So my GM is running a game at level 5 with no 3rd party options and 8000g to start, and I was really interested in the Magus class. My friends insist that Magus suffer from "Red Mageitus", not being able to compete with other, non-hybrid classes. I understand what they're saying, but I'd like to make the most efficient Magus I can to show them. After looking at a few guides and bouncing ideas off of my friends, I came up with the following character, and I wanted to know anyone's opinions on it. Input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm going off of the Dervish Dancer build, using Dex rather than Str.
Class: Magus (Blackblade, Hexcrafter, and Fiend Flayer)
As I understand it, you can have multiple archetypes if they don't conflict, right?
Race: Teifling (Base)
Favored Class Magus gives +1/4 per level, helpful since Black Blade lowers your arcane pool a bit.
Ability Scores:
STR: 12
DEX: 18 (+2 racial)(+1 level 4)
CON: 14
INT: 20 (+2 racial)
WIS: 8
CHA: 6 (-2 racial)
I understand that others wouldn't invest as much in INT, but I believe that with certain Magus Arcana (Arcane Accuracy as one), Int becomes very important.
Traits: (GM allows 3 at creation)
Spell Lineage (Shocking Grasp)
Focused Mind
Adopted (By humans, for a bonus feat) It's been pointed out that this is incorrect
Feats:
Weapon Finesse
Dervish Dance
Quickdraw (Quickdraw shield shenanigans)
Intensified Spell (Not really needed at 5, I know)
Armor of the Pit (2 Natural Armor? Yes Please)
Equipment: (8000g)
Equipment is something that I'm probably least familiar with.
2100g +1 Mithril Chain Shirt (Allows +6 Dex bonus)
1059g +1 Metal Shield, Quickdraw (Quickdraw feat allows free action equip/unequip, making it essentially 2 AC with no penalties)
0000g +2 Blackblade (As per archetype)
0315g Masterwork Scimitar (Just in case)
0600g Masterwork Composite Longbow (Probably not worth it with 12 Str, but meh)
2500g Bag of Holding 1 (Low Str, can't limit max Dex bonus to medium-heavy loads)
And tons of misc. adventuring equipment.
Some Reasoning:
So I have the quickdraw shield and Mithril shirt so that I don't get an armor check penalty on any skills, and my max Dex bonus is +6, allowing Cat's Grace to give me the full bonus to attacks, and AC.
With Tiefling Feat "Armor of the Pit", Dex, and Equipment, My standard AC is 23. This can be boosted to 25 when using Cat's Grace.
I understand that metamagic feat "Intensified Spell" is wasted on a level 5 Magus, and should probably be purchased at 7. I'd like opinions on another feat for that slot. (Tinker with stats for Power Attack? Another Magus arcana? Maybe another Metamagic Feat at +1 for use with Spell Lineage "Shocking Grasp").
I Think that a Magus is one of the most versatile classes, especially around this level. This is why I want to use a high INT score, A lot of the versatility comes from using your Arcane Pool. Also at six I plan on getting Arcane Accuracy for +5 on my attack rolls.
So tell me what you think! I'm pretty happy looking at it right now, but I'd really like some input! Thanks.