Closet-goblin-col 2 avatar
So, one of my players has forsaken his typical wizard for a few weeks in order to make a magus guest star, and one of the problems he's run into is that he has, compared to every other player in the game, very very few resources. We were playing at 7th level (sort of the agreed-upon sweet spot of the game) and, compared to the other characters, the EDK got pooped out very quickly because, in order to do any of its schtick, it relies on spells.
The Magus has been compared to the Eldritch Knight, but, in all fairness, we should be looking at it next to other hybrid classes, like the bard, summoner or inquisitor, with matching BABs and progressions. The problem is that those classes all have resources aside from spells, which is why they're effective in longer-term adventures.
Now, every other 2/3 (which is more like half-power) casting progression class has some kind of resource to call on other than its spells, but the magus has ONLY its spells to rely on, and then a bunch of class features powered by those spells.
The bard, for example, has a large skill pool to call on, numerous rounds of bardic music to use per day (which becomes a move and then swift action), And spells. The Inquisitor has Judgment (more precisely 3/day at the level I was testing at), spells, and the Bane ability. These classes have a large range of schticks, so, if they aren't using spells for one round, they're still living up to their potential.
The Magus, however, is ABOUT casting spells and melee attacking in the same round. That's the unique thing that they do. Any round in which they aren't doing this, they're basically a rogue without sneak attack (a limitless resource).
This is a serious defect in the class because, at any level, the Magus basically has 2 resource pools to call on: Spells, and Arcane weapon. Now, arcane weapon is nice, but doesn't do a ton until slightly higher levels. Again, at 7, the level we played at, the Magus had about 10 spells. This means ten rounds of 'magus schtick' per day. And that's assuming that they aren't burning additional spells for either out of combat utility or to power their other class features. I don't know about you, but my games tend to involve more than ten rounds of combat a day, and a magus who's holding back just isn't very good.
Now, we can compare this to full casters, who only have a few more spells a day at this level, but their spells will be higher level, and their casting stats will likely be higher (also, potential show-stoppers at this level).
Honestly, they need an additional resource.
Closet-goblin-col 2 avatar
So, one of my players has forsaken his typical wizard for a few weeks in order to make a magus guest star, and one of the problems he's run into is that he has, compared to every other player in the game, very very few resources. We were playing at 7th level (sort of the agreed-upon sweet spot of the game) and, compared to the other characters, the EDK got pooped out very quickly because, in order to do any of its schtick, it relies on spells.
The Magus has been compared to the Eldritch Knight, but, in all fairness, we should be looking at it next to other hybrid classes, like the bard, summoner or inquisitor, with matching BABs and progressions. The problem is that those classes all have resources aside from spells, which is why they're effective in longer-term adventures.
Now, every other 2/3 (which is more like half-power) casting progression class has some kind of resource to call on other than its spells, but the magus has ONLY its spells to rely on, and then a bunch of class features powered by those spells.
The bard, for example, has a large skill pool to call on, numerous rounds of bardic music to use per day (which becomes a move and then swift action), And spells. The Inquisitor has Judgment (more precisely 3/day at the level I was testing at), spells, and the Bane ability. These classes have a large range of schticks, so, if they aren't using spells for one round, they're still living up to their potential.
The Magus, however, is ABOUT casting spells and melee attacking in the same round. That's the unique thing that they do. Any round in which they aren't doing this, they're basically a rogue without sneak attack (a limitless resource).
This is a serious defect in the class because, at any level, the Magus basically has 2 resource pools to call on: Spells, and Arcane weapon. Now, arcane weapon is nice, but doesn't do a ton until slightly higher levels. Again, at 7, the level we played at, the Magus had about 10 spells. This means ten rounds of 'magus...
Fix'd. Magus. Tell me what you think.
I definitely think that's several steps in the right direction. Gaining rounds of blink and displacement is a great idea, as is the ability to use int to offset MAD.
Personally, I'd rather see it able to wear some armor, but I'd be much happier with this than nothing but spells.