogues and Rangers (if you ignore the hiccups it causes trying to cast spells) because they are limited to Finesse weapons, none of which qualify for Polearm Master. Barbarians from level 1-3 are also a good candidate for two-weapon fighting, unless you are playing a character that gets a feat at first level.
Thankfully we are under no obligation to play in away that optimizes damage and can instead play in a way that optimizes fun!
Personally I always allow all casters to use foci, because it's more flavor than anything else. Sure you can then use Magic Item Foci too, but usually Attunement slots prevent major balance issues.
But EK weapon bond as a focus has a bit of a balance issue. Because the hand for somatic components can be the same one that you use to handle your focus.
It would allow the EK use a shield or hold a torch etc while using their weapon for attacks, materials and somatic. It's a bit of a power up, but I don't think it would result in any major balance issues, unless you decide to build some Optimization Feat/Multiclass Plans around the fact. 🙂
But if your DM allows EKs to use foci in general, you could make it your personal objective to acquire a weapon with the focus property. Then bond to that.
I actually had that once as a player. We had special backgrounds. My bloodline had the ability to enchant and create a new "Frosthammer" for every tier. The Frosthammer always served as a focus too, and we didn't encounter any balance issues.
Biggest possible side effect is probably that you'll never be without spell materials, unless you are in some antimagic/antisummon prison or on another plane. You can just summon your weapon and there you go. But you're a pretty dangerous prisoner with just the weapon summon too, so maybe wouldn't matter much. 😁
I chose the Eldritch Knight subclass for my Fighter character. The Weapon Bond skill is described as creating a magical bond between the EK and their weapon. Can this bonded weapon be used as an arcane focus? Warlocks can apparently use their pact weapons in this way, and the ritual they can use to turn a weapon into a pact weapon sounds a lot like the bonding ritual for the EK.
Right now it's not a concern as our DM isn't pushing material costs for spells - we're all pretty new to the game, so they're taking it easy on us - but it could be an issue later.
That Warlock ability comes from a class Feature that explicitly allows this. It's one of the Eldritch Invocations listed in the optional sourcebook Xanathar's Guide to Everything. The Eldritch Knight Fighter doesn't have any class Features that explicitly allows this. In fact, they cannot use spellcasting foci at all.
In point of fact, at present Fighters cannot use Arcane Foci. The ability to use a spellcasting focus requires a classes spellcasting feature or occasionally a subclass or other secondary feature to specifically describe what categories or items qualify as foci. EK's lack any such language in their subclass features, and so technically must use only component pouches to meet their M requirements unless they get something like a Ruby of the War Mage which expressly grants the capability to use it as a focus.
Now, as of the last we saw the UA gives EK's the ability to use arcane foci, but still doesn't automatically make a bonded weapon a focus.
To be sure I understand right, does a Component Pouch automatically contain the common items needed for a spell so long as they aren't valuable or consumed upon use? That seems to be what's suggested by a quick search, but that feels almost too convenient considering how the rules seem to go out of their way to make spellcasting a trial for EKs.
If it does work like that, great. If I get my hands on a component pouch then for all intents and purposes I would have a focus, but now I'm waiting for the catch 😂
There's no catch. It functions exactly like a focus. Some people like to RP filling it back up when they get to town or picking up resources along the way, but that's not required.
The catch is that you need a hand free to grab the materials out of the pouch. So if you normally use a shield and a weapon then it can be a bit of a pain to have the hand free when you need it to be. If you use a two-handed weapon then you are good to go.
most spellcasting foci require a free hand to use as well although there are exceptions.
But yeah, just go ahead and wear a component pouch and you're good to go. This version of the game was designed to allow Players to be able to avoid having to buy, inventory and track usage of various mundane spell components unless they want to play it that way for fun.
I was going through this thread to recommend the same thing... Eldritch Knight works great for wielding two-handed weapons, since you can still hold the weapon in one hand while not attacking in order to cast spells. Using a shield always keeps both hands busy, so you have to limit yourself to spells with only Vocal components, and if you're not going to carry a shield you might as well go for the biggest weapon you can.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
I failed to plan ahead, so at the moment I'm dual-wielding, but I can stick with a single weapon for a little while, abd when I get to level 4 there's a rule someone told me about in Tasha's Cauldron that lets you learn a different fighting style whenever you reach a level that lets you choose Ability Score Increase. I'm not quite clear on whether you HAVE to choose ASI in order to take advantage of the rule and learn a new style, so I'll have to look into that.
Either way I'm going to switch to Great Weapon Fighting, so that'll allow me to free up a hand when I need it.
That's the "Martial Versatility" feature. It triggers when you reach a level that gives you access to an ASI, but you're not required to select an ASI instead of a Feat in order to use the feature.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Excellent. I'm sure ASI wouldn't be a waste, but it's good to have more options.
You don't have to switch styles if you don't want. Just use your fee object interaction to sheath a weapon, cast your spell, and on your next turn, draw your weapon if you want to swipe at something. There's few cases where dual wielding will really get in the way so play how you like.
Also, you don't have to take the ASI to change the fighting style. You could choose a feat instead and still change your fighting style.
Yeah, unfortunately because two-weapon fighting occupies both hands it just isn't well suited for martial/spellcaster hybrids. Even if you had a Ruby of the War Mage to handle material components there are still spells with somatic components, like Cure Wounds that must be cast with a free hand. This can be addressed with the War Caster feat, which thankfully is a great feat to take anyways. Still, I find it ironic that one of the most iconic D&D characters represents a play style that runs headlong into this bramble of rule snags.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't point out what a sad state two-weapon fighting is in for 5th edition. Any Strength based martial with the Dual Wielder feat will just be objectively better if they swap Dual Wielder for Polearm Master and use a shield and spear instead (and swap your fighting style to the Dueling Style if you have a fighting style). You will do more damage, have a higher AC, and get more reaction attacks. Two-weapon fighting is good for Rogues and Rangers (if you ignore the hiccups it causes trying to cast spells) because they are limited to Finesse weapons, none of which qualify for Polearm Master. Barbarians from level 1-3 are also a good candidate for two-weapon fighting, unless you are playing a character that gets a feat at first level.
Thankfully we are under no obligation to play in away that optimizes damage and can instead play in a way that optimizes fun!
Personally I always allow all casters to use foci, because it's more flavor than anything else. Sure you can then use Magic Item Foci too, but usually Attunement slots prevent major balance issues.
But EK weapon bond as a focus has a bit of a balance issue. Because the hand for somatic components can be the same one that you use to handle your focus.
It would allow the EK use a shield or hold a torch etc while using their weapon for attacks, materials and somatic. It's a bit of a power up, but I don't think it would result in any major balance issues, unless you decide to build some Optimization Feat/Multiclass Plans around the fact. 🙂
But if your DM allows EKs to use foci in general, you could make it your personal objective to acquire a weapon with the focus property. Then bond to that.
I actually had that once as a player. We had special backgrounds. My bloodline had the ability to enchant and create a new "Frosthammer" for every tier. The Frosthammer always served as a focus too, and we didn't encounter any balance issues.
Biggest possible side effect is probably that you'll never be without spell materials, unless you are in some antimagic/antisummon prison or on another plane. You can just summon your weapon and there you go. But you're a pretty dangerous prisoner with just the weapon summon too, so maybe wouldn't matter much. 😁
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