Sword Saint

[Pookie The Krogan]

So, probaly should not have strated with this but im having trouble with my sword saint. he is great when he doesnt die right away but they always seem to go right for him. I usally place him in the middle/back of my party. My main goal is a eldrich knight, is there a differnt way to go about getting that?

[wendigo211]

We need a bit more info, what are your stats? Sword Saints are fairly tanky (Dex and Int modifiers to AC and Arcane defensive buffs), so you generally want them getting as much attention as possible.

[Pookie The Krogan]

Originally posted by wendigo211:

We need a bit more info, what are your stats? Sword Saints are fairly tanky (Dex and Int modifiers to AC and Arcane defensive buffs), so you generally want them getting as much attention as possible.

i think that might be my problem is im not going tanky. im going more damage.

[wendigo211]

With a Sword Saint you tend to want to have them go high dex and use a weapon with the agile property (+dex to damage). With the weapon selection in the game, I would go with the Dueling Sword, you'll be swimming in them and quite a few of them have the agile property.

You could also pick up the Slashing/Finesse Grace feat. This feat will let you add your dex bonus o damage as long as your off-hand is empty, but you can't get the 1.5x damage bonus for using weapon with both hands, like you can with an agile weapon.

As I mentioned the Sword Saint is really the dex variant of the Magus, the Eldritch Scion works the best if you want a strength magus (something like Scaled Fist 1/Dragon Disciple 4/ES x).

For multiclassing, you could go for the Duelist prestige class. Its Canny Defense ability stacks with the Sword Saint's Canny Defense, so you get to add twice your int modifier to your AC, but that character gives up a lot of spellcasting for AC. I'm not a huge fan of EK on a Magus, it works great on Wizard or Sorcerer, but it's not as good on a medium BAB class as it is on a low BAB class.

[Pookie The Krogan]

Originally posted by wendigo211:

With a Sword Saint you tend to want to have them go high dex and use a weapon with the agile property (+dex to damage). With the weapon selection in the game, I would go with the Dueling Sword, you'll be swimming in them and quite a few of them have the agile property.

You could also pick up the Slashing/Finesse Grace feat. This feat will let you add your dex bonus o damage as long as your off-hand is empty, but you can't get the 1.5x damage bonus for using weapon with both hands, like you can with an agile weapon.

As I mentioned the Sword Saint is really the dex variant of the Magus, the Eldritch Scion works the best if you want a strength magus (something like Scaled Fist 1/Dragon Disciple 4/ES x).

For multiclassing, you could go for the Duelist prestige class. Its Canny Defense ability stacks with the Sword Saint's Canny Defense, so you get to add twice your int modifier to your AC, but that character gives up a lot of spellcasting for AC. I'm not a huge fan of EK on a Magus, it works great on Wizard or Sorcerer, but it's not as good on a medium BAB class as it is on a low BAB class.

whast the best way to get a eldrich knight? figured a magnus class would be

[wendigo211]

My favorite EKs are the Vivisectionist 1/Wizard 3/Arcane Trickster x/EK y (Dex based) and the Scaled Fist 1/Sorc 5/Dragon Disciple 4/EK 10 (Strength based). If either of them appeal to you, let me know and I'll type out the details.

[WeirdAl]

Hi wendigo211,

i am really interested in your strength based EK build and would love to see the details. I currently play a dual wield Vivisectionist, but want some change as I have NOK NOK in the Party as well. Thanks beforehand.

[wendigo211]

Originally posted by WeirdAl:

Hi wendigo211,

i am really interested in your strength based EK build and would love to see the details. I currently play a dual wield Vivisectionist, but want some change as I have NOK NOK in the Party as well. Thanks beforehand.

Sure,

I played this build on my first unfair run, so it should work well on any difficulty. I haven't picked up the Wildcards DLC, so I can't comment on whether a Tiefling would be a better choice for a race. You also probably won't hit level 20 with a full party, but I'm giving you the full level 20 character.

Race: Aasimar (+STR & CHA one, I think it's Angel Blooded)
Alignment: Lawful Good (you could pick any alignment, but LG gets you the Protector's Robe [+5 AC] and should let a Cleric companion buff you with Bestow Grace of the Champion [+CHA bonus to saves])
Attributes:
STR 17 (all attribute bonuses go here)
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 7
CHA 18
Skills: Lore (Arcane) 5 (for DD), Max Persuasion, Put your other skillpoints in something that will help with camping
Feats and Leveling

1. Scaled Fist 1: Dodge, Crane Style
   
2. Sorcerer 1: Gold Dragon Bloodline, Metamagic (Extend)
   
3. Sorcerer 2: Power Attack
   
4. Sorcerer 3
   
5. Sorcerer 4: Martial Weapon Proficiency
   
6. Dragon Disciple 1
   
7. Dragon Disciple 2: Cornugon Smash, Blind-Fight
   
8. Dragon Disciple 3
   
9. Dragon Disciple 4: Intimidating Prowess
   
10. Eldritch Knight 1: Weapon Focus (Quarterstaff)
    
11. Eldritch Knight 2: Dazzling Display
    
12. Eldritch Knight 3
    
13. Eldritch Knight 4: Shatter Defenses
    
14. Eldritch Knight 5: Dreadful Carnage
    
15. Eldritch Knight 6: Skill Focus (Persuasion)
    
16. Eldritch Knight 7
    
17. Eldritch Knight 8: Wings
    
18. Eldritch Knight 9: Greater Weapon Focus (Quarterstaff)
    
19. Eldritch Knight 10: Outflank
    
20. Sorc 5

When I played it, I went with a glaive for my weapon (Incorruptable Petal), but I think a Quarterstaff will be better because of Flurry of Blows. Ruin (+5 Quarterstaff, +2d6 force damage per hit) is also a pretty good weapon.

[WeirdAl]

Thanks for the detailed answer, sounds fun! I will try it out. This build does not use armor, right?

[wendigo211]

Originally posted by WeirdAl:

Thanks for the detailed answer, sounds fun! I will try it out. This build does not use armor, right?

No armor other than monk/wizard robes and bracers. The AC boost from Magic Vestments stacks with bracers, so don't forget to have the party Cleric buff you with that.

[WeirdAl]

Thanks for clarifying 👍