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Hello all. I am playing a Magus Hexcrafter and loving it! However one of the things I was wanting to do is make my own spell that is similar to Shocking grasp but has a different flavor that fits my motif of being this scary person (Intimidate Int based build)

Suffice to say here is what I whipped up. My DM wanted me to run it through the brain trust in the forums to give some opinions on if the spell is balanced enough.

Boldin’s Dread Resonance
School evocation [sonic]; magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, bard 1
Casting
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S

EFFECT
Range: touch
Target: creature or object touched
Duration: instantaneous
Saving Throw none;
Spell Resistance yes

DESCRIPTION
This malevolent spell harmonizes with the creature or object touched, unleashing haunting vibrations that only the target can perceive. Upon a successful melee touch attack, it inflicts 1d6 points of sonic damage per caster level (maximum 5d6). When delivering the dread resonance, you have the choice to gain a +3 bonus on attack rolls if the opponent is adorned in crystalline-based armor (or is carrying a crystalline-based weapon or is made of crystal), or to grant a +3 bonus to demoralize the opponent. The eerie vibrations of Dread Resonance strike fear into the touched individual, leaving a lingering sense of impending doom that only they can hear.

Some feedback from DM was that the "OR" part of the spell may be too much or that the +3 should be a +2 bonus to demoralize.

Thanks so much for the advice!

My DM and I are going through the magus class and trying to figure out what is exactly right in terms of action economy. We have scoured the internet and nothing is ever clearly confirmed. We have a few things we need to get clarified which are as follows.

My character is a 5th level Magus so if there are any examples provided please use this.

1. Can you use Spell Combat and Spellstrike together?
What my DM is saying is that Spell Combat is a full-round action but then Spellstrike states "can make one free melee attack with his weapon (at his highest base attack bonus) as part of casting this spell" which in the case of using Shocking Grasp or Frostbite it would be a standard action. This would mean using Spell Combat and Spellstrike together would not be possible.

My understanding is that Spell Combat and Spellstrike is combined. Meaning a level 5 magus would end up being able to make two melee attacks at a -2 (Spell Combat). One from being level 5 and then the other through Spellstrike.

2. If I only use Spell Combat that means the spell I cast (using a melee touch spell [Shocking Grasp]) would mean I would have to deliver that spell as a melee touch attack at a -2. So if you are able to combine Spell Combat and Spellstrike together does that mean the spell would be delivered through a melee touch attack with my offhand or through my actual weapon in my primary hand?

The issue comes from the description inside of Spell Combat where it lists "This functions much like two-weapon fighting, but the off-hand weapon is a spell that is being cast." This kind of makes it sound like you always have to deliver your melee touch [Shocking Grasp as an example] spells through the offhand. The way I read it is that the spell itself is cast with your offhand but with Spellstrike you still deliver it through a free melee attack which would be at a -2 because of Spell Combat.

3. How does Arcane Pool in terms of enhancing your weapon actually work?

My understanding is that at level 5 by spending 1 Arcane Pool Point I get a +2 Enchantment Bonus to spend on either adding +Hit/Dmg or on shocking, flaming, frost, etc...

In this my magus has a +1 scimitar already. I spend 1 Arcane Pool Point and decide to add any of the following combinations but not limited to:
* shocking and flaming
* keen and flaming
* +2 Hit/Dmg

Is this correct?

If anyone could provide clarifications I would really appreciate it and if possible list any sources, FAQs, maybe even a game creator could chime in if not busy working on 2E.

Thanks so much!