My thoughts on the revised Magus

[Pendagast]

+1 on spell pool being int + level.

i also think magus needs more than just 6th level spells, maybe 7th or 8th level spells (lets not forget at high level that save dcs are based off spell level)

[Ardenup]

A 30int plus 6th level spells SHOULD get through enough,

maybe an Arcana to boost save dc would be nice ;)

[LazarX]

YuenglingDragon wrote:

I agree in part with your comparison to the Inquisitor. But I also recognize that the Inquisitor is one of the most bad ass classes in the game. I found mine to be insanely awesome.

But I don't know why you're assuming that the Magus is only using a 10d6 damage spell. Why is he using a level 2 spell while the Inquisitor uses a level 4 for Divine Power? Now I think it much more liekly that the Magus also uses a level 4 slot for something like an Empowered Scorching Ray for 18 d6. It'll hit almost any enemy on anything but a 1 and do an average of 63 damage.

Empowering a Scorching Ray does not increase the amount of dice you get to roll it just adds a 1.5x multiplier to the result.

[LazarX]

Ardenup wrote:

A 30int plus 6th level spells SHOULD get through enough,

maybe an Arcana to boost save dc would be nice ;)

Or just take spell focus feats. The capstone ability DOES have the option to boost spell dc's as the result of a melee crit.

[the Haunted Jester]

Does anyone else find the Magus a little overpowered???

Having 2 high saves is a bit much for this class considering that not even the wizard has that. This class breaks the wizard and leaves no reason to play one. Breaking it down between separate areas will hopefully get my viewpoint across:

Skills:
Giving a Magus access to the Fly skill or to Use Magic Device brings unbalance to the pre-existing classes. The skill Fly should be removed to reflect the sacrifice the Magus has had to undergo in his martial training, and the Use Magic Device skill should be removed for the reason that not even Wizards have access to that skill. The Magus description portrays itself as a Wizard with philosophies in both the Arcane and the Martial world never a full master of both.

Spells Per Day:
I find it somewhat sad that the Magus has access to a higher number of spells per day than the Wizard who dedicates his life to the philosophy of the Arcane world. The number of Spells Per Day should be lowered.

Medium/ Heavy Armor Class Proficiency:
The proficiency in Medium armor without incurring the spell casting penalties from armor I can understand its intended feel. Allowing the Magus to don heavy armor without incurring the spell casting penalties breaks the class and the downgrades the Wizard in the number of accessible options for the Wizard class.

With these things being said I do like the Magus Arcana ability and find that to be an interesting aspect of the class. I also like the Pool Spell ability and find that mechanic to be very interesting and versatile.

I hope my views are well received and shed some light into the flaws of this class.

[Ardenup]

Surely good sir you jest!

Most of the playtesting is showing the magus to blow hard before level 8.
While I can certainly agree that casting in heavy armor may be overdoing it the magus is not great at his job.

Both the Arcane Duelist and Inquisitor outdo him in dpr all day long, unless he's novaing and he can only manage that at high levels.
While he CAN utility cast via spellpool, he doesn't have enough points to do it at all (since heneeds them all for Wpn enhancements and combat arcanas)

Most common shortfalls seem to be needs a deeper spellpool, needs arcane strike to stack and needs another Arcana or 2.

[the Haunted Jester]

They seem to have a better shot than the Wizard does. The impression felt across the boards is that no one is comparing the class the main original top dog casting class, the Wizard. the Magus trumps the Wizard in so many ways that it questions the act of playing one. It feels like the beginning of power gaming in the pathfinder system with some of the alternative classes being made. Am I the only one that sees this or feels this way!?!

[Abraham spalding]

the Haunted Jester wrote:

They seem to have a better shot than the Wizard does. The impression felt across the boards is that no one is comparing the class the main original top dog casting class, the Wizard. the Magus trumps the Wizard in so many ways that it questions the act of playing one. It feels like the beginning of power gaming in the pathfinder system with some of the alternative classes being made. Am I the only one that sees this or feels this way!?!

Probably -- I like the wizard better for a pure caster. After all having more spells of higher levels sooner is always better than getting them later if you are a straight caster.

Now if you want an eldritch knight or mage/warrior type then the magus does fine -- however again I wouldn't say better than an eldritch knight, as full access to wizard spells is worth a lot in my book.

[the Haunted Jester]

It just seems that there is a lack of focus on game balance when it come to the Magus. It almost feels that should the Magus go through as it then the Wizard would need a major overhaul to recapture the epio intensity of the orginal casting class.

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

the Haunted Jester wrote:

It just seems that there is a lack of focus on game balance when it come to the Magus. It almost feels that should the Magus go through as it then the Wizard would need a major overhaul to recapture the epio intensity of the orginal casting class.

You are really overstating the power of this class; remember, the Magus doesn't get any spell above 6th-level, while the wizard will be tossing out 7th, 8th, and 9th-level spells.

My experience is early, yet, but at low levels the Magus plays a lot like a sub-optimal fighter, not a wizard replacement.

[Abraham spalding]

with my play of the magus I've found he comes out about where the inquisitor does in most respects. Unless you are rolling your stats and you just drop three 18's on the start up it isn't going to outshine anyone.