So, I'm playing a magus, and my DM recently got spellstrike gloves. My DM seemed to think they were awesome, and would allow me to spellstrike with things like shocking grasp. After closer inspection, I realise that that isnt possible. So I'm wondering, what's the best use I can get out of them? They give slow as an example, but I dont see much else to use.
Up to level 3 for the moment, but whe're going to be going pretty far, so I'm looking to the long-term.
So, I'm playing a magus, and my DM recently got spellstrike gloves. My DM seemed to think they were awesome, and would allow me to spellstrike with things like shocking grasp. After closer inspection, I realise that that isnt possible. So I'm wondering, what's the best use I can get out of them? They give slow as an example, but I dont see much else to use.
Emphasis mine.
You can already use Spellstrike with Shocking Grasp....
What the gloves do is let you use "spells that normally affect one or more creatures at a range greater than 'touch' (such as Slow), [but] not rays or other created effects" as if they had a range of "touch" and therefore use them with Spellstrike.
Say there's an enemy monk in your face who's layin' on some hurt with Flurry of Blows. You can't down him this round, but you could cast Slow to effectively shut him down. With this item, you could cast Slow and use Spellstrike to deliver the effect to him via a melee attack. Since you'd be treating Slow as if it had a range of "touch" you'd get to make a free melee touch attack to deliver it, and Spellstrike lets you use your weapon to deliver the spell and deal normal weapon damage. You could also use Spell Combat to cast Slow, get the free attack, then full attack the monk. If you miss with the free attack, you'll be holding the charge and this gives you more opportunities to deliver the spell.
Unfortunately the Magus doesn't get many spells that are very good for this. In fact only one or two per spell level even qualify. If you took Spell Blending you could get some good Wizard spells like Hold Person or the like which would be neat to spellstrike, but Magus arcana are in short supply so it's not necessarily worth it.
As far as Magus spells, other than 3rd level slow, the only good ones uses of the gloves would be 4th level: Phantasmal Killer, 5th level: Baleful Polymorph, 6th level: Flesh to stone.
Sorry, I meant to say scorchin ray. Stupid me.
After reviewing the spellstrike gloves the real advantage that the gloves seem to provide is options for the magus. By allowing area effect spells and I believe ranged spell attacks other then rays to be used with spellstrike 3 times per day. At least from my interpretation.
The line "The glove can only affect spells that normally affect one or more creatures at a range greater than "touch" (such as slow), not rays or other created effects." does give me pause but I believe it is to stop unusual combinations such as dropping a wall of iron on an opponent by smacking them with your weapon. Thus saving your GM an embolisms from having to adjudicate those kind of funny combos.
That still leaves many useful spells available. ones that jump out immediately are Burning Hands, Color Spray, Hydraulic Push, Acid Arrow, Dispel Magic etc but you get the idea. Single target spells would likely be the best bets but I can see using the ability to occasionally spellstrike with area effect spells. It does become more useful by dipping into the wizard spell list through spell blending though.
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baleful polymorph would be hilarious though I hit you...you're now a squirrel
"Look at me. Now look at your man. Now back to me. Now back to your man. Your man is now a squirrel."