Bladesingers and Eldritch Knights should have Smite and Strike spells

Using Green-Flame Blade, Booming Blade, and Lightning Lure gives these two subclasses much of the feel they need. Both invoke a feeling of characters who use their weapons while slinging spells. So does the Hexblade, the Battle Smith, some Paladins, and some Rangers.

Unlike when the Hexblade and Battle Smith were added to the game, the Bladesinger and Eldritch Knight didn’t get access to spells like Thunderous Smite or Zephyr Strike or Ensnaring Strike. The Smites all fit the two narratives. The Strikes are just the two previously listed and Steel Wind Strike.

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A Dungeon Master that adds these ten spells for their players helps that player play a character who fits the mold as a weapon-caster. Giving a PC a few moments a day, because they take spell slots, when that character emphasizes the vibe of the fiction that inspires their character is great. They aren’t stepping on the toes of the Paladin (who has the Smite feature still) or the Ranger (because Favored Foe and Hunter’s Mark are their combat signatures).

Ten spells and your players will be more like the character they want to be, without the need to be a Hexblade sworn to a odd mystical sword, a Paladin sworn to a cause, or a Ranger protecting civilization from the Wildes.


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Comments

4 responses to “Bladesingers and Eldritch Knights should have Smite and Strike spells”

  1. Frederick Coen Avatar
    Frederick Coen

    The Smites were in the game when the Edlritch Knight was added. Not giving them over was a design decision – for good or ill, I’m not able to determine – so what would be the *consequences* of these non-Paladins having “Paladin-only” spells? Or Hexblade only spells?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Dave Clark Avatar

      Considering that the Hexblade and Battle Smith (most) both get them, for clear and obvious flavor reasons, there is little indication that it would harm a table experience.
      An EK casting two Smites a day rather than two Shields isn’t a big deal.

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  2. robertscribbler Avatar

    Eldritch Knight has action surge. The Bladesinger is a full class wizard and can cast awesome buffs like Spirit Shroud, Haste, and Shadow Blade. I’ve found that both can rock with different build strategies. Would love to hear your thoughts on my Hexblade, Fighter-Mage, and Dexadin build guides.

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    1. Dave Clark Avatar

      For sure, they both can be fun. My most played PC is a Bladesinger. I just don’t see a reason why they aren’t able to cast those specific spells. The spells match the lore that inspired both classes. For story reasons they should have access to those spells.

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