|
Unless he's a staffed magus of course.
The way spell strike works high threat weapons are superior to high multiplier weapons. Unlike, the rapier, the scimitar can be wielded in both hands if the magus is strength based and wants to deal some extra damage without spell combat.
And if the magus is dexterity based, Dervish Dance makes the scimitar superior to the rapier for obvious reasons.
Unlike a stupid fighter like Valeros, even the iconic magus Seltiyiel knows what's the best weapon for his class.
Because the Urumi exists with 1d8 damage and 18-20 crit?
And if the magus is dexterity based, Dervish Dance makes the scimitar superior to the rapier for obvious reasons.
While that's true applying the RAW, as a DM I might consider interpreting the RAI of Dervish Dance in a way that forbids simultaneously using the feat and performing the somatic component of a spell - I mean, Dervish Dance is supposed to be some kind of weird dance battle style, I imagine it all about balance (that's why no shield is allowed) and when you gesticulate with one arm, it should be even worse than having a shield
(but oh well, it's no gamebreaker after all)
Because the Urumi exists with 1d8 damage and 18-20 crit?Is that worth the feat? I guess it's nice for half elves and certain traits, though.
I agree, d6 -> d8 is no good deal for a whole feat
Because the Urumi exists with 1d8 damage and 18-20 crit?Is that worth the feat? I guess it's nice for half elves and certain traits, though.
Is weapon spec worth a feat? :)
TBH, I'd only take it as a halfelf too, but functionally it's Weapon Spec
|
|
While that's true applying the RAW, as a DM I might consider interpreting the RAI of Dervish Dance in a way that forbids simultaneously using the feat and performing the somatic component of a spell - I mean, Dervish Dance is supposed to be some kind of weird dance battle style, I imagine it all about balance (that's why no shield is allowed) and when you gesticulate with one arm, it should be even worse than having a shield(but oh well, it's no gamebreaker after all)
Benefit: When wielding a scimitar with one hand, you can use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on melee attack and damage rolls. You treat the scimitar as a one-handed piercing weapon for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a duelist’s precise strike ability). The scimitar must be for a creature of your size. You cannot use this feat if you are carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand.
What RAI? You cannot wield a weapon or a shield in your off hand, but are free to use it. There's nothing stopping characters from wielding a flag in that hand to gain the benefits of the flagbearer feat.
After the change that limits the spell crit to x2 and the reprinted version of Dervish Dance - the Scimitar is the very best weapon for a magus unless you somehow gain class features or racial abilties that give a bonus to another weapon.
Yeah... whips, battle poi, falcatas, aldori dueling swords, bastard swords, flails, and probably other stuff all have their reasons to use them. One might also happen to be a DEX-focused character WHO ISN`T FROM QADIRA and thus isn`t likely to take Dervish Dance for that combo.
|
|
Yeah... whips, battle poi, falcatas, aldori dueling swords, bastard swords, flails, and probably other stuff all have their reasons to use them. One might also happen to be a DEX-focused character WHO ISN`T FROM QADIRA and thus isn`t likely to take Dervish Dance for that combo.
Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, Perform (dance) 2 ranks, proficient with scimitar
No mention of Qadira.
All the old regional feats were reprinted in the newest Inner Sea book, without the regional qualification. Good idea.
`Dervish` still seems associated with Sarenrae and Qadira/Kelesh in Golarion, so anybody reasonably engaged in the setting would seem to continue with that association... which is a reason why a non-Qadiran Magus might not take it. Obviously, some Maguses could travel to Qadira solely to learn their fighting style, but that doesn`t equate to EVERY Magus.
Was it really stripped of any connection to Qadira/Sarenrae? 8-O I don`t think it ever had a de-jure `Pre-Req` of Qadiran background, but that was clearly the setting of Feat. I mean, otherwise why shouldn`t it be a generic `select one 1H weapon to use DEX for ATT and DMG` Feat? If so, I find it somewhat disturbing, given I bought the Qadira Companion, but it`s content is now being stealth `Errata`d` not even for mechanical purposes, but simply negating it`s fluff.
Regardless, there`s plenty of other weapons Maguses can use without being embarassingly bad at their job.
TBH, I'd only take it as a halfelf too, but functionally it's Weapon Spec
Half Weapon Specialisation, actually. Average for a d6 is 3.5 and it is 4.5 for a d8. So it is an increase of 1 on average.
Probably not worth a feat for most classes without bonus feats or races without an racial option.
A scimitar is probably the best option for a magus, even without Dervish Dance, as the Magus benefits from the higher threat range while still being able to two-hand the scimitar for extra oomph.
There are lots of reasons for a magus not to use a scimitar, and if I played one I doubt I would use one.
"Scimitars are for GIRLS!"
"I prefer the finesse of the rapier. What a savage weapon the scimitar is."
ETC.
There are lots of reasons for a magus not to use a scimitar, and if I played one I doubt I would use one.
"Scimitars are for GIRLS!"
"I prefer the finesse of the rapier. What a savage weapon the scimitar is."
ETC.
So, sour grapes? ;]
Fluff, Roleplay, choose one.
|
|
can someone explain to me the connections between a urumi and halfelves?
the urumi in the original campaign setting has the ultra great old fashioned 3.5 style spike chain ability to threaten both adjacent and reach at the same time but the Adventurers Armory increases the threat range but does not list anything about reach/special nor does the errata. it gives no text, just a point towards the cs. i was under the impression that it lost the special reach. was i wrong about that?
APG has an option for half-elves to gain exotic wpn proficiency instead of the standard skill focus bonus feat.
TBH, I'd only take it as a halfelf too, but functionally it's Weapon SpecHalf Weapon Specialisation, actually. Average for a d6 is 3.5 and it is 4.5 for a d8. So it is an increase of 1 on average.
Whoops, I thought WS was +1 damage. Shows how much I play fighters. Thanks.
Also, the Urumi / Half-Elf connection is that Half-Elves can become proficient with one exotic or martial weapon for free. Urumi is an exotic weapon with nice stats, so a half-elven magus wouldn't do bad to select it.
`Dervish` still seems associated with Sarenrae and Qadira/Kelesh in Golarion, so anybody reasonably engaged in the setting would seem to continue with that association... which is a reason why a non-Qadiran Magus might not take it. Obviously, some Maguses could travel to Qadira solely to learn their fighting style, but that doesn`t equate to EVERY Magus.
Was it really stripped of any connection to Qadira/Sarenrae? 8-O I don`t think it ever had a de-jure `Pre-Req` of Qadiran background, but that was clearly the setting of Feat. I mean, otherwise why shouldn`t it be a generic `select one 1H weapon to use DEX for ATT and DMG` Feat? If so, I find it somewhat disturbing, given I bought the Qadira Companion, but it`s content is now being stealth `Errata`d` not even for mechanical purposes, but simply negating it`s fluff.
Regardless, there`s plenty of other weapons Maguses can use without being embarassingly bad at their job.
Agreed. If you are starting the Kingmaker AP your character could take the Sword Scion trait and focus on the long sword or Aldori dueling sword due to the +1 trait bonus to hit.
Because magic longswords are more commonly found than scimitars?
Kingmaker Spoiler!
|
|
Because magic longswords are more commonly found than scimitars?
Kingmaker Spoiler! ** spoiler omitted **
Since Briar is a key part of this adventure, you should consider changing it from [B]bastard swordinto some other weapon if no one in your campaign uses swords - the point is to give the PCs a weapon they can use, not to punish them for deciding to build characters who focus on other types of weapons.
Also, of all classes, the magus is the most able to get a vorpal weapon on the fly.
** spoiler omitted **Because magic longswords are more commonly found than scimitars?
Kingmaker Spoiler! ** spoiler omitted **
|
Style.
Also, the magus is a very feet starved class so Dervish Dance may not find space in the build. And I think a dex heavy build is kind of iffy if you plan to play at levels higher than 11 and use full plate.
That said a scimitar is a solid weapon choice, but not I think so strong that you are clearly wrong to use a longsword.
Unless he's a staffed magus of course.
The way spell strike works high threat weapons are superior to high multiplier weapons. Unlike, the rapier, the scimitar can be wielded in both hands if the magus is strength based and wants to deal some extra damage without spell combat.
And if the magus is dexterity based, Dervish Dance makes the scimitar superior to the rapier for obvious reasons.
Unlike a stupid fighter like Valeros, even the iconic magus Seltiyiel knows what's the best weapon for his class.
Oh and btw our iconic Magus is using a longsword, at least it was statted as a longsword in the AP. On the other hand he wears leather armor, its a rather crappy choice for EK and magus.
|
|
Style.
Also, the magus is a very feet starved class so Dervish Dance may not find space in the build. And I think a dex heavy build is kind of iffy if you plan to play at levels higher than 11 and use full plate.
That said a scimitar is a solid weapon choice, but not I think so strong that you are clearly wrong to use a longsword.
I'm loving the scimitar and because the Magus is so feat starved I like the idea of a level dip of fighter at 2 to get Dervish asap for that pure Dex build.
Scimitars give more crits. Spells can crit with the same crit range as the weapon on a Magus. There are spell critical feats in Ultimate Magic.
From a mechanical perspective, no, there is no reason NOT to use a Scimitar.
A power-based build can do fairly well with a rapier, I thought?
Scimitars can be great if you're looking specifically at damage and critical range; however, without even going into the expanded material, PH has certainly streamlines many weapons for additional abilities like:
sickle: trip (I always love tripping)
Flail: Disarm, Trip (both useful)
Trident: Brace (because you never know just what your DM can throw at you)
Whip: non-lethal, reach, trip
On top of these special abilities, daggers are now both useful for melee and as thrown weapons, and with can be hidden in a weapons check using slight of hand...food for thought anyways. Kukri's also have that 18-20 crit range although I generally prefer the dagger idea because a few points in slight of hand can take you a long way.
This always depends on the build you want to make, but I felt there were a few extra options to think
|
|
i dig str/int based blackblade maguseseses so scimitar is great (or great scimitar for d8 damage). plus if you have a multiple touch spell in the weapon or hold the charge on a spell you can 2 hand power attack with furious focus+arcane strike+blackblade extra damage for tons of hurt that all multiplies on a crit
Why spend 2 feats to finesse a scimitar when you can finesse a rapier for only one? The threat range is the same. And you also aren't required to have 2 ranks in Perform.
Dervish dance adds Dex to Damage.
Saving the need for an extra stat by using dervish dance is nice, although if you want to pick up power attack you still need some str anyway (unless there's a way to make a scimitar light for piranha strike?). It depends a little on what level your character is starting at as well. As pointed out if you're close to getting heavy armor dex isn't so important, but when you're level 1 with a chain shirt an extra point or two of dex mod is very welcome.
Piranha Strike is for light weapons only. But then again, you only need a 13 STR, which on high point buy or rolling is not that hard to get. But, if you build a DEX based guy, you won't need the heavy armor. Get a Mithril chain shirt and you have the same AC if you focus on dex as a guy in full plate. Or more, depending.
|
|
Why spend 2 feats to finesse a scimitar when you can finesse a rapier for only one? The threat range is the same. And you also aren't required to have 2 ranks in Perform.Dervish Dance isn't just finesse. It's Finesse, adding Dex to damage as well. And you just can't do that with a rapier.
I love DD but how else are people getting extra damage?? Power Attack?? Enlighten me on the ways to pull bonus damage...i understand stacking spell damage on top on melee damage but thats all dice damage, where are all the big solid numbers coming from for a DD build???
Fine, fine! You've convinced me. You can have a scimitar.
But you're still not playing a Drow!
|
If you focus your Magus on the scimitar, you will also be able to take advantage of Flame Blade (through UMD), which basically gives you a scimitar that does touch attacks.
Note however that your STR or DEX modifier to damage will not be added to the Flame Blade and neither will your Power Attack bonus.
Fine, fine! You've convinced me. You can have a scimitar.
But you're still not playing a Drow!
Don´t worry the build prevents dual wielding them anyways.
Don´t worry the build prevents dual wielding them anyways.Fine, fine! You've convinced me. You can have a scimitar.
But you're still not playing a Drow!
The build prevents you to attack with a Drow in each hand?
I think that what makes a falcata work for martial characters is the damage boost provided by feats in combination with the x3 crit. Since spell combat spells do not get the weapon's multiplier, the scimitar is still better if you are using spellstrikes with things like shocking grasp, but their would need to be a DPR comparison because you only have so many shocking grasps per day.
I think that what makes a falcata work for martial characters is the damage boost provided by feats in combination with the x3 crit. Since spell combat spells do not get the weapon's multiplier, the scimitar is still better if you are using spellstrikes with things like shocking grasp, but their would need to be a DPR comparison because you only have so many shocking grasps per day.I was thinking the character went with Str instead of Dex for melee combat, then adding in buff magic/effects (the Magus probably doesn't adventure alone) in addition to an eventual burst weapon. I haven't sat down with the spreadsheets to figure out if this is an optimal build, but if I have to do something like that in order to feel effective then it is time to find a new hobby.
Sure. A falcata is a decent weapon in general. It just doesn't synergize with the spell damage as well as a keen scimitar, boasting a crit range of 15-20. The scimitar's physical damage is almost a secondary consideration, when it can rock 10d6 lightning damage.