Here is a thread I have started for discussion on how to improve the playtest in future. I would value the opinion of those who contributed to this thread.
Please keep up the good work!
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OK; here's the sample PC I created for the purposes of playtesting last week. Since I couldn't prise anyone away from the Warhammer table, I had to play solo (with a party of pregens) through some of the Season 0 PFS mods. I picked these since they are more likely to be familiar to those who have played them, less likely to be used in a current con so won't spoil things for those who haven't. They're also short and sweet, include some interesting locations, and are fairly linear, so don't rely too much on long RP that's irrelevant to a playtest.
I created a level 1 magus; I'll leave it to others to show how they play at level 10+. My major concern with any class is whether it survives level 1-3; if not, then the higher level abilities may as well not exist, since there wouldn't be any higher level PCs alive.
Building the character, I was aware of the limited choices available, in spells and feats; I am expecting these to be expanded upon in Ultimate Magic and future books.
Any mistakes or comments on the initial build, regardless of party composition or adventure choices?
I actually made one for the fun of it almost like this one, but I opted for a tad different stats.
The idea is Int 18 at level 8 and Dex 16 at level 12, but I make characters with flavor and balance in mind first, so he is not exactly what you would call optimized. :-)
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I actually made one for the fun of it almost like this one, but I opted for a tad different stats.
The idea is Int 18 at level 8 and Dex 16 at level 12, but I make characters with flavor and balance in mind first, so he is not exactly what you would call optimized. :-)
What a handsome fellow he is! LOL
It's amusing to see the similar build, arrived at independently.
Good Str, Good Dex, High Int. I'm assuming you're doing this for similar reasons, to get a good starting spell choice, and keep the Concentration roll high?
I've seen builds with High Str and merely Good Int, presumably counting on Str paying off more often, but I don't see how they will manage to consistently pull off the Spell Combat caster checks. In which case, they'll be alternating cast, attack, attack, cast, etc, doing all one thing, then all the other, and never the two shall meet. In which case, why not be a Ftr/Wiz? Same BAB, same average hp, longer spell list, school powers, and scribing scrolls after the first pay day.
Well, as I said, I have a preference for balanced builds, so no dump stats for me. For better or worse, I find dropping Wiisdom and/or Charisma to 7 extremely unappealing; when I think of heroes, somehow the common sense and social graces of, say, a platypus are not the first things that come to mind.
I generally think of flavor and theme first, so a magus -i.e. a fighter/mage- sorta kinda screams elf at me, so elf it is. Thus, as far as abilities go, I am thinking grace and Dexterity (and mechanically-wise, AC, saves and ranged touch and Acrobatics), as well as Intelligence (which also helps with the mechanical part of starting spells, spell slots, spell DCs and concentration, plus Knowledge and Spellcraft), with combat skills and Strength (melee attacks) a close third. Then, Wisdom (saves and Perception and Sense Motive) to account for his being not only a spellcaster, but also about a century old on average, and Constitution (hit points and saves), because he may be a warrior but he is also an elf, frailer than other races. Finally, Charisma; average, since his focus is his Art, that being blade and spell, rather than diplomacy and charm, but still average, not handicapped. Level up ability points would probably go to Intelligence (4th, 8th) and Dexterity (12th) and then, if the campaign gets that far, Constitution probably (16th, 20th).
For weapon, a nice longsword and for armor something light or at most medium, so in the long run an elven chain will do nicely. Again, going with the image I have of an elven fighter/mage or bladesinger. Josidiah Starym comes to mind.
The trait is for practical reasons (gives a boost to initiative and helps me avoid taking Improved Initiative), but also for the flavor of it, which is why I did not choose Reactionary that does the exact same thing mechanically. As for skills, Acrobatics for the graceful part, Knowledge and Spellcraft for the studious part and Perception and Sense Motive because I like my PCs to be at least a little perceptive about their surroundings and other people. The feat goes to Arcane Strike for a boost in damage (3rd level is for Combat Casting).
All in all, I prefer balanced builds, rather than optimized ones that go for the primary stats of the class, neglecting the not-so-useful ones. Mechanically, I would probably refrain from using Spell Combat as it is now until I felt secure enough in my concentration and melee attack to take the risk or until 8th level and the Improved version, but I would keep it in mind as an option even at the low levels; you never know.
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That reasoning could almost be my own words.
That is uncanny.
I too hate dump stats if I can help it, especially in the mental stats, unless I'm creating an NPC or a specifically brutish PC. I'm satisfied with maintaining 10s and 11s to match the normal folk.
Joking aside, the fact that we both came up with such similar PCs does cause me concern that everyone else may be doing the same; that there is perceived to be only one valid, playable build, using material available in Core and APG.
I'd prefer to think that it's just because we're all grognards, trying to recapture our first ever Basic D&D Elf?
Although my experience with even 2nd edition D&D is extremely limited to only a few sessions (so non-existent with basic or 1st), novels and the Baldur's Gate games really made me think of the fighter/mage as first and foremost an elf. And I have always waited for a nice fighter/wizard or bladesinger type of class since playing the multi-classed elven fighter/mage of old.
As far as builds are concerned, from what I have seen in the playtest, I think we might actually be in the minority. Most builds seem to be humans with scimitars or rapiers (not to mention a whip build), going with Str-Int or Dex-Int even to the point of dropping at least one ability (usually Cha I think) to 7, so not really sure how many will go for the elf-and-longsword route really, at least with the way the class is at the moment.
Of course, we have to wait and see what the finished 'product' is like before we can say for sure.
Galilleo Figaro, Castor, Alisor, james maissen, please.
This is a "Standardised Playtest Feedback for Magus in Actual Play". This is one of the few playtest threads containing actual feedback from actual play. Please don't dilute this thread.
/Kind regards.