I think it would be be good approach to give the Magus appropriate spells/buffs to deal with his BAB and general power issues. That would also fit in spirit with the class. We can let ourselves be inspired by the Clerical buffs that make him (possibly) better than a fighter at combat when prepared: Divine Favor, Divine Power and Divine/Righteous Might. Converting to arcane versions: Arcane Favor, Arcane Power and Arcane Might might be a bit too overpowered, but they can at least serve as inspirations.
Heck, why not have BAB raising spells?
Example:
Lesser Arcane Warrior: Raises BAB of the caster by 1 point for 1 round per level. (Could be a 1st level spell.)
Arcane Warrior: Raises BAB of the caster by 2 points for 1 round per level. (Could be a 2nd level spell.)
Greater Arcane Warrior: Raises BAB of the caster by 3 points for 1 round per level. (Could be a 3rd level spell.)
These spells would not stack, but would provide everything that a higher BAB provides while they last - including extra iterative attacks if applicable.
Alternatively we could have Arcane Warrior I to Arcane Warrior V with corresponding BAB increases, but that might be too strong, since the class might then outshine the fighter at higher levels.
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I think the biggest thing that makes full BAB attractive (just to be clear I do not want the Magus to have it) is feat and prestige class qualification. Using a spell to gain a +1-3 to hit and possibly an extra attack (which would usually miss) isn't all that useful to me.
I'd much rather see buffs in Ultimate Magic that give the Magus more flexibility and/or more interesting powers.
I think the biggest thing that makes full BAB attractive (just to be clear I do not want the Magus to have it) is feat and prestige class qualification. Using a spell to gain a +1-3 to hit and possibly an extra attack (which would usually miss) isn't all that useful to me.
I'd much rather see buffs in Ultimate Magic that give the Magus more flexibility and/or more interesting powers.
Oh, I agree that other buffs/spells are more interesting than a simple numerical increase to BAB. The point of the spells, however, is to enable the Magus to temporarily get a higher BAB (but not the same as a fighter) and thus an extra attack (at some levels) and a higher chance to hit at the cost of expending a spell without actually giving him a higher BAB progression (and all that comes with it).
Anyway, it is just an example of spells that could be added. My point is that as a 3/4 spellcaster class, it is feasible and desirable to solve many of the perceived problems of the class through spells - be they numerical buffs or other ones.
This is a really bad idea. First, having spells raise BAB opens up all kinds of problems, especially spells of levels 1-3 (which are available in both potion and wand form). Second, "fixing" the "problem" with spells (assuming that such a problem actually exists) means that anyone who wants to solve the problem must take those spells; this is called a "spell tax", and in general mechanical taxes on character concepts are to be avoided. Third, as w0nkothesane notes, one of the primary benefits of having higher BAB is to use it for prerequisites for various feats and prestige classes, which the spells don't help with.
Heck, why not have BAB raising spells?
How are you going to make it good enough that the slot-starved magus will want to use it, but not make a wand of it standard issue for every character with Use Magic Device and decent charisma?
Heck, why not have BAB raising spells?How are you going to make it good enough that the slot-starved magus will want to use it, but not make a wand of it standard issue for every character with Use Magic Device and decent charisma?
+1.
I see where the OP is coming from, I just feel full BAB is too valuable to give away so easily...and especially in such an abusable form.
==Aelryinth
Yeah, Bad, Bad, really Bad idea.