PF: Magus or Eldritch Knight? Who's the better Gish?

[Libertad]

The Magus appears to have 3/4th BAB, 6th-level spellcasting, two good saves, and some class features which synergize with melee weapon use.

However, the Eldritch Knight has better BAB, can go up to higher-level spells, a higher Hit Die, but only one good save and less class features and bonus feats.

If I wanted to be an arcane gish skilled in melee and magic, should I go Magus or Wizard/1-level Fighter dip/Eldritch Knight?

[veekie]

The EK works better unless you have some specific trick in mind with Magus. The Magus' option to cast in melee is more often a liability than a strength if you rely on it too much, but if you don't it just doesn't dole out enough pain.

[StreamOfTheSky]

EK is a better caster.  Magus is a better warrior and has more synergistic abilities.

EK will have higher level and broader spells; Magus will not lose any CL and make better use out of the action economy.

IMO, Magus is the stronger option if you plan to melee at all.  If you use the EK simply as a gimped god wizard, he'll obviously be better simply because god wizard >>>>>> big stupid fighter in the hierarchy of party roles.

EDIT: EK doesn't really have better BAB.  You go in to EK losing 2 BAB or so, and when it's over you finish up as wizard unless you're a moron, so you end up with Wiz 9 / Ftr 1 / EK 10, for a BAB of +15.... the same as a Magus 20.  You have a slight edge from mid EK till the end, then you lose it again.

[juton]

It also depends heavily on what levels you are playing at. The Eldritch Knight has a better spell list but doesn't start getting higher level spells until around 9th level. Even then the Magus is competitive for a few levels longer. A Magus can cherry pick Wizard spells and Witch's hexes so at mid levels the gap in power isn't as wide as it could be.

The thing that bugs me about the Eldritch Knight is that it forces builds to be stupid. Stabbing things is most viable at lower levels and begins to become obsolete as a primary shtick around level 7, which are the levels you are taking Wizard so you can qualify for EK.

[radionausea]

I'd have to go with Magus under normal situations.


Paladin2/Sorcerer4/EK10/Hellknight Signifer4 is now doable thanks to Inner Sea Magic.  That nabs you absolutely no casting loss (Eclectic/Esoteric Training), BAB17, ability to cast in armour and your insane charisma to saves. Coupled, obviously with Paragon Surge, Eldritch Heritage: Orc for +6 Innate Strength, Enlarge etc.  That beats the magus I reckon...

[blueskier]

The thing that bugs me about the Eldritch Knight is that it forces builds to be stupid. Stabbing things is most viable at lower levels and begins to become obsolete as a primary shtick around level 7, which are the levels you are taking Wizard so you can qualify for EK.

Well, you could start with a fighter lvl, get a pointy stick and a heavy armor, and stab things while taking wizard levels. At the time it becomes obsolete and your BAB starts to fall you are entering EK

[juton]

Well, you could start with a fighter lvl, get a pointy stick and a heavy armor, and stab things while taking wizard levels. At the time it becomes obsolete and your BAB starts to fall you are entering EK

It would be nice if you could have an EK build that front loaded BAB and Fighter junk instead of a build that catches up to the Rogue only at level 9. By the time you've caught up to the average progression you're better off just slinging spells for the most part.