Wizards go through a painful process to learn how to cast spells and how to learn spells. Even casting the spell itself is an arcane science, unlike the easy-breezy spontaneous methods of the bard and sorcerer, and therefore require a great intellect.
At least, that's how D&D fluff has sold us the wizard since, pretty much forever.
However, the methodical and universal methods of wizardric magic comes with a boon: once a wizard knows the "code" and the language of magic, he/she is able to decipher, learn and cast every wizard spell that his/her level of master can handle. This has allowed wizardric magic to be developed, studied and exchanged from a wizard to another regardless of language, race or culture. Versatility has ever been the wizard's greatest tool. Again, this is how the fluff, and to a great extend the rules, of wizardry has been presented for a long time including, correct me if I'm wrong, in Pathfinder RPG.
The Magus' restricted spell list seems to go against this philosophy IF the Magus is supposed to be a wizard analogue. However, When I red the description of the Magus, I had the feeling that the Magus WAS trained in the ways of wizardry, but the limited spell list seems to suggest otherwise.
To a certain extent, I understand the need for the Magus' spell list, but having this half-wizard able to learn half the wizard's spells seems to go against the foundations of wizardric magic. Arcane magic being discovered more than granted (as opposed to divine magic), I have a philosophical issue with a thematically but otherwise arbitrary reduced spell list for wizard type characters. I would not have the same issue if the Magus was a spontaneous caster, or if more attention is to be given on how Magi spells differ from those of wizards'.
Barring some entire schools of magic may be more in line with the existing rules and fluff (limiting the Magus selection of spells to 4 schools and treating all other as "opposed schools"?).
'findel
Mechanics wise.. he's not. He's built on the chassis of the Cleric as Jason has pointed out. He's not finished yet either, there is retooling to be done and the accessories are waiting in the rest of Ultimate Magic.
The Magus' restricted spell list seems to go against this philosophy IF the Magus is supposed to be a wizard analogue.
Confusing statement, I meant wizard's analogue in terms of technique, as described in the Magic section of the rules, particularly under Preparing a Wizard's Spell and Arcane Magical Writing. let me rephrase:
"The Magus' restricted spell list seems to go against this philosophy IF the Magus is supposed to be a student of wizard's magic."
If you read the flavor text of the class, you'll see that "The Magus spends his days learning to fight and his nights moonlighting over magical texts." He's not an aberrant type of wizard, he's more of two-timing swordsman, but only by so much.
"The Magus' restricted spell list seems to go against this philosophy IF the Magus is supposed to be a student of wizard's magic."
Yes, which explain its 3/4 progression and the fact that he'll never cast spells above 6th. But for a wizard (note that this is different for other casters because of their spellcasting technique), being able to learn 1 spell but not the other is like a someone being able to read one English sentence but not the other.
Now there is a precedent with the wizard, whereas specialists are barred from casting certain spells for lack of study in a certain domain. But in this case, there is a conceptual link between the barred spells; the are all part of a school of magic. To continue with my analogy, its like if the wizard never learned to conjugate the past tense, only focusing on the future. Nevertheless, the specialist can spell any sentence that isn't conjugated in the past tense regardless if that is of any interest to him or not.
There's very "wizard-like" rationale behind the concept of opposed school that is lacking in the case of the Magus. If the Magus is supposed to be a half-wizard as opposed to a half-(some other class), the same idea of rationality should apply to the Magus IMO.
The Magus is still a dedicated spellcaster, not unlike the bard. It is supposed to be published in Ultimate Magic, which I understand its why the Magus is a 3/4 BAB, 3/4 caster as opposed to an arcane paladin. It can't be that much of a part-tine dabbler in arcane magic...
'findel
I'm of the opinion the Magus should get schools of magic that he is proficient with. Almost like a reverse specialist wizard.
Say at level 1 he gets four schools of magic. He can cast these spells without any problems because those are the magical theories he's spent his time on.
The other schools of magic either cost more to cast, are higher level, or just can't be used. Then he can spend his magus arcana on learning the other schools too, representing the extra time he's spent on other theories of magic.
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I have to argue that learning to be martial artist, and I use the term in general sense of all people who learn to fight, not just eastern martial arts (Kung Fu, Gung Fu, ect) could be just as difficult to master as lets say magic. It's just a differant skill set.
Blending two much differant styles is difficult. From my reading of the Magus, I imagine schools that train students of this class to be physically and mentally demanding. In a fantasy world setting, I see the Magus class evolving from a "bodyguard/companion" to a wizard and some of the team work feats already available would compliment that idea nicely. There might be some newer feats that go further to develop that.
I have to wonder how they intend to flesh this out with Golarion. Off the top of my head I imagine the rising out of the Xin/Sin magic tradition of the Runelords.
For my part, I really liked my brother's design for the Weirbrand — they cast as wizard but are limited to specific schools. This was a good way to capture the idea of "no time for magic AND fighting" but letting the class benefit from the flexibility of a spellbook. Plus, the "martial school powers" for each school are really cool.
I'm a little disappointed with how the Magus is by comparison. It seems like spellbook flexibility and school powers were both left out of the equation in favor of more generic ("rogue talent"-esque) things. For a base class in Ultimate Magic, I kinda wanted to see something that says "Blam Pathfinder Magic! Schools! School powers! Spellbooks!"
Buuuut... I should probably hold my opinion to myself because I haven't had the time for a careful reading on the Magus. Please interpret this as a flavor request... maybe up the "Wizard-like" angle on the class a little, with the Weirbrand as an example of what I mean.
Wizards go through a painful process to learn how to cast spells and how to learn spells. Even casting the spell itself is an arcane science, unlike the easy-breezy spontaneous methods of the bard and sorcerer, and therefore require a great intellect.
At least, that's how D&D fluff has sold us the wizard since, pretty much forever.
However, the methodical and universal methods of wizardric magic comes with a boon: once a wizard knows the "code" and the language of magic, he/she is able to decipher, learn and cast every wizard spell that his/her level of master can handle. This has allowed wizardric magic to be developed, studied and exchanged from a wizard to another regardless of language, race or culture. Versatility has ever been the wizard's greatest tool. Again, this is how the fluff, and to a great extend the rules, of wizardry has been presented for a long time including, correct me if I'm wrong, in Pathfinder RPG.
The Magus' restricted spell list seems to go against this philosophy IF the Magus is supposed to be a wizard analogue. However, When I red the description of the Magus, I had the feeling that the Magus WAS trained in the ways of wizardry, but the limited spell list seems to suggest otherwise.
To a certain extent, I understand the need for the Magus' spell list, but having this half-wizard able to learn half the wizard's spells seems to go against the foundations of wizardric magic. Arcane magic being discovered more than granted (as opposed to divine magic), I have a philosophical issue with a thematically but otherwise arbitrary reduced spell list for wizard type characters. I would not have the same issue if the Magus was a spontaneous caster, or if more attention is to be given on how Magi spells differ from those of wizards'.
Barring some entire schools of magic may be more in line with the existing rules and fluff (limiting the Magus selection of spells to 4 schools and treating all other as "opposed schools"?).
'findel
+lots
I don't post much but I wish to throw my support entirely behind this idea. Unlike most people my first reaction upon reading the Magus over wasn't OMG why the gibbled BaB (to me 3/4 BaB + 6 levels of casting makes perfect sense). Instead my reaction was why the gibbled spell list. I don't see what the problem would be with giving them more or less unfettered acess to the entire wizards levels 0-6 spell list. I mean in the end they're limited by a low number of spells per day right. Maybe there's some uber combination I'm missing that makes it nesicary to restrict their spell acess but I really don't see it.
Anyway thanks for listening to your players Paizo my brain starts turning mushy after just a few minutes of reading playtest boards. You guys rock ^_^
- Torger
You need to look at it as the Magues as a specialist wizard. Much like other specialist he has restricted himself in what he can learn to cast. But he has gone a step farther then other types of specialists. He has blend magic and fighting styles to such a fine point that only magics tie in to his "school" is learnable. He is far more focused then other specialists and as such his control of the arcane is much tighter.
While may understand arcane magic, but things outside his limited scope are outside of his "school". He is to focused to master them all, if he did that he would be a wizard, not a magues
You need to look at it as the Magues as a specialist wizard. Much like other specialist he has restricted himself in what he can learn to cast. But he has gone a step farther then other types of specialists. He has blend magic and fighting styles to such a fine point that only magics tie in to his "school" is learnable. He is far more focused then other specialists and as such his control of the arcane is much tighter.
While may understand arcane magic, but things outside his limited scope are outside of his "school". He is to focused to master them all, if he did that he would be a wizard, not a magues
I think the OP is agreeing fully with you -- simply disagreeing on how the mechanics should show this.
I fully agree the magus isn't a full caster like the wizard, but think having him use the wizard list with access limited by school of magic makes more sense for the fluff given than an "arbitrary" (using the word loosely here) spell list of his own.
Especially since the class doesn't "develop" it's own spells in anyway fluff wise -- it just moonlights on wizard books.
By limiting the magus by schools of magic instead of his own list we don't have to worry about dividing out spells for him later, we give him more versitility between builds (since someone might want evocation and someone else might prefer necromancy) and we make him less of a "this is the magus class only stuff" and more of a "hey I was reading a wizard's book while going through fighter school at the same time" feel.
I fully agree the magus isn't a full caster like the wizard, but think having him use the wizard list with access limited by school of magic makes more sense for the fluff given than an "arbitrary" (using the word loosely here) spell list of his own.
The issue is mechanic wise, he needs his own list. As a 3/4th caster he needs his list and spell levels of some spells adjusted and some new spells added or he'll always be well behind the curve on spells.
Ya can call the list a Magues "school" if ya like, that is more or less what it is. A very restrictive form of school
No its not the same as an AA, which is almost pure fighter with a wee bit of magic. It's closer to an EK, but the EK keeps it's old classes spell list and progression.
The Magues needs it's own list, it needs a list that can be adjusted to give it appropriate level spells for it's character level. Much like all the other 3/4th casters.
Um... lets see... in a word, "No."
It's already been stated that the magus is going to be a studious caster, and that this isn't going to change.
Also the fluff in no way matches a charisma based caster with spontaneous spell access.
It's not in concept for this class.
You need to look at it as the Magues as a specialist wizard. Much like other specialist he has restricted himself in what he can learn to cast. But he has gone a step farther then other types of specialists. He has blend magic and fighting styles to such a fine point that only magics tie in to his "school" is learnable. He is far more focused then other specialists and as such his control of the arcane is much tighter.
While may understand arcane magic, but things outside his limited scope are outside of his "school". He is to focused to master them all, if he did that he would be a wizard, not a magus
I agree with everything you said, except that I find his "scope" hard to define. The question of "Why can the Magus use this battle spell but not that one?" is hard to motivate fluff-wise, even if I (partly) understand the mechanical reasoning behind it.
I think it would help to use boundaries and limitations we already know of and are already well integrated in the game: schools of magic.
The universality of the wizard's methodology is something fundamental that I wouldn't like to see hand-waved without a good mise-en-contexte or some explanation from Paizo. At the moment, there is no notion of "level of difficulty" or "rarity" within spells of the same level. We know that specialists must sacrifice some of their versatility for specialization, but the categorization of spells are already well defined within the game with schools and sub-schools. I'm not too sure how I'd feel about a "school of combat" (or a school of elementalism, or school of shadows or school of geometry for that matter). I do have strong feelings about wizard magic being an arcane science which knows less thematic boundaries than divine magic or other branches of arcane magic.
'findel
I don't know how to feel about this class. I like the concept of a blend of warrior/mage, but I don't think anything was wrong with the Eldritch Knight. I do think that the OP has a point, philosophically speaking. Perhaps a Warmage style caster with a limited spell list, to which they can choose to add spells. Or maybe not. I'm not sure that giving them access to the entire Wizard spell list is a problem, given their limitations as caster. Or limiting their access to spell schools. Quite a few interesting ideas were stated above. Ultimately, I think I would prefer that the Wizard and Fighter receive alternate class features that segue nicely into Eldritch Knight. I just don't see a need for a new base class. As always, to each their own, and have fun with what you're doing.
The Arcane Archer If done Right Ends up A 9th level caster throwing 5th level spells and can cast through his bow aera spells and enhance his arrows.With attack bouns of 17/12/7/2.
The Magus has more in common with the Archer than you think.
The arcane archer throws away class abilities to save money and little else. The magus is melee based (see spell combat and spellstrike and weapon bond) in concept.
So Make the Magus a Prestige Class
Or as we like to call it:
The eldritch knight.
Though it would be arguable that the magus needs a different spell list for earlier access to some spells, the current magus spell list has no such spells.
So, my preference would be for "hyperspecialization". The Magus spell list is the sorcerer/wizard spell list; the Magus picks three schools of magic. The magus gets those three at full access, and the other five at two-slots-to-prepare.
Though it would be arguable that the magus needs a different spell list for earlier access to some spells, the current magus spell list has no such spells.
So, my preference would be for "hyperspecialization". The Magus spell list is the sorcerer/wizard spell list; the Magus picks three schools of magic. The magus gets those three at full access, and the other five at two-slots-to-prepare.
The bard get access to 4 schools (well, kind of); divination, conjuration, enchantment and illusion.
By symmetry, the Magus could have access to the 4 other schools; necromancy, evocation, abjuration and transmutation. That would complete the "arcane circle" quite nicely IMO.
Credits go to Tejon's Iron Mage for this concept 'though...
The issue I have, is folks are saying "it has no spells with changed levels" by not doing it onn list you open up 2 cans of worms. 1 is you forever bar changing a spell level to match what level the pc gains it. And 2 you open it up to every single wizard spell made, both new and old . And some of those may work too well with the new class.
I am firmly in the own spell list camp.
The Magus Get All 0 level spells
Actually, he does not.
The issue I have, is folks are saying "it has no spells with changed levels" by not doing it onn list you open up 2 cans of worms. 1 is you forever bar changing a spell level to match what level the pc gains it. And 2 you open it up to every single wizard spell made, both new and old . And some of those may work too well with the new class..
That's easy enough to correct by calling out Core (same as page yada yada in PFRPG) + listed subset from other books as the available list. Then in new books either adding Magus to the / of Wiz/Sorc, or calling out a spell specifically as different level Magus Spell.
I can't say much to adresses the variant levels of core, but currently I do not any spells on the Magus list that have altered spell levels from Wiz/Sorc.
I will hold true judgment about the viablity of a purely standalone list until the a more robust list is presented for testing.
And 2 you open it up to every single wizard spell made, both new and old.
Humm, while I can see where it could lead to some potential issues, isn't what wizardric magic should be doing? I'm not talking about arcane magic in general, I'm talking about the magical principles that wizards learn at school (or from their mentor or whatever), the very foundations of the wizard's way to learn and cast spells.
Wizard magic was made possible by the development of arcane scriptures: that's what wizards inscribe in their spellbook. The ability to cast spell is twofold:
1) you need to be able to provide spell slots.
2) you need to understand the magical scriptures.
Combine the two and you get a wizard. The fluff provided by the game (supported by the rules) all the way from 1E has given us a very academic wizard. Spells can be inscribed, knowledge can be passed on. No other spellcasting tradition support that (both in fluff and rules). As far as the PC is concerned, its merely convenient. But on the bigger scale (in this fantasy world off course), this is HUGE!
A different wizard with a different spell list questions the whole integrity of the wizard's methodology, and I can't help feeling rather sad about this...
'findel
Not at all, maybe because of how they blend spells and combat together Magues have their own"short hand" or scrip. On that while it is close to that used by common wizards has it's own formula.
They are not wizards, they have taken part of the formula wizards use and changed it. Doing so opened up new ways of doing things, but closed some door.
It's like English and German. They both have the same root language, but are different. The magues does not use the wizard formula, but something Kin to it.
1) Yep, it's a design decision that rates simplicity and in-game logic over customization. Compare the existence of a single Sor/Wiz list in the first place, which actually has less in-game logic.
2) Spells that will work too well with a Magus will work too well with an Eldritch Knight, so they already have to be watched.
Not at all, maybe because of how they blend spells and combat together Magues have their own"short hand" or scrip. On that while it is close to that used by common wizards has it's own formula.
They are not wizards, they have taken part of the formula wizards use and changed it. Doing so opened up new ways of doing things, but closed some door.
It's like English and German. They both have the same root language, but are different. The magues does not use the wizard formula, but something Kin to it.
The whole "they are like wizards", "they are not" routine won't get anywhere.
Wizard fluff on how he casts spells: Study how spells work, learn how to cast them, prepare them from a previously written incantation and cast afterwards.
Magus fluff on how he casts spells: Study how spells work, learn how to cast them, prepare them from a previously written incantation and cast afterwards.
As far as "What is a spell", the magus treats magic no differently than a wizard. What keeps the magus from being a wizard is the fact he studies less spells, not that he learns them through a different process. ("Learning through a different method" is never mentioned, just the amount of dedication put to it)
Under this setup, it makes sense that the magus can learn any spell the wizard can, with the restricted max spell level (since he won't have time to mess with the big stuff) and, if that is not enough, a restricted number of schools, just like specialist wizards used to do in 3.5: They choose to focus on a few schools and don't grasp the intricacies of others.
Thus, a magus coherent with his spellcasting fluff would have access to all wizard spells of a restricted number of schools.
Mechanics-wise, I feel being able to learn from the wizard spell list instead of its own spell list is much better due to the simple fact that having more spells to choose from greatly outweighs the possible advantage of access to select 7-9 spells.
Wizards receive more support than the magus ever will: Thus it's much easier to improve the magus without dedicating time away from wizards and we players have greater freedom of customization.
I disagree, nothing is different for any caster but fluff. They all work the same way. A sorc and a bard cast just alike, so do a druid and a cleric.
They are not wizards, they are wizard like. They blend ideas of the wizard but are not wizards. If ya need an in game reason I gave ya one that works and fits.
If ya need a mechanic reason that has been covered more then once.
I disagree, nothing is different for any caster but fluff. They all work the same way. A sorc and a bard cast just alike, so do a druid and a cleric.
They are not wizards, they are wizard like. They blend ideas of the wizard but are not wizards. If ya need an in game reason I gave ya one that works and fits.
If ya need a mechanic reason that has been covered more then once.
Yet, except for the arbitrary spell list, the Magus' spellcasting mechanic is indistinguishable from the Wizard's.
These are the big mechanic reasons to use a separate list:
1) tailor higher level spells to be castable by the magus
2) keeps the magus from using spells way too powerful.
Why I call these reasons flawed:
1) Access to more spells gives the more flexibility of useful spells, not less.
2) Keeping the Magus from using such hypothetical spells doesn't keep them from being used by the other 2 wizardlike casters who can make full use of their hypothetical melee obscenity: Wizards and wizard/eldritch knights. No spell that is overpowered for the Magus wouldn't be overpowered for them.
Yet, except for the arbitrary spell list, the Magus' spellcasting mechanic is indistinguishable from the Wizard's.
So is the cleric and druid. Yet, oh look whole different spell lists. And wait paladin/ranger very same mechanic yet whole other spell lists.
Summoner,bard,inquisitor. Yep same mechanic, whole independent spell lists.
Your demanding a open list, based only off the fact he is arcane and uses a spellbook. That does not mean he uses the very same formula as a wizard. None of the classes I listed above use the same list. In fact only 2 classes share a list. The norm is for a new class to have it's own list, not share a list of another class.
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I'm with both of you as the first thing is why can't he learn any spell he finds in a spellbook... but having his own list just lets us know when he can have access to some spells. He can still learn everyspell on his list and hopefully there will be a sidebar on allowing other spells to be added at appropriate levels, for the Magus and the other limited spell list classes.
--School of Vrock
Yet, except for the arbitrary spell list, the Magus' spellcasting mechanic is indistinguishable from the Wizard's.
So is the cleric and druid. Yet, oh look whole different spell lists. And wait paladin/ranger very same mechanic yet whole other spell lists.
Summoner,bard,inquisitor. Yep same mechanic, whole independent spell lists.
Your demanding a open list, based only off the fact he is arcane and uses a spellbook. That does not mean he uses the very same formula as a wizard. None of the classes I listed above use the same list. In fact only 2 classes share a list. The norm is for a new class to have it's own list, not share a list of another class.
Actually those classes don't even come close to casting spells "just like a wizard does."
Consider that the cleric and druid are both divine casters and thus use a completely different mechanic and several different rules from the wizard.
The bard and summoner are closer, but still don't cast spells just like the wizard. They don't state in the fluff that they cast like wizards, they don't state it in the mechanics, and they can't use a wizard's spellbook/spells at all. Their method of casting is different.
The magus specifically states that the wizard can use his book to learn spells and visa versa (list issues that are only *currently* an issue aside), they are both intelligence based, non spontaneous casters, with the exact same mechanics -- and indeed spells of the exact same level -- as each other.
The witch doesn't even match up like this since the witch's spells are provide by a patron instead of learned arcane formula.
Yet, except for the arbitrary spell list, the Magus' spellcasting mechanic is indistinguishable from the Wizard's.
So is the cleric and druid. Yet, oh look whole different spell lists. And wait paladin/ranger very same mechanic yet whole other spell lists.
Summoner,bard,inquisitor. Yep same mechanic, whole independent spell lists.
Your demanding a open list, based only off the fact he is arcane and uses a spellbook. That does not mean he uses the very same formula as a wizard. None of the classes I listed above use the same list. In fact only 2 classes share a list. The norm is for a new class to have it's own list, not share a list of another class.
cleric: divine magic, know all spells
druid/ranger: divine "nature" magic, know all spells.oracle/summoner/bard: spontaneous caster, limited number of spells
inquisitor/paladin: divine magic, know all spells, limited number of spells
Yeah, there are mechanical differences. Also notice there are fluff reasons for each of them to have their own spell list. The cleric prays to a god or concept. Druids pray to the earth itself. Summoners and bards have a specialized type of magic. Oracles, who are indistinguishable from a cleric save for the spontaneous/limited casting, have access to the cleric spell list.
The magus' spellcasting is nothing of that. It's mechanically identical to the wizard except for the max spell level cap. It's fluffed identical to the wizard except for "he studies part time instead of full time". Wizards and Magi can even learn spells from each other spell books without any hindrance.
Ya guys are not getting what I am sayin. The druid/cleric share the same mechnic yet do not share a list. summoner/bard/inquisitor also use the very same castin mechanic, but all use diffent list.
Just because the wizard and the Magues are both spellbook users and arcane casters that is not a reason to share a list. If it was Druid/cleric should also share a list.
Personally, I don't want to see the magus just use the wizard spell list. To me, his casting is closer to that of a bard than that of a wizard, regardless of the exact manner that he learns his spells. To me this means that the spell list ideally would include both divine and arcane spells. The idea that he should be able to learn all wizard spells is alright, but if you are going to go that route, just make a battle sorcerer or wizard who has the ability to wear armor. This class may be wizard-like, but it is not a wizard, anymore than it is a variant bard because it uses the 3/4th bab and 6 levels of spell casting.
Ya guys are not getting what I am sayin. The druid/cleric share the same mechnic yet do not share a list. summoner/bard/inquisitor also use the very same castin mechanic, but all use diffent list.
Just because the wizard and the Magues are both spellbook users and arcane casters that is not a reason to share a list. If it was Druid/cleric should also share a list.
And thus enters the fluff you handwaved. Their reasons to have different spell lists is the fact they are conceptualized as different casters. Magi do not differ from wizards even on that. From all those classes the only two that "deserve", by that logic, a different spell list are the sorcerer and the oracle, who I presume we can all take for granted that its list was merged with cleric/wizard's because otherwise it'd be a pain in the ass to maintain.
Which, by the way, is another reason why a Magus spell list should be the wizard spell list.Today, looking at the overall picture of "why do these guys have separate lists", the only thing that sustains the idea of a "magus spell list" is the "magus spell list" itself. Which is exactly what we are questioning here.
Throwing in my support for giving the wizard access to all 0-6th level Wizard spells, for all the reasons Laurefindel, Abraham, and Synapse have already stated. I rather like the idea of modified school specialization, as well. The limited spell list was the first thing that made me say wtf when I looked at the class--as of the mechanics and fluff presented for the Magus so far, there is no reason for the Magus to be unable to cast charm person . If the fluff or the mechanics were changed, the limited spell list might make more sense, but as it stands, it's just arbitrary and pointless.
I'm of the opinion the Magus should get schools of magic that he is proficient with. Almost like a reverse specialist wizard.
Say at level 1 he gets four schools of magic. He can cast these spells without any problems because those are the magical theories he's spent his time on.
The other schools of magic either cost more to cast, are higher level, or just can't be used. Then he can spend his magus arcana on learning the other schools too, representing the extra time he's spent on other theories of magic.
Although I don't think a separate spell list is a conceptual problem (in fact, it seems to be the rule rather than the exception for base classes to have separate spell lists even if they share casting mechanics and power sources), I too would prefer to see what you suggest. I might, however, have 6 or at least 5 out of the 8 schools of magic instead of 4. He is a 2/3 to 3/4 caster after all. Switching to schools would certainly enhance class build diversity.
In fact, the Magus could still have a separate spell list even if he could pick only 4-6 out of 8 schools of magic. Instead of subtracting Wizard spells, though, it may instead be desirable to add some combat buff spells - e.g. ones that raise BAB or act similarly to the Cleric combat buffs (would need careful balancing though).
