Since these two features are incompatible, I imagine that at low/mid/high level only one of these will be used as a go-to general attack (ie not worrying about resistance or vulnerable). But it seems to me that War Magic is only really worth it from levels 7-10 and 17-19.
I guess I could see Shocking Grasp being used situationally, and maybe Acid Splash when you're surrounded by minions, but overall for damage (and overall utility) it's a bit disappointing. I mean, why True Strike when you can just attack? Am I missing something?
The numbers below are averaged damage rolls.
Poison Spray + attack (greatsword)
7th: ~13 + ~11 = ~24 (inc. +4 ability mod)
11th: 19.5 + 12 = 31.5 (inc. +5 ability mod)
17th: 26 + 12 = 38
20th:
Extra Attack (greatsword)
7th: ~11*2 = ~22 (inc. +4 ability mod)
11th: 12*3 = 36 (inc. +5 ability mod)
17th:
20th: 12*4 = 48
Poison Spray + attack (longsword)
7th: ~13 + ~8.5 = ~21.5 (inc. +4 ability mod)
11th: 19.5 + 9.5 = 29 (inc. +5 ability mod)
17th: 26 + 9.5 = 35.5
20th:
Extra Attack (longsword)
7th: ~8.5*2 = ~17 (inc. +4 ability mod)
11th: 9.5*3 = 28.5 (inc. +5 ability mod)
17th:
20th: 9.5*4 = 38
I'm talking about the cantrip+bonus attack version only, not Improved War Magic which isn't as directly comparable to Extra Attack
Its for this reason (and more spell access) I prefer Fighter/Sorc (or Wizard) over pure Eldritch Knight.
We are talking about Eldritch Knight right? (Not near my books..)
The EK abilities are very underwhelming vs pure out attacks, so Id rather go champ for double fighting style, and Sorc for better AC and resistance.
Frankly, I'm just houseruling the Eldritch Knight in my game. Otherwise half his features are shoddy, and there's virtually no reason to pick EK over Battlemaster. I mean, if you aren't actually casting in combat, you don't even get the flavor of it.
Ek is about using shield for defense 
It's so the PC can cast a non-damage cantrip and get a bonus attack after doing so. Bladeward or minor illusion being the most likely. Personally, I think attacking instead is generally the best option.
Ashrym wrote:
War Cleric/EK can do guidance + shove/grapple.
Let's not forget this gives you the OPTION to do either! So yeah, maybe you REALLY need to land that Shocking Grasp on the armor-wearing bad guy, and can follow up with an attack. Maybe you like to show off by killing two goblins without having to lift your sword. Maybe you REALLY need to tank for a few rounds, so you have to cast Blade Ward, but in order to prevent your DPR from going to 0 you can attack once. Maybe you don't have access to your ranged weapon, or don't even bother HAVING a ranged weapon, so you cast a cantrip then run up and smash someone in the face. Maybe you want to set the building on fire and THEN shoot the bad guy with your bow.
For many other situations, you can just attack with Extra Attacks (especially once you hit 11th level and can attack 3 times) like a normal fighter.
In other words, you might use Extra Attacks every round in one battle, or War Magic+Attack every round in another. It's this versatility and utility that make it unique and (situationally) useful. If you're just looking at strict DPR, maybe you're looking at it wrong 
Timborama wrote:
zagora_01 wrote:
EK is good for 1 think.
EK crossbow warrior with the magic weapon spell. Basically, you can ensure you get a magic weapon. If you have a generous DM, this benefit isn't all that useful though.
Lawolf wrote:
maybe also:
light+attack
attack+prestidigitation (snuff out fire version)
It is usually not the best option, but it may be an option once in a while
maybe also firebolt against something vulnerable to fire + thrown weapon attack. It is not that easy to throw more than one weapon.
Timborama wrote:
EK isn't outdone by basic fighter because it IS basic fighter...? Unless you mean having that option by itself is strictly worse from a DPR sense. In which case I sorta already addressed that in my post, which I suppose is cemented by:
Clutchbone wrote:
Clutchbone wrote:
mellored wrote:
Can't a 14th level valor bard (battle magic) do this same bladeward +1 attack trick? Then you can pick up a larger variety of spells (via bard list and magical secrets) as compared to EK. Of course, waiting until 14th...
True Strike + Sharpshooter isn't bad for a Fighter/Rogue: get advantage from True Strike, then power shot.
I think this issue occurs whenever you have two primary methods of attacking (try playing a game of Mutants and Masterminds and create a secondary attack that is subpar to your nova attack–it'll never get used).
For this reason, I think the spell schools an EK can choose should be Abjuration plus one more of the player's choice (chosen when the class is selected). That gives you your defense, and lets you tweak your spells as you like, which should go towards utility or controls, not more attacks.
Timborama wrote:
I think it depends on the situation.
If I'm surrounded by multiple melee enemies, I'm popping Blade Ward each round and still getting to hit one. But then I'm taking half of 2-4 incoming strikes (very effective!).
If I'm soloing, I'm combining War Magic with Eldritch Strike. I open with a full attack, trying to hit with my weapon. If I do, on my next turn I pop a Poison Spray (and they now have disadvantage on their Con save) and then hit with my sword (to keep them at a disadvantage against my Poison Spray). Every round I'm hitting without having to target their AC, and they're at a disadvantage to the save, and then trying for their AC to see if I can continue to keep them weak. If the target is weaker, I'm just hitting a bunch of times with my sword to whittle them down. But with a big AC, I'm doing the above.
If I'm protecting a soft target (like a dedicated Wizard or the group's Bard) I'm using Shocking Grasp (to let the soft target run away without provoking an OA) and then still hitting them.
When I get Improved War Magic, I'm doing the same thing except when I cast my higher level spells I'm getting more bang for my buck.
One-on-one, which is how I think most theory crafting is done, War Magic is sub-par. But how often are circumstances so cut and dry?
Ashrym wrote:
slumgum wrote:
Personally I view the EK as "Fighter with some useful magical tricks" rather than a expecting it able to use all their extra attacks and also fire off a spell.
Alot of people are kinda disappointed that they can't, but I can't see a way you could make it not just favour the EK.
I think they get a pretty good deal myself, but I'd be willing to take a slight hit in combat efficiency for the utility.
FrogReaver wrote:
Going off topic.
cowleymen wrote:
Illithidbix wrote: