Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Magic (OGL)

3.10/5 (based on 48 ratings)
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Magic (OGL)
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Raise your character to the pinnacle of magical might with Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic! Within this book, secrets arcane and divine lie ready to burst into life at the hands of all the spellcasting classes in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. In addition to the brand-new magus class—a master of both arcane magic and martial prowess—you'll also find a whole new system for spellcasting, rules for spell duels and other magical specialities, and pages upon pages of new spells, feats, and more. Because when it comes to magic, why settle for less than absolute power?

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic is a must-have companion volume to the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook. This imaginitive tabletop game builds on more than 10 years of system development and an Open Playtest featuring more than 50,000 gamers to create a cutting-edge RPG experience that brings the all-time best-selling set of fantasy rules into the new millennium.

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Magic includes:

  • The magus, a new base class combining deadly arcane magic with the skills and weapons of a trained warrior.
  • Words of power, an innovative and flexible new spellcasting system.
  • New options for dedicated casters, such as alchemist discoveries, alternative uses for channeled energy, druid companions, sorcerer bloodlines, eidolon abilities, witch hexes, and oracle mysteries.
  • Additional feats and magical abilities for martially oriented casters, including monk ki tricks, inquisitor archetypes, and ranger traps.
  • New magical conditions called spellblihgts, as well as systems for crafting constructs, binding outsiders, and spell-dueling.
  • More than 100 new spells, plus detailed guidelines for designing your own.
  • ... and much, much more!

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-299-9

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Last Updated - 03/30/2012

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3.10/5 (based on 48 ratings)

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More Options ! more magic, ... MORE !

5/5

flavorful options, powerful options
classes, archetypes, feats...

while 100% of the boook might not please you, you want this book.

having the choice to build flavorful PC with the right options is priceless (and for this book, you have...)


ultimate magic, rrrrright!!


this book owes its selling rate for the Magus.

lazy feats, some options are good, some others just dotn´
Archetypes: the best Bladebound Magus
worst of all: Trapper Ranger

Spellblights: interesting but too complex for a fumble system
Spellword Casting: at the beginning it looks very nice, then i read it and... is the same spell restriction and opportunities at a expensive cost of time

feats: ok those are feats

Magic spellbooks: why you dont just paraphrase some words concerning about how to protect the spellbooks with some spells and thats all. maybe a feat or two for scaling this option, besides the spellbooks looks greats.

spells: again, the magus options are great.

my advice for you: buy the book, cut the pages concerned for magus, and dump the rest or Download the pdf at any place you can, print the magus and drop the rest


2/5

While I do not think that either this or Ultimate Combat deserve to be called "Ultimate" anything books (maybe Ultimate Monk), I do think that Ultimate Magic does better cover it's proported theme. In my opinion, Inner Sea Magic did a better job overall, but is sadly setting specific.

On th Divine Side (minus Paladin) this book is extremely, extremely limited. There are a few gems, but most are either placed really far out of reach, or just not worth what you give up for them, and might as well not have been there at all rather than tease.

On the Arcane side, this book is full of material, but severely lacking as well. There is an assortment of random material that just seems like it was left over from other books and tossed in here. The only magical items in this book (exceptionally noticable on the Divine Magic side) are Wizard's Spellbooks, (which of the top of my head, only 3 Classes in the entire game will actually have any use for beyond the sell price).

There are a lot of (would be) nice Feats, except they are specific to a Class, or build, or whose names imply it would be great for somone else besides who it is actually intended. Over all, there are a lot of options, but actually very slim pickings. Overall, it leaves a lot of classes and build out in the cold.

Whereas Ultimate Combat is at best Ultimate Monk, Ultimate Magic is closest to being more appropriate as Ultimate Wizard/Inquisitor, (arguably Classes that did not need more).


mediocre at best

3/5

This book is no Complete Divine or Complete Arcance. I mostl play a cleric and this book does little for me personally.

Yeah, its got some interesting tweaks, but for the price, i dobn't think thy are worth it.

So far I've used 1 feat and the spells from this book. Nothing else. Should've bought the APG.


A good product to add to your collection!

5/5

After reading through Ultimate Magic, some new mechanics offered in this book can add flavor and fun to an adventure.

The Magus appears to be a class that is fun to play as. You are able to swipe at your enemies with your sword in one hand and with magic in the other.

Spellblights are interesting. These curses can hinder the spellcasters in different ways.

One chapter that I especially liked was the words of power. The concept was a little hard to wrap around but when you understand it fun ensues. I tried out a couple of words of power in an adventure and it was pretty fun. There was a point where I fought a spellcaster who also had words of power and it felt like the two were having a very destructive debate ha!

Overall I enjoyed this product and I recommend this to everybody!


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

It looks like it might be Complete Arcane, the Magic Item Compendium, and the Spell Compendium all rolled up into one.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Dark Archive

I love you Paizo.

Dark Archive

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

ARG! I don't even have the APG in hand yet, I thought I might have a month before I started going crazy wanting the next book. But... Noooo, .... must have now.

The Exchange

Oh ye gods, another one? I suppose by the time this comes out I'll have had plenty of time to digest the APG, though, so I suppose April works.

All these hardcovers are sure making it hard for me to fill in my back catalog of Golarion material, though. Eventually I'll get caught up to speed....


Is it sad the the thing I was most excited about when reading this were the vermin companions?

Edit: OOOO! more about crafting golems!

Edit 2: I hope this means we will be getting an 'Ultimate Combat' book of some kind :D

Jon Brazer Enterprises

Yea..... Sold.


Awwww - boost the page count to 320 like the other $39.99 books.

C'mon - you know you want to....

:)


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

yes! Yes! YES!!! Did I mention HELL YES?!!!! More exclamation points!!! My first wish for this book is that they create a PF version of the Ultimate Magus from the Complete Mage. I'm going to save my other 2 wishes for later.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

DaveMage wrote:

Awwww - boost the page count to 320 like the other $39.99 books.

C'mon - you know you want to....

:)

This is very unlikely. Multiple 320+ page books in a single year = short drive to the Loony Bin for all of us here at Paizo. And then there'd be NO hardcover books from Paizo, because they won't let us use computers in the Loony Bin.

RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32

James Jacobs wrote:
And then there'd be NO hardcover books from Paizo, because they won't let us use computers in the Loony Bin.

But the Ustalav books written in crayon would be excellent.

RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32

James Jacobs wrote:
This is very unlikely. Multiple 320+ page books in a single year = short drive to the Loony Bin for all of us here at Paizo. And then there'd be NO hardcover books from Paizo, because they won't let us use computers in the Loony Bin.

Depends on why you're committed, I suppose.

Taking Jokes Too Seriously aside, premade spellbooks tickle the cockles of my dark, twisted, hateful GM heart. Will they use just PF core spells, PF core + UM spells, or PF core + UM + other Paizo books?


James Jacobs wrote:
This is very unlikely. Multiple 320+ page books in a single year = short drive to the Loony Bin for all of us here at Paizo. And then there'd be NO hardcover books from Paizo, because they won't let us use computers in the Loony Bin.

not true, they let you use computers in the loony bin

I mean, c'mon, how am I posting this right now.


any chance there will be a playtest on the Words of Power magic system?

Please

RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32

Construct rules and cooperative casting, hooray!

Any chance Adepts get half a page on using them as tribal casters, with some alternate abilities or spells?


I've already given you my soul... I still need so many of these books! Ah, well. What's another 40 bucks? Can't wait!


This book looks awesome! I don't even have my APG yet and now I am anxiously awaiting the play test(s) (I hope we see the magus and the new magic system!), and for the book to be released. So many cool new things to add to my characters!

Dark Archive

Sold on the new magic system and subsystems.

Liberty's Edge

Where is the "cover" art from?

Think it looks cool. I know its not the final (maybe) but it does look nice.

Sean


Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

The art of the cover is from the GameMastery Guide p. 60 - it is not the final cover.

Dark Archive

Sold!

Dark Archive

New familiars, primal magic (wild magic?)... Sold!


Sweet! I was sold at "Ultimate Magic". And one vs. one Spell duels? I am one step closer to my Harry Potter Pathfinder campaign. lol!

Paizo Employee Creative Director

MerrikCale wrote:

any chance there will be a playtest on the Words of Power magic system?

Please

There's a chance, yes.

Public playtests WILL continue as long as we're doing hardcover books. They won't always be super-extensive, though, and some books will skip this stage. We haven't yet decided what parts of Ultimate Magic will be publicly playtested, but I'm pretty sure the magus class will be one of them. The Words of Power rules are likely to be another... and that'll PROBABLY be it for this book's playtest. It's not something we're likely to nail down and decide on for sure until after Gen Con, though.

Paizo Employee Creative Director

thenorthman wrote:

Where is the "cover" art from?

Think it looks cool. I know its not the final (maybe) but it does look nice.

Sean

The ORIGINAL location for this cover art was in the module "City of Golden Death."

Dark Archive

James Jacobs wrote:
DaveMage wrote:

Awwww - boost the page count to 320 like the other $39.99 books.

C'mon - you know you want to....

:)

This is very unlikely. Multiple 320+ page books in a single year = short drive to the Loony Bin for all of us here at Paizo.

Wait. You mean y'all are not there already...?

Contributor

A Man In Black wrote:
Taking Jokes Too Seriously aside, premade spellbooks tickle the cockles of my dark, twisted, hateful GM heart. Will they use just PF core spells, PF core + UM spells, or PF core + UM + other Paizo books?

PFRPG CR + APG + UM.


Stop being so awesome paizo! You're giving everyone else inferiority cmplexes!


James Jacobs wrote:
MerrikCale wrote:

any chance there will be a playtest on the Words of Power magic system?

Please

There's a chance, yes.

Public playtests WILL continue as long as we're doing hardcover books. They won't always be super-extensive, though, and some books will skip this stage. We haven't yet decided what parts of Ultimate Magic will be publicly playtested, but I'm pretty sure the magus class will be one of them. The Words of Power rules are likely to be another... and that'll PROBABLY be it for this book's playtest. It's not something we're likely to nail down and decide on for sure until after Gen Con, though.

Damn, you are Mr Cool


I'm pretty stoked for this book :) Couple of Qs though:

1. Would it be possible to see something like Wild Magic or Truename Magic in this book? It almost seems like Wild Magic is already in it in some form.

2. Any idea when the playtest for the Magus might begin?

Love what I'm seeing so far!


Man I'm barely containing myself at the prospect of getting the APG pdf tomorrow and now I discover this... Curse you Paizo I'm now wishing my days away lol

Book looks amazing though... out of interest will some of the new magic class options build on the archetypes or the base classes? [or both??] - as in say just bard options/spells or some geared towards say the Savage Skald [hint-hint lol]...

Can't wait though - raising the bar yet again people :)

Liberty's Edge

Well James, or Sean,

is there a way to submit a feat for this book ?
(I submitted it for Wayfinder #3, but after the deadline...)

Thanks in advance.


My only question right now is...will this really be released in April, or will it get pushed back to June? ;)

Can't help it! When goodies like this get announced so early I don't want to have to wait longer! It's like Christmas getting pushed back every year!


Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Some concept questions, will the Magus "feel different" than classes like Eldritch Knight or a Spell-sword? I guess the root of the question is will it be different than "I wield a sword! and I cast spells through it!"?

I doubt you can give details yet, but if so, how will it be different in concept?


Please make the badman stop!


walter mcwilliams wrote:
Please make the badman stop!

says my recession ravaged bank account

Dark Archive

Black Dow wrote:
walter mcwilliams wrote:
Please make the badman stop!
says my recession ravaged bank account

Paizo has ravaged mine, on a fairly regular basis. ;)


So that I know how excited to get about it, I would like to know one thing.

Does the Magus cast prepared, or spontaneous magic, and what casting stat does it use?

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
WarDragon wrote:

So that I know how excited to get about it, I would like to know one thing.

Does the Magus cast prepared, or spontaneous magic, and what casting stat does it use?

I don't think the Magus has been written yet. However, when it has been , they've indicated that it will probably go through an open playtest


Mmmmmmmmmmm, tasty crunchy goodness.

Slower releases with higher quality content is something both my bank account and my gaming group can get behind.


I just bought the APG yesterday and I already can't wait for this one. You guys are the best.


Dang blast it! I might have to restart my subscription for this line after all! Dang! Thought I was done!

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Robert Miller 55 wrote:
Dang blast it! I might have to restart my subscription for this line after all! Dang! Thought I was done!

You'll never been done... just accept your fate gracefully.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

WarDragon wrote:

So that I know how excited to get about it, I would like to know one thing.

Does the Magus cast prepared, or spontaneous magic, and what casting stat does it use?

Speculation only:

Spoiler:
I *hope* it's a prepared caster, Int Based for two reasons.

1) To get away from the bard, would be nice for a change

2) More personally, I'm more comfortable designing spontaneous casters not prepared ones, I've my legionary and the arcane duelst now. by all means let them put out a Prepared caster so I can compare.


Wow, this is going to be both fun and insane for me.

I had to pour through the APG Spells and Feats to see if WotC had any duplicates. I usually use WotC's as a default, with exceptions (such as using Lunge over Lunging Strike).

I do the same with spells. It bugs me having "duplicate" spells, where a WotC spell and a Pathfinder spell do almost the same thing with a few twists or a change in spell level and I have to scour each one and make a Word file reference which material is stamped "Confirmed" or "Denied" on it, basically. (for example, there's the Tsunami spell in Spell Compendium and Tsunami in the APG; the one in the Spell Compendium is clearly better than the APG, so I ruled the duplicate in APG out my games)

So, my one request to Paizo staff, look at your WotC books, particularly the Spell Compendium, and try not to make duplicates. The same with feats! It's kinda annoying and tiresome :D Be unique!

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Razz wrote:

Wow, this is going to be both fun and insane for me.

I had to pour through the APG Spells and Feats to see if WotC had any duplicates. I usually use WotC's as a default, with exceptions (such as using Lunge over Lunging Strike).

I do the same with spells. It bugs me having "duplicate" spells, where a WotC spell and a Pathfinder spell do almost the same thing with a few twists or a change in spell level and I have to scour each one and make a Word file reference which material is stamped "Confirmed" or "Denied" on it, basically. (for example, there's the Tsunami spell in Spell Compendium and Tsunami in the APG; the one in the Spell Compendium is clearly better than the APG, so I ruled the duplicate in APG out my games)

So, my one request to Paizo staff, look at your WotC books, particularly the Spell Compendium, and try not to make duplicates. The same with feats! It's kinda annoying and tiresome :D Be unique!

That makes no sense for Paizo. They are interested in new players, and new players should rather be spending $ on Paizo books, instead of scrambling for out-of-print WotC books. So, there will be some overlap.


Razz wrote:
(for example, there's the Tsunami spell in Spell Compendium and Tsunami in the APG; the one in the Spell Compendium is clearly better than the APG

The second part of this isn't really a surprise. Pathfinder has attempted to address the disparity between full spellcasters and those who are not, both by increasing the power of the non-casters and by scaling back the power of many spells. Any duplication in spells is almost invariably going to have the Pathfinder version be weaker by design.

That said, I know there is going to be some duplication based on the sheer volume of old material.


Dark_Mistress wrote:
Robert Miller 55 wrote:
Dang blast it! I might have to restart my subscription for this line after all! Dang! Thought I was done!
You'll never been done... just accept your fate gracefully.

:D

I will do my best!

Grand Lodge

WarDragon wrote:

So that I know how excited to get about it, I would like to know one thing.

Does the Magus cast prepared, or spontaneous magic, and what casting stat does it use?

If I were doing it (but I'm not), I think that I would have tried to make it a sorcerer bloodline.

But they are planning on a new base class. There are some things which you can infer about the class from knowledge of the rules.

1. They will probably have the medium (cleric) BAB.
2. They will probably have a d8 hit points.
3. They will probably have good Fortitiude and Will saving throws.
4. They will probably have light armor proficiency and not have arcane spell failure in light armor.
5. There will be a Magus spell list which will be more combat oriented than the bard spell list, but which won't have the most powerful sorcerer/wizard spells. The spell list will includes 1st through 6th level spells.
6. They will probably have simple weapons and a subset of martial weapons.

The Bard would be a good starting point for speculation. Replace the bard spell list with the magus spell list and the bardic class abilities with magus abilities. (Better armor or weapon selections, channeling spells through weapons, expending spells for bonuses, etc).

Scarab Sages Silver Crescent Publishing

I'm anxious to get a look at pretty much every aspect of this book. One of my primary character classes is the wizard, so this would be a great resource for me!

The Exchange

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

This books for ALL casters and 'magic' types including Druids and Monks. Thanks Paizo, product just went from a solid maybe to MUST GET NOW.

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