Gnome Eldritch Knight Fighter Build Guide
Combining gnomish resilience with arcane weaponry, the Gnome Eldritch Knight stands as an incredibly durable, spell-slinging defender who refuses to be shut down.
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Why Eldritch Knight?
Combining the natural magic and mental defense of a Gnome with the martial prowess of a Fighter creates a highly resilient utility warrior. With the Gnomish Cunning species trait, you gain advantage on mental saving throws against magic, patching a traditional Fighter weakness. This makes you exceptionally difficult for enemy spellcasters to control or disable while you hold the front line.
When you unlock Spellcasting at level 3, you gain access to Wizard spells. Since your optimal Intelligence stat sits at 8, you should focus your spell selection on utility and defensive magic rather than offensive blasts. Spells like Shield, Absorb Elements, and Find Familiar do not require spell attack rolls or saving throws, allowing you to maximize your utility role without needing high Intelligence.
As you level up, features like War Magic let you cast a cantrip and still make a weapon attack in the same turn. Meanwhile, you can use your Darkvision to scout dark dungeons safely, then summon your bonded weapon instantly to your hand using War Bond to catch your foes completely off guard.
Eldritch Knight Features
Spellcasting
Level 3You have learned to cast spells. See the General Rules of Spellcasting for the rules on casting spells. Cantrips (Rank 0 Spells): You know two cantrips of your choice from the Wizard spell list. You learn additional wizard cantrips of your choice at higher levels. Spell Slots: The Eldritch Knight Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have of 1st rank and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's rank or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a Long Rest. Spells Known of 1st Rank and Higher: You know three 1st-rank wizard spells of your choice, two of which you must choose from the Abjuration and Evocation schools of magic. The Spells Known column of the Eldritch Knight Spellcasting table shows when you learn more wizard spells of 1st rank or higher. Spellcasting Ability: Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your wizard spells.
War Bond
Level 3You can bond with a weapon that isn't magical and that lacks the Heavy property. If it meets these criteria, over the course of 1 hour during a Short Rest, you can bond the weapon to yourself by performing a ritual. You can perform this ritual as part of taking a Short Rest. Thereafter, you can't be disarmed of that weapon unless you are Incapacitated. If another creature uses the weapon, it can't gain the benefit of your War Bond. If you bond with a different weapon, your bond with the previous weapon ends.
War Magic
Level 7When you use your action to cast a cantrip, you can make one weapon attack as a Bonus Action.
Eldritch Strike
Level 10When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, that creature has Disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes against a spell you cast before the end of your next turn.
Arcane Charge
Level 15When you use your action to cast a spell, you can move up to your Speed as a Bonus Action. When you do so, you can move through other creatures' spaces but can't end your movement in another creature's space.
Improved War Magic
Level 18When you use your action to cast a spell, you can make one weapon attack as a Bonus Action.
Recommended Ability Scores
Gnome Traits That Benefit Eldritch Knight Fighter
Gnomish Cunning
Extra saving throw advantages protect against debilitating spells and effects.
Darkvision
Gnome Darkvision helps Fighters scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Ranged DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 39 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 81 | 10.73 | 10.73 |
| Level 17 | 123 | 10.73 | 10.73 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ Eldritch Knight grants Spellcasting at level 3
- ♦ High hit points for frontline durability
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Strong melee damage output
- ♦ Good armor class and initiative
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Wisdom — vulnerable to common saving throws
- ♦ Limited ranged and magical options without multiclassing
- ♦ Small size limits heavy weapon usage
Pro Tips
Select utility spells like Shield or Misty Step that do not require saving throws, bypassing your lower Intelligence modifier.
Use War Bond to throw a weapon at a distant enemy, then recall it instantly to your hand as a bonus action.
Activate War Magic to cast a defensive cantrip like Blade Ward, then strike an enemy in the same turn.
Lean on Gnomish Cunning to confidently charge enemy mages, knowing you have magical protection against their mental control spells.
Other Fighter Subclasses for Gnome
Other Races for Eldritch Knight Fighter
Frequently Asked Questions
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What makes Eldritch Knight different from other Fighter subclasses?
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