Am I right in that you cannot charge while using spellstrike? (Since it's activated only when you cast a spell, not when making an attack, correct?)
If so, what's the point of using it outside of a full attack or with spell combat?
Poolstrike.
Wait, Poolstrike doesn't work.
Since it's activated only when you cast a spell, not when making an attack, correct?
Incorrect.
If you cast the spell, and it has a range of "touch" and it was from the Magus spell list, then you can deliver the spell with a weapon. Also the crit threat range of the spell is based off the weapon.
Other than that, it follows ALL the same rules for touch spells.
If you're holding the (spell) charge, then attack someone, you may deliver the spell through that attack. This includes (combat) charges, whirlwind attack, attacks of opportunity, any part of a full attack, two-handed weapons, natural attacks, unarmed strikes, etc.
Spellstrike is not an action. Spellstrike just lets you deliver the spell with a weapon instead of only with a touch or natural attack/unarmed strike.
-edit-
I'll take this opportunity to link the Spellstrike FAQ thread in case anyone wishes to add a FAQ tag to it...
Technically, I can't even move and attack. I'd have to move and cast, then, because I have this ability, it allows me a free attack that carries the spell.
Unless I'm desperate for a little more weapon damage, I'm not seeing why I wouldn't just cast the spell, move up, and tag the guy as a touch attack (it's more likely to land and won't provoke).
It seems to me that spellstrike is only good for cheesing out an extra attack when using 0-level spells with spell combat.
What is its value, really?
Technically, I can't even move and attack. I'd have to move and cast, then, because I have this ability, it allows me a free attack that carries the spell.
Cast, move, attack. Just like with a touch spell.
It seems to me that spellstrike is only good for cheesing out an extra attack when using 0-level spells with spell combat.
15-20 crit range on shocking grasp is pretty nice.
So the only use for spellstrike is taking advantage of the weapon's higher crit range?
Talk about shoe-horning every magus into a cookie-cutter character... :(
So the only use for spellstrike is taking advantage of the weapon's higher crit range?
Well, you dismissed extra weapon damage, so that's pretty much all Spellstrike does. Touch spell + Weapon.
If you don't want to be hitting things with your sword, a different class might appeal to you more.
Yes, all magus characters are shoehorned into crit-focused characters. Spellstrike is bad since it forces you to roll against AC instead of touch, BUT it increases your crit chances a LOT, and that is the only use of it.