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With Pathfinder 2.0 coming up as the the main focus, I thought I'd take a shot at getting some questions answered over the blade adept, especially after playing it for a while.

There is a lot of argument on how the blade adept works.

So here goes (Please note that this is not in terms of PFS but home games):

1) The blade adept's black blade cannot be enhanced, like the magus's black blade, correct? This is despite this being a bonded object? This is to avoid an enhancement issues for game mechanics, correct?

2) Does the black blade maintain any enhancement prior to becoming a black blade?

3) The arcanist's arcane reservoir replaces the magus's arcane pool. How is the arcane reservoir points calculated? 3 + arcanist level or 1/3 arcanist level + intelligence?

4) The variant multiclassing describes the magus feature as the arcane pool. If the arcanist's reservoir replaces the arcane pool, can the arcanist use the reservoir to enhance the black blade like how the magus can enhance the black blade?

5) Why pick blade adept over vmc magus? They appear to have roughly the same amount of tradeoffs and benefits. For every increase to the black blade, vmc magus can also enhance the weapon, but do it better and with any weapon. The lost feats were likely to be spent on metamagic, which can be acquired through the arcanist exploits you saved.

Basically, from what I've seen:

Blade adept:
- 3 exploits
- Eldritch Blade
- Spell Strike

VMC Magus:
- 3 exploits (metamagic)
- Broad Study
- Trade in for Spell Strike
- No sentient weapon bonuses - Trade for familiar?

Both of these allow me to get Arcane Accuracy which was the biggest appeal to me.


I'm taking part of a new game starting from level 1.
The other party members are an elf Mystic Archer from the new compendium book, a half elf draconic bloodrager, human paladin, and then me. We will also have a few players that may bounce in and out of sessions.
The mystic archer is the only experienced player, and I have some knowledge.

I'm pretty committed to an Elf gish build, but I wanted some advice for a weapon and feats.

Everyone rolled for their stats so I've got:

Elf with:
STR: 11
DEX: 19
CON: 15
INT: 20
WIS: 12
CHA: 14

Traits: Magical Knack, Student of Philosophy, Sentimental, Warrior of Old

My planned build is Arcanist 1, Swashbuckler 2, Arcanist 3-7, Eldritch Knight 8-17, then 3 classes of something else.

Current build plan is (open to changes):
1: Arcanist (blade adept) - Bond Wakizashi, Feat: Dimensional Slide
2: Swashbuckler
3: Arcanist (blade adept) - Extra Exploit - Quick Study
4: Arcanist (blade adept)
5: Arcanist (blade adept) - Extra Exploit - Magus Arcana Arcane Accuracy
6: Arcanist (blade adept) - Metamagic Knowledge - Intensified Spell
7: Arcanist (blade adept) - Leadership
8: Eldritch Knight - Deadly Aim
9: Eldritch Knight - Extra Exploit Eldritch Blade
10: Eldritch Knight
11: Eldritch Knight - Maximize Spell
12: Eldritch Knight - Improved Critical: Wakizashi
13: Eldritch Knight - Empower Spell
14: Eldritch Knight
15: Eldritch Knight - Spell Perfection (Telekinesis)
16: Eldritch Knight - Weapon Focus: Wakizashi
17: Eldritch Knight - ?
18: Weapon Specialist: Wakizashi
19: Greater Weapon Focus (Wakizashi)
20:

Due to story reasons, I have to start as my spellcaster class or risk not having enough spells (we will be finding our spells rather than leveling up, so I won't start with any if I level up into it).

From the looks of it, my role in the group is the 9th level spells, being the face (I'm the only noble in the group), and essentially be a middle line. This way I can cast heavy spells as needed or wade in with the front line assuming I have bracers of armor or mage armor for early game.
Leadership is for kingdom building and potentially explain the players that would bounce in and out.
We haven't worked out how crafting would work here or if anyone would get it.
I'm told that we are going to be on a boat at some time.

I plan on maxing, Knowledge Arcana, Spellcraft, and Diplomacy.
What ranks should the rest of my knowledge skills, fly, bluff, and acrobatics should be?

My build is leaning towards the Telekinesis spam build, hence the chosen metamagic, though I am worried about the lack of extend and quicken.

I'm partial on the blade adept as the sword is great for roleplaying, and may be necessary if I am getting thrown off the boat.

I went with Wakizashi's because I was concerned that we may run into something that we may need to vorpal, so I wanted weapons that I can throw that can vorpal.

This is eating up the number of my feats, as inspired blade would open up a feat slot, but the gm would not let me change from rapier to Wakizashi. So any advice on feat management would help.

Would it be better to take a different Martial?
I chose swashbuckler for the parrying and dodging for combat and the Derring-Do to make up for my weaker strength.
What about focusing on a different weapon?

What should the last 3 levels be, either more arcanist or prestige classes?

Any recommendations on 3.5 prestige classes? The gm mentioned that if he had the book, we may be able to convert it.

I've been looking at Spell Sword, which would allow me to have armor but needs more armor feats, and Dragon Slayer but that needs dodge and iron will.

Also does arcane accuracy double from spell perfection?
That is the main purpose of it.

Note: I'm calling this the Noctis build after FFXV, so that's the theme I was focusing on for the game. I'd appreciate any recommendations on this end, even if it's for roleplaying.