I've been reading about the magus recently and have some questions about it.
1.) Would casting a spell with spellstrike trigger an attack of opportunity, in the same way as normally casting a spell would?
2.) If a spell you cast that does 5d6 damage crits, what would the total damage be? 6d6 or 10d6?
3.) What would be the earliest lv you could get weapon specialization (assuming straight magus)? Would that be lv 5 or 7?
4.) To apply a special ability such as flaming burst to a weapon. Would the weapon need to be +2 before you can add the ability? Or is it when you get a +2 weapon you can pick abilities that would equal +2 (such as flaming and keen)?
5.) This may be a rhetorical question but why does dervish dance require a scimitar? Why not just a 1 handed sword?
Thinking of making a bladebound kensai magus and I'm not too sure which stat build I want to go for. This is for organized PFS play, so doubtful to get any house rules.
Pros:
Can use a katana
2-3 more feats than a dervish build
Higher weight limit, HP
Cons:
Lower AC, initiative, reflex save
Dex Dervish Build
Pros:
Higher AC, initiative, reflex save
Cons:
Scimitar required
2-3 less feats than str build
Lower weight limit, HP
The thing I like least about str build is the lower ac, while the thing about dex build is that it forces using a scimitar and less feats.
1) Yes, unless you are out of reach or successfully cast defensively.
2) 10d6 for such a spell. A spell crit is x2 regardless of the weapon used to deliver it.
3) 11: Magus levels don't count as fighter levels until 10 and no feat until 11 after that.
4) to apply any weapon property the weapon must be at least +1, if at that point you have +2 more available to distribute and the ability to add said property, you can
5) because it is specified, and as you are doing PFS it is RAW.
As for your builds, STR has nothing to do with HP.
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5.) This may be a rhetorical question but why does dervish dance require a scimitar? Why not just a 1 handed sword?
What's wrong with a scimitar? It's one of my favorite weapons in the game. Sure it has lower damage then say your larger one handed weapons, but it has a larger crit range. Not to mention that you can add Keen to a scimitar and have your crit range as 15-20.
Although my complete favorite weapon is the Elven curve blade, which is essentually (rule-wise), a two handed scimitar which can also be used with weapon finesse.
With that being said, most people who I have spoken with who are playing or building a magus are using the Aldori Dueling Sword, which can either be used as a single handed weapon, or a two handed weapon (if you have the exotic weapon proficiency). The idea behind using that weapon is to use it one handed when you use spell combat, or two handed when you spellstrike.
What's wrong with a scimitar?
Nothing wrong with the weapon or the idea really, From the standpoint of uniqueness I find that I get a little tired of seeing exactly the same character over and over (always a problem with PFS) because they are now by 1 DPR the best.
If you can get yourself an enchantment on the weapon, grab agile for a +1 cost from the Pathfinder Field Society Guide. The weapon will use Dex instead of Strength and you can use any type of weapon you want. Aldori, short-sword...
1) Yes, unless you are out of reach or successfully cast defensively.
2) 10d6 for such a spell. A spell crit is x2 regardless of the weapon used to deliver it.
3) 11: Magus levels don't count as fighter levels until 10 and no feat until 11 after that.
4) to apply any weapon property the weapon must be at least +1, if at that point you have +2 more available to distribute and the ability to add said property, you can
As for your builds, STR has nothing to do with HP.
Thanks for answering my questions.
3) A kensai gains fighter training at lv 7. Magus lv - 3 = fighter lv. I was wondering if you could get it with the lv 5 bonus combat feat, but I guess that's a no.
4) Alright so if you have a +3 weapon you could use any number of abilities as long as the total cost adds up to +3, correct?
True, the builds I've seen str has more hp to make up for the lower ac I guess. But that can be changed of course.
What's wrong with a scimitar? It's one of my favorite weapons in the game. Sure it has lower damage then say your larger one handed weapons, but it has a larger crit range. Not to mention that you can add Keen to a scimitar and have your crit range as 15-20.
Nothing is wrong with a scimitar, but as said everyone uses it and I just like katanas more and think they are cooler (yes lame). The 2 weapons have the same crit range (18-20/x2), and are almost exactly the same stat wise. Except the scimitar does d6 dmg and has no special while the katana does d8 dmg and has the deadly special.
If you can get yourself an enchantment on the weapon, grab agile for a +1 cost from the Pathfinder Field Society Guide. The weapon will use Dex instead of Strength and you can use any type of weapon you want. Aldori, short-sword...
Thanks, I'll need to look into getting that book. My only worry is that can you add that to a black blade?
Ok I got another question, how much would it cost to apply agile to a +1 weapon? The field guide lists the cost as "+1 bonus", and the core rule book (pg 468) lists that as costing 2,000g, so I assume it would cost 2,000g to add agile to a +1 weapon?
(just answered my own question didn't I?)
A quote from the Field Guide
"The following magic weapon qualities can be placed on any type of magical melee weapon."
So I would assume that you can indeed add agile to a sentient black blade.
Ok I got another question, how much would it cost to apply agile to a +1 weapon? The field guide lists the cost as "+1 bonus", and the core rule book (pg 468) lists that as costing 2,000g, so I assume it would cost 2,000g to add agile to a +1 weapon?
(just answered my own question didn't I?)A quote from the Field Guide
"The following magic weapon qualities can be placed on any type of magical melee weapon."So I would assume that you can indeed add agile to a sentient black blade.
before adding an ability bonus to a weapon it must have a +1 enhancement. If you were to then add another +1 ability (like agile) this makes its effective bonus +2, so you would need to pay the difference from your existing +2 to +2, or to make i +2 from the start, pay that entire cost.
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Ok I got another question, how much would it cost to apply agile to a +1 weapon? The field guide lists the cost as "+1 bonus", and the core rule book (pg 468) lists that as costing 2,000g, so I assume it would cost 2,000g to add agile to a +1 weapon?
(just answered my own question didn't I?)A quote from the Field Guide
"The following magic weapon qualities can be placed on any type of magical melee weapon."So I would assume that you can indeed add agile to a sentient black blade.
a +1 agile weapon cost 8k + weapon cost.
Technically black blades cant be augmented, but in a home game maybe it could be allowed. they have a weird Ego progression that doesnt work right if you allow it to be enhanced permanently
if its for a ome brew ask for a feat or arcana to add agily to the list of available arcane pool upgrades
a +1 agile weapon cost 8k + weapon cost.
Technically black blades cant be augmented, but in a home game maybe it could be allowed. they have a weird Ego progression that doesnt work right if you allow it to be enhanced permanently
if its for a home brew ask for a feat or arcana to add agily to the list of available arcane pool upgrades
Damn that's what I was afraid of, thanks though. Unfortunately it's not a home game otherwise I don't think there would be a problem.
So for a bladebound magus it's either
STR: can choose any bladed weapon you want
DEX: forced to use a scimitar
a +1 agile weapon cost 8k + weapon cost.
Technically black blades cant be augmented, but in a home game maybe it could be allowed. they have a weird Ego progression that doesnt work right if you allow it to be enhanced permanently
if its for a home brew ask for a feat or arcana to add agily to the list of available arcane pool upgrades
Damn that's what I was afraid of, thanks though. Unfortunately it's not a home game otherwise I don't think there would be a problem.
So for a bladebound magus it's either
STR: can choose any bladed weapon you want
DEX: forced to use a scimitar
Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
Basically dervish dance or whatever it's called makes scimitar the "natural" choice for a dexterity build, so much so that it really, really weakens you to do anything else, since with any other weapon you don't get dexterity to damage (which is a big deal).
I've heard there's a weapon enchant called "agile" I think that lets you use any weapon and get the dexterity benefits, but I don't know where it's from, and it's not on pfsrd which means at least my groups won't really let it.
I've heard there's a weapon enchant called "agile" I think that lets you use any weapon and get the dexterity benefits, but I don't know where it's from, and it's not on pfsrd which means at least my groups won't really let it.
From the recently released Pathfinder Field Society Guide. It is official and totally legit - I bought the guide just for that listing.
http://paizo.com/store/games/roleplayingGames/p/pathfinderRPG/paizo/pathfin derChronicles/v5748btpy8mfq
Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
Basically dervish dance or whatever it's called makes scimitar the "natural" choice for a dexterity build, so much so that it really, really weakens you to do anything else, since with any other weapon you don't get dexterity to damage (which is a big deal).
I've heard there's a weapon enchant called "agile" I think that lets you use any weapon and get the dexterity benefits, but I don't know where it's from, and it's not on pfsrd which means at least my groups won't really let it.
Agile is part of what this thread is about. As for Dervish, I'm aware of how awesome it is, but to say that not picking it weakens your character makes it sound to me like the feat is broken. If my magus wants to use a dagger then he can. He is not forced to use anything, and when any combo is that far and away better than the others something is wrong. (Personally, I think the dervish feat should either be region specific or apply to more than just a scimitar, preferably the latter).
Ok I got another question, how much would it cost to apply agile to a +1 weapon? The field guide lists the cost as "+1 bonus", and the core rule book (pg 468) lists that as costing 2,000g, so I assume it would cost 2,000g to add agile to a +1 weapon?
(just answered my own question didn't I?)
Nice try, but not quite.
The reason they list it as +1 cost instead of 2,000g is because each enchantment costs more. While a +1 weapon costs 2,000g (on top of the base weapon cost and masterwork cost), a +2 weapon costs 8,000g. So adding agility to a +1 weapon is now costs the same as a +2 weapon, that is 8,000g. Since you've already paid for/own the first +1, it will cost 6,000g (8000-2000). If you were to add agility to a +2 weapon, it would cost 10,000g (18000-8000).
Hope that helps :)
Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
In the description of dervish dance it it says it only works with a scimitar which rather sucks.
Thanks everyone for your help.
2) 10d6 for such a spell. A spell crit is x2 regardless of the weapon used to deliver it.Just need to point something out: If you crit with a spellstrike from a spell that deals 5d6 damage, the result is not 10d6. The result is 5d6 X2. There's a difference.
10d6 means you roll a d6 10 times (or roll 10 of them, etc)
5d6 X2 means you only roll 5d6, but double the result. This is the correct way to calculate the critical damage.
And yes, this can (and generally will) result in different numbers. The calculation of 5d6X2 has a different set of potential mathematical results due to less random chance being involved.
Nope.
A critical hit means that you roll your damage more than once, with all your usual bonuses, and add the rolls together.
Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
In the description of dervish dance it it says it only works with a scimitar which rather sucks.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Whoops, forgot my [sarcasm] tags.
2) 10d6 for such a spell. A spell crit is x2 regardless of the weapon used to deliver it.Just need to point something out: If you crit with a spellstrike from a spell that deals 5d6 damage, the result is not 10d6. The result is 5d6 X2. There's a difference.
...
And yes, this can (and generally will) result in different numbers. The calculation of 5d6X2 has a different set of potential mathematical results due to less random chance being involved.
I'm no mathematician, but I'm fairly certain that 5d6x2 is pretty much the same as 10d6. 17.5 x 2 = 35.
The reason 5d6 * 2 is different than 10d6 is the probability curve. 5d6 * 2 is swingier than 10d6, in that a single d6 roll is counted as two. 10d6 will come out to the average 17.5 more often than 5d6. It's the same principle behind casinos - the more dice you roll, the closer to the average you get.
Agile is part of what this thread is about. As for Dervish, I'm aware of how awesome it is, but to say that not picking it weakens your character makes it sound to me like the feat is broken. If my magus wants to use a dagger then he can. He is not forced to use anything, and when any combo is that far and away better than the others something is wrong. (Personally, I think the dervish feat should either be region specific or apply to more than just a scimitar, preferably the latter).Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
Basically dervish dance or whatever it's called makes scimitar the "natural" choice for a dexterity build, so much so that it really, really weakens you to do anything else, since with any other weapon you don't get dexterity to damage (which is a big deal).
I've heard there's a weapon enchant called "agile" I think that lets you use any weapon and get the dexterity benefits, but I don't know where it's from, and it's not on pfsrd which means at least my groups won't really let it.
So power attack is broken because everyone who doesn't take it is weaker right?
Anyway i also wish that instead of the dervish dance there was a (combat) feat that allowed you to do the same with any one handed martial or exotic weapon.
Go buy good old hungarian M.A.G.U.S. rpg. Lots of way better with this dnd thing....
Memorizing the worst thing ever made!!! I need manapoints!!!!
I'm playing around with rebuilding my character to include Agile rather than spending the Feat and Skill Points on Dervish Dance.
I haven't done it yet so it may not be enough value, but having a +1 add on to a weapon that lets you use DEX for damage with any finesse-able weapon rather than just the scimitar is nice.
I'm thinking the Aldori dueling sword + agile, plus ADS mastery and sword scion for some fun numbers.
Agile is part of what this thread is about. As for Dervish, I'm aware of how awesome it is, but to say that not picking it weakens your character makes it sound to me like the feat is broken. If my magus wants to use a dagger then he can. He is not forced to use anything, and when any combo is that far and away better than the others something is wrong. (Personally, I think the dervish feat should either be region specific or apply to more than just a scimitar, preferably the latter).Hmm, I've never seen the rule saying a dex magus has to use a scimitar. Is that an errata?
EDIT: That would ruin my scorpion whip blackblade Magus build! 15 foot spellstrike has its benefits.
Basically dervish dance or whatever it's called makes scimitar the "natural" choice for a dexterity build, so much so that it really, really weakens you to do anything else, since with any other weapon you don't get dexterity to damage (which is a big deal).
I've heard there's a weapon enchant called "agile" I think that lets you use any weapon and get the dexterity benefits, but I don't know where it's from, and it's not on pfsrd which means at least my groups won't really let it.
So power attack is broken because everyone who doesn't take it is weaker right?
Anyway i also wish that instead of the dervish dance there was a (combat) feat that allowed you to do the same with any one handed martial or exotic weapon.
There are plenty of options as viable as power attack, but it is a very good one. It's still not near the "oh my god maguses have to use the scimitar or else its WRONG!" realm.