Fighter Subclass Utility Advanced

Eldritch Knight Fighter Guide

Spellcaster warrior. Eldritch Knights blend the martial mastery common to all fighters with a careful study of magic. They see magic as a tool to win in battle, learning spells that aid them in combat.

Build the Best Eldritch Knight Fighter →

Free — no signup needed for the free tier.

Best Races for Eldritch Knight Fighter

All 10 races ranked by synergy with the Eldritch Knight. Click any to see the full build.

Eldritch Knight Features

Spellcasting

Level 3

You 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 3

You 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 7

When you use your action to cast a cantrip, you can make one weapon attack as a Bonus Action.

Eldritch Strike

Level 10

When 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 15

When 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 18

When you use your action to cast a spell, you can make one weapon attack as a Bonus Action.

Is Eldritch Knight Right for You?

Pick the Eldritch Knight if you want a Fighter focused on flexible skills and out-of-combat utility. Compare it with the other Fighter subclasses to make sure it fits your party, then build the Dragonborn version for the strongest start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best race for a Eldritch Knight Fighter?
Dragonborn rates highest (9/10) for the Eldritch Knight Fighter. Flight provides incredible mobility, letting the Fighter reach otherwise inaccessible positions. Dwarf (8/10) and Aasimar (7/10) are also strong picks.
What does the Eldritch Knight specialize in?
The Eldritch Knight fills the Utility role — flexible skills and out-of-combat utility. Its features unlock at levels 3, 7, 10, 15, 18.

Create a Eldritch Knight Fighter

Use Dice Will Decide's free character builder with optimized stats, spells, and equipment.

Create This Character →
Build This Character →