Constitution Dependent Hexcrafter Magus?


Rules Questions


Hello Everyone,

Can a Magus with the Hexcrafter archetype use a level dip into witch with the Scarred Witch Doctor archetype to apply the Constitution Dependent feature on Magus spells and hexes gained from taking Hex Arcana?

My initial reaction was to disallow it but the player pointed out that the Crossblooded Orc/Draconic sorcerer dip used by Admixture wizard blasters applies the bloodline arcana to the Wizard spells thereby crossing the class barrier. Now I am second guessing myself.

The way the Constitution Dependent feature is written makes no mention of the feature only applying to the spells and hexes gained from Witch class levels short of the opening phrase which says "a scarred witch doctor". I'm not sure if that is implying the feature only applies to the witch doctor levels or if anyone who takes a level in the class is now called a scarred witch doctor. I figured if it were allowed, I'd be able to find a post or guide regarding it since it seems really powerful for a Strength-based Magus when coupled with the Orc strength bonus.

Maybe it is sub-optimal or maybe I'm missing something blatantly obvious but any help with a RAW interpretation of this would be greatly appreciated because I don't see any reason to deny it when I've allowed the Crossblooded Sorcerer dip to work.

Thanks,


Your witch spells and hexes will be modified by your Constitution, nothing more. Your Hexcrafter Magus hexes are based on a Witch of your level. Not a scarred witch of your level. I'm up for discussion on this but a quick glance from the abilities makes me think they do not interact with each other, this isn't a sorcerer's bloodline arcana that applies to all spells, or in this case hexes.

Relevant Text

Scarred Witch:
A scarred witch doctor uses Constitution instead of Intelligence when determining the highest level of spells she can cast, her spell save DCs, number of spells known at 1st level, and any effects of her hexes normally determined by her Intelligence.

Hexcrafter:
At 4th level, the hexcrafter magus gains access to a small number of witch’s hexes. The hexcrafter magus picks one hex from the witch’s hex class feature. He gains the benefit of or uses that hex as if he were a witch of a level equal to his magus level.


I would tend to agree with PDWIII. As fpr the sorcerer thing, I think that's more an issue that the bloodline arcana applies to ALL SPELLS, (IE "a spell" rather than "sorcerer spells").

It would allow the magus to be a better frontliner, but dont forget that the SWD doesnt get "bonus spell slots" from constitution; in other cases (like the empyreal sorcerer bloodline) they specify the effect to bonus spell slots; not here.


There are two relevent FAQs regarding this issue. One states that, regarding spells, bonuses cross class barriers by default (unless specific restrictions apply). Draconic arcana, for example, states you get +1 damage per die when casting a spell that matches your bloodline element. The default presumption is that this applies to any spell, not just spells earned through the Sorcerer class. By contrast, if you had an ability that increases the damage by +1 per damage die for spells cast from Sorcerer spell slots, that would be a specific exception to a general rule.

The other FAQ states that class abilities presume single-classing and that if an ability is similar to an ability in another class, they don't stack effect or interact unless one of them specifies that they do. For example, Fighter feat retraining only lets you retrain bonus feats earned by the Fighter bonus feat class ability and not bonus feats earned from other sources. By extension, this would also mean that the Constitution Dependent ability of the Witch doctor doesn't extend to analogous abilities granted by another class.

The overlap here is regarding spells. Spell save DCs, at least, would be covered under the first FAQ saying that bonuses specifically to spells cross class barriers (since multi-classing casters is such a sub-optimal option as is). But effects of hexes is clearly not included as Hexes aren't spells. Spells known at first level and highest level of spells you can cast are a bit of a grey area, though.

So, at the very least, I'd say that Con Dependent will definitely affect spell save DCs and definitely not affect Hexes. Spells known at first level along with highest highest level of spells you can cast may or may not be governed by Con.

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Kermit the Froghemoth wrote:
Crossblooded Orc/Draconic sorcerer dip used by Admixture wizard

There are two FAQ and the best way to differentiate them is this:

All: If an ability doesn't refer to a class or a class mechanic (like "Whenever you cast a spell that deals damage, that spell deals +1 point of damage per die rolled.") then it applies to all classes that cast.

Single: If an ability refers to the name of the class or slots, then it only applies to spells cast by that class (Spontaneous Summon Nature's Ally, Spontaneous Cures, Magus spell list, etc)

Kazaan wrote:
I'd say that Con Dependent will definitely affect spell save DCs and definitely not affect Hexes. Spells known at first level along with highest highest level of spells you can cast may or may not be governed by Con.

I'd disagree.

Scarred wrote:
Constitution Dependent: A scarred witch doctor uses Constitution instead of Intelligence when determining the highest level of spells she can cast, her spell save DCs, number of spells known at 1st level, and any effects of her hexes normally determined by her Intelligence.

It says "A scarred witch doctor", so only the scarred witch doctor spells should have their DC set by Con. Not any other class.


Thank you for all the help, everyone. I've been trying to develop a more consistent approach to my rulings. Walking me through the rationale was very helpful and I appreciate it.

Happy Gaming!

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