When an Arcanist casts Mage's Sword, what stat do they use to calculate the sword's attack bonus?


Rules Questions


2 people marked this as FAQ candidate.

Mage's Sword states the following:

Quote:
This spell brings into being a shimmering, sword-like plane of force. The sword strikes at any opponent within its range, as you desire, starting in the round that you cast the spell. The sword attacks its designated target once each round on your turn. Its attack bonus is equal to your caster level + your Intelligence bonus or your Charisma bonus (for wizards or sorcerers, respectively) with an additional +3 enhancement bonus. As a force effect, it can strike ethereal and incorporeal creatures. It deals 4d6+3 points of force damage, with a threat range of 19–20 and a critical multiplier of ×2.

So, what stat does an Arcanist use? I'd assume INT, since it's their casting stat, but I'd like a more definitive answer. Since the spell specifically lists that it uses INT for Wizards and CHA for Sorcerers (and Arcanist didn't exist when the spell was written), it's somewhat unclear.

I suppose I should also ask a related question -- if a Cleric uses Miracle to dupe Mage's Sword, do they choose whether to use INT or CHA? Do they get no bonuses, because they're neither a wizard nor a sorcerer? It's likewise unclear.

I apologize if this has been asked and answered before, but I couldn't find an answer in the FAQs. Thanks for your help!

Shadow Lodge

The most relevant thing I can find is the FAQ on spiritual weapon, which doesn't answer the RAW* but strongly encourages the common-sense interpretation that you use your casting stat (Int for Arcanists).

*The parenthetical in the text suggests that it's not the character's choice, which in the case of classes not mentioned leaves us clueless.

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