Hi guys, please excuse any mistakes in the build that I am presenting here. Thanks a lot in advance for your support!
I would very much like to receive advice for a DEX MAGUS in a homebrew campaign on potential tactical choices in combat and beyond for a:
Swashbuckler (INSPIRED BLADE) 1 / Magus (HEXCRAFTER) 4 / STARGAZER Prestige Class 1 / EVANGELIST Prestige Class (Magus) 10.
I know of the rulings in the FAQ on the DEX MAGUS feat incompatibility (e.g. slashing / fencing grace) and I do NOT want to TAKE DERVISH DANCE and will RELY ON ITEMS to receive DEX to DAMAGE. I also know about the FAQ on the incompatibility of Magus Arcana Deeds with the Swashbuckler Deeds so I do NOT INTEND TO TAKE PRECISE STRIKE etc.
So I HAVE TO TAKE the HEXCRAFTER archetype for the Magus due to the HOMEBREW campaign so no other archetypes are possible. Everything else is not certain yet and I am positive but not sure about the dipping and the evangelist route.
I HAVE TO USE a RAPIER due to the HOMEBREW campaign as I am part of an order so except of natural weapons due to polymorph (e.g. via alter self) effects in place no other weapons will find much use for this character.
--------- B U I L D -------------------------------------
Race - is fixed already so no change possible: Homebrew race - SMALL size
Attributes - are fixed already so no change possible: Str 8, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 8, Cha 9
->>> FIRST QUESTION: WHICH ATTRIBUTES WOULD YOU INCREASE ON LVL 4,8,12, 16? ********************
Traits - are fixed already so no change possible: Magical Knack (Magus), Campaign Trait (Homebrew)
So the build looks as follows up to LVL 6:
Level 1: Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) 1:
- Inspired Panache based on INT and CHA but only regain Panache on Crits
- Inspired Finesse gives Weapon Finesse (only for Rapier) and Weapon focus (Rapier)
- Deeds give Derring-Do, Dodging Panache, Opportune Parry and Riposte
- FEAT Lvl 1: ADDITIONAL TRAITs to receive WAYANG SPELLHUNTER (Shocking Grasp) and ANOTHER TRAIT that I have NOT CHOSEN YET
->>> SECOND QUESTION: SHOULD I CHOOSE SG or Frostbite for WAYANG SH? ***************************
->>> THIRD QUESTION: WHICH FOURTH TRAIT SHOULD I CHOOSE? *************************************
Level 2: Magus (Hexcrafter) 1
- Spell Combat
- Arcane Pool
- Curse spells in spell list
Level 3: Magus (Hexcrafter) 2
- Spellstrike
- FEAT Lvl 3: RIME SPELL or Combat Reflexes
->>> FOURTH QUESTION: Is it better to choose ‘Combat Reflexes’ to be more flexible to use the ‘opportune parry’ of the Swashbuckler or should I take ‘Rime Spell’ to be able to use the ‘Frostbite’ + ‘Rime Spell’ combo? *************************************
Level 4: Magus (Hexcrafter) 3
- Magus arcana: Arcane Accuracy OR Wand Wielder
->>> FIFTH QUESTION: Is it better to choose “Arcane Accuracy” to also benefit from this arcana beyond my attacks when I ‘opportune riposte’ OR should I rather go towards ‘Wand Wielder” to be able to spell combat more often during days with many fights? *************************************
Level 5: Magus (Hexcrafter) 4
- Hex Magus: Hexcrafter levels treated as Witch levels for hexes and one Witch Hex >> “Slumber”
- FEAT Lvl 5: Extra Magus arcana -> Hex Arcana > “Flight”
Level 6: Stargazer Prestige Class 1
- Guiding light: Effectively I get a ‚Familiar‘ where the one Stargazer level counts as one Wizard level but does not scale with Magus levels which means that HP, saves, skills etc. of the familiar will scale but not the other abilities (natural armor, speak with master etc.)
- Mystery Magic (hex): Effectively this is a Witch hex that I get where I can also choose the Shaman Class Hexes plus the Shaman Heaven hexes but the best part is that the Stargazer prestige class level stacks with my Magus Hexcrafter class levels to determine the level for the effects of hexes. The hex I wanted to choose is a Shaman hex -> “Shape Shift”
Shapeshift (Su): The shaman transforms herself into another form for a number of minutes per day equal to her level, as alter self. This duration does not need to be consecutive, but must be spent in 1-minute increments. Changing form (including changing back) is a standard action that doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. At 8th level, this ability works as beast shape I. At 12th level, this ability works as beast shape II. At 16th level, this ability works as beast shape III. At 20th level, this ability works as beast shape IV.
I hope to be able to use the ‘alter self’ ability more often and polymorph into a small size humanoids to receive +2 Dex and potentially further natural attacks.
->>> SIXTH QUESTION: Do you believe I should choose another hex from the Shaman hex list? *************************************
Thanks a lot for your advice!!
Best, Noral
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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(1) Your attack stat, i.e. dex.
(2) Depends on your level. At low level shocking grasp is better, at higher level frostbite.
(3) Check this guide.
(4) Rime Spell. Combat Reflexes is better with a reach weapon, as you can only riposte once per round anyway.
(5) Accuracy. You can use spell combat with cantrips so you don't need a wand for that.
(6) Yes. Beast Shape is already on your spell list, so you don't need a hex for that (also, the shapeshift you want is really Monstrous Physique, since in animal form you can neither use your weapon nor cast spells).
HTH!