Magus, Spellstrike and Melee weapon

[weaselmcguff]

I am trying to clear this up seems there is a disagreement on what it it should be.

I have a magus Lvl4, with spell strike, i use a scimitar, and going to use my arcane pool to grant a +1 enhancement bonus to my scimitar, I am at a +8 to hit with weapon, I also use arcane accuracy which is a +4 so my total +to hit is 1+8+4 = 13 to hit, with Keen on scimitar my number to crit confirm is a 15-20.

Now i have applied my range touch spell to the weapon. When I swing to hit am I still at +13 or +11?

When I hit with my weapon and it crits i do 1d6 (weapon damage) +5 damage(dervish dance and weapon finesse) Plus range touch spell Scorching Ray of 4D6, Since I critted and confirmed I do ((1d6)+5)*2+(4d6)*2.

Is this all correct?

[Weables]

well, first of all, the fact that you have a +1 keen weapon at level 4 seems...strangely odd to me. looks like you're in some kind of monty haul campaign I guess.

second, let me quote some things for you.

Quote:

At 2nd level, whenever a magus casts a spell with a range of “touch” from the magus spell list, he can deliver the spell through any weapon he is wielding as part of a melee attack.

That's spellstrike.

Quote:

Scorching Ray

School evocation [fire]; Level magus 2, sorcerer/wizard 2

CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S

EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one or more rays
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes

So, since Scorching Ray doesn't have a range of touch, as Spellstrike requires, you can't use it in the first place.

Stick with Shocking Grasp, which is 1d6 per level, max 5d6, does have a range of touch, and is a spell level lower. That will do what you're asking for, yes.

edit: oh, and you cannot use your magus arcana pool for the +1 enhancement and arcane accuracy in the same round, if you were trying that. both swift actions.

[weaselmcguff]

Thanks I meant to say shocking grasp. And thanks for the +1 enhancement not being able to be added at the same time.

[clawoftiamat]

The enhancement bonus from the arcane pool lasts for 1 minute so you could activate in one round and have it already on for the next.

[Ice Titan]

Quote:

When I swing to hit am I still at +13 or +11?

+13. You are only at -2 to attacks if you are using a full-round action to use Spell Combat.

You can cast a spell, put it in your weapon, arcane pool power-up your weapon and then move up and attack all in one round.

Or you can cast a spell, put it in your weapon, arcane pool power up, attack, and then take your normal full-attack routine at a -2 to to hit as a full-round action.

[weaselmcguff]

Now I am confused.

Spell Combat (Ex): At 1st level, a magus learns to cast spells and wield his weapons at the same time. This functions much like two-weapon fighting, but the off-hand weapon is a spell that is being cast. To use this ability, the magus must have one hand free (even if the spell being cast does not have somatic components), while wielding a light or one-handed melee weapon in the other hand. As a full-round action, he can make all of his attacks with his melee weapon at a –2 penalty and can also cast any spell from the magus spell list with a casting time of 1 standard action (any attack roll made as part of this spell also takes this penalty). If he casts this spell defensively, he can decide to take an additional penalty on his attack rolls, up to his Intelligence bonus, and add the same amount as a circumstance bonus on his concentration check. If the check fails, the spell is wasted, but the attacks still take the penalty. A magus can choose to cast the spell first or make the weapon attacks first, but if he has more than one attack, he cannot cast the spell between weapon attacks.

Spellstrike (Su): At 2nd level, whenever a magus casts a spell with a range of “touch” from the magus spell list, he can deliver the spell through any weapon he is wielding as part of a melee attack. Instead of the free melee touch attack normally allowed to deliver the spell, a magus can make one free melee attack with his weapon (at his highest base attack bonus) as part of casting this spell. If successful, this melee attack deals its normal damage as well as the effects of the spell. If the magus makes this attack in concert with spell combat, this melee attack takes all the penalties accrued by spell combat melee attacks. This attack uses the weapon's critical range (20, 19–20, or 18–20 and modified by the keen weapon property or similar effects), but the spell effect only deals ×2 damage on a successful critical hit, while the weapon damage uses its own critical modifier.

from looking at both of these. Spell combat says you get a -2 when casting a spell and using weapon independently.

Spellstrike is applying the spell to the weapon and having the weapon hit. No where does it state that there is a -2 penalty for using spellstrike.

[clawoftiamat]

You only apply the -2 if you use spell combat. If you cast a spell and full attack, it is a spell combat and applies the -2. You have to decide before your first attack is made, whether it is the spell or a weapon attack, if you are using spell combat or not. On the topic of spellstrike, if you are not wanting to use a high level spell but want one extra attack that you could get with spell combat, cast arcane mark using spell combat and spellstrike.

[weaselmcguff]

Ok, so if I am going to attack the mob, I use spellstrike. I want to cast shocking grasp on the weapon, and use the weapon to hit. If it hits, does the mob takes damage from weapon and spell. Is this done at a -2 penalty? If the attack misses the spell stays on the weapon for 1 minute?

I am lost on this part:
On the topic of spellstrike, if you are not wanting to use a high level spell but want one extra attack that you could get with spell combat, cast arcane mark using spell combat and spellstrike.

could you explain that. Sorry for the confusion.

[Starglim]

weaselmcguff wrote:

Ok, so if I am going to attack the mob, I use spellstrike. I want to cast shocking grasp on the weapon, and use the weapon to hit. If it hits, does the mob takes damage from weapon and spell.

I'm not sure if this was a question, but yes, that's what Spellstrike does.

weaselmcguff wrote:

Is this done at a -2 penalty?

Not because of Spellstrike. You can use Spellstrike as part of Spell Combat.

weaselmcguff wrote:

If the attack misses the spell stays on the weapon for 1 minute?

It remains until discharged, just as if you had tried to deliver the touch spell using your hand.

weaselmcguff wrote:

I am lost on this part:

On the topic of spellstrike, if you are not wanting to use a high level spell but want one extra attack that you could get with spell combat, cast arcane mark using spell combat and spellstrike.

could you explain that. Sorry for the confusion.

This is an exploit that some people enjoy. When you cast a touch spell using Spellstrike, you get a free attack with your weapon to deliver the spell. Therefore, if you declare Spell Combat, make all your usual attacks and also cast arcane mark using Spellstrike, you get a free attack with your weapon that does its usual damage and also delivers an arcane mark. If you have nothing better to do with a cantrip slot or with the spellcasting opportunity that cost you a -2 to your attacks, go for it.

[weaselmcguff]

ahh Ok THANKS Guys cleared that up for me