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Nerdarchy on D&D Fighting Styles Ranked for an Eldritch Knight

In this 19-minute video on Nerdarchy the YouTube channel Nerdarchists Dave and Ted rank fighting styles for the Eldritch Knight fighter Martial Archetype for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons.

The conversation begins with Dave and Ted taking a look at the character archetype in general, which in this case means the classic gish. Competent melee warriors who also wield magic have been a subject of character builders for decades and now we’ve got 5E D&D’s Eldritch Knight requiring no multiclassing or anything. [NERDITOR’S NOTE: For what it’s worth I feel like The Hexblade is the best all around gish.]

In 5E D&D one of the first obstacles to overcome for a gish character is spell components whether they rely on the traditional reagents or an arcane focus. There’s a few magic items designed specifically to address this issue and the video covers these. There’s also the very cool animated shield, which while not providing a direct workaround does free up a character’s hands.

Diving into the discussion Dave and Ted take a broad look at all the fighting style options available in 5E D&D and then going over each of them from worst to best when it comes to synergy for an Eldritch Knight. How would you rank these fighting styles? Is it better to shore up weaknesses and pain points or focus on strengths? Do you prefer passive features providing static benefits at all times or more active options?

If you’re interested in a new Martial Archetype to play we’ve got one of our own for you to try too. A Mane Knight is a disciplined warrior who trains their body, mind and spirit to exemplify ferocity. They trust the enigmatic energy flowing through them along with their own majestic skill to overcome any adversary. Nerdarchist Ted recently played a Mane Knight in a high level one shot and had an absolute blast.

What are your top picks for fighting styles for Eldritch Knight fighters in 5E D&D? Let us know in the comments and as always, stay nerdy!

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