So here's my question:
"The magus can use the athame as if he were fighting with two weapons, or can use that hand to cast spells as part of the spell combat class ability (but not both in the same round)."
I'm not sure this is the intent, but it seems like this basically gives you the TWF feat?
Does "...use the athame as if he were fighting with two weapons" mean that the character IS NOT fighting with two weapons but is still treated as such (i.e. gets an offhand attack at -2)?
Or is the intent: "now go take TWF so you can use your'e class ability ya sorry sob."
Does "...use the athame as if he were fighting with two weapons" mean that the character IS NOT fighting with two weapons but is still treated as such (i.e. gets an offhand attack at -2)?
He is fighting with two weapons. The only difference between the athame and a dagger is the athame leaves his hand free to cast spells or deliver touch attacks.
So can he take improved TWF, two-weapon defense, etc?
So can he take improved TWF, two-weapon defense, etc?
Sure he can, if he meets the prerequisites.
Anyone with two arms and two weapons can fight with two weapons. They get an extra attack during a full attack, and take very significant penalties.
If that same person takes the Two-Weapon Fighting combat feat, then that feat reduces the penalties. It does not grant an extra attack.
<Face-slaps.>
Gotcha.
Thanks.