|
Hello Everyone,
The Magus should be a class that seamlessly blends the arcane with the martial. However, what role can the magus play as part of an adventuring party? Are they meant to be in the thick of the action, or constantly skirting around melee to take down the biggest enemy threat with sporadic high damage attacks? I think if done right, the Magus should be capable of focusing on either or doing both somewhat admirably.
However, right off the bat I have a disconnect with the nature of arcane study and the quick martial delivery of arcane effects through standard rather than spontaneous casting methods. The "feel" of the magus seems somewhat distorted - spontaneous casting ala the sorcerer or bard would seem to marry up far better with this concept rather than the awkward moonlighting study concept presented. Library expeditions for esoterica just does not mesh with a martialist in my opinion when the magic and the weapon-skill need to be as one.
However if an intelligence based study version is required, what if the Magus "invests" arcane energy directly into their weapon to be accessed as appropriate. They study various rituals to imbue their weapon with a spell effect that may be accessed later, rather than being a half-weapon, half-casting two-"weapon" fighter? Such a ritualistic approach is the only way how I can make the Magus concept as presented work in my head in terms of roleplaying it. Otherwise it just feels like a fighter and a wizard bolted together rather than a true base class.
Anyway, in terms of playtesting, this was the very first thing that struck me as awkward. I would prefer the "story" of the Magus to be either spontaneously arcane weapon dancing, or carefully invested rituals into the Magus's weapon; not a frankenstein of the two.
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
Martial Katas would be cool instead of studying a spellbook a Magus could practice a series of kata to regain spells. Same time spent different method [different flavor]. Warrior scholar training mind and body into a perfect marriage of sword play and magic. The dance of the blade [somatic] his call to battle [verbal]. He adds half his BAB to defensive casting.
As the Beta Magus stands now it seems like in the early levels he is actively in the process of learning to combine sword and sorcery (no spontaneous). As such flavor and story wise I was planing on starting my Magus (for this weekend) as beginning with arcane formula in a spell book and eventually moving towards a morning training circle akin to the one The Mask of Zorro movie. With Arcane formula creating the base, drawn out in chalk or in the dirt. The act of drawing or practicing the arcane symbols combine with ritual sword forms help lock the magical energies in place for release later.
Defiantly by 4th level with Arcane Weapon you have justification for this. Without the bonded weapon (that has become integral to the spell imprinting) it becomes that much more difficult to complete the formula and release the arcane energy.
1st — still grumbling over book
2nd — starting to draw out the formula on the ground, or twiddling the weapon around in a similar pattern. (first +1 BAB and has really learned how to fight with a weapon)
3rd — combing the two (+2 BAB, hey
4th — mastered this method of arcane study and integrated a chosen weapon. (and binding magical energies to that weapon in the process)
*edit* Or....
1st — +0 BAB: Uh I can hold a book in one hand and a sword in the other... how do I turn the pages?
2nd — +1 BAB: look at what I do *waggles sword in a complex but sloppy circle*
3rd — +2 BAB: hey Ma, I can pat my head and rub by belly at the same time without tripping over my feet
4th — Arcane Weapon: check this out, I can balance a stack of plates on my head while rubbing my belly and one hand juggle a flaming sword.