| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
So my player and I had an argument last night before the game. Good thing was, it had nothing to do with our current game, just a little rules dispute. He believes that even though the Black Blade takes the slot of the Arcana at 3rd level, you still have the class feature "Magus Arcana" and can take Extra Arcana feats. I'm saying he's wrong; by taking the Black Blade, you get no Arcana at 3rd and thus have no class ability called "Magus Arcana" until 6th level, thus the fastest you can take Extra Arcana is 7th level. There's no FAQ on this, even though I believe there doesn't need to be. Has anyone chimed in one way or the other?
You are correct. the magus does not have the class feature Magus arcana till they actually get one. so a blackblade only gets to start using arcana at level 6.
This ability replaces the magus arcana gained at 3rd level.
A bladebound magus doesn't get a magus arcana at 3rd level, as the black blade ability removes and replaces it. So you are correct.
I agree with Von Marshal, a blackblace magus does not have the class ability Magus Arcana until 6th level.
You are correct. the magus does not have the class feature Magus arcana till they actually get one. so a blackblade only gets to start using arcana at level 6.
I was fairly certain I was right. I grasped archetypes pretty easily and it doesn't make sense replacing an ability but you still have it. His argument is that it doesn't replace it because other Magus archetypes that change an ability like fighter training specify what level it gets. Because there is no line saying, "Instead, you get the Magus Arcana at 6th level," you still get it. I argue that because it's the Magus' pick and choose ability, it doesn't need that line.
yeah just open his book use whiteout (date slef) on the ability chart and write blackblade on top of it and say "see that's what it means. where do you read magus arcana now? oh right there at level 6". then slap the gm card down.
yeah just open his book use whiteout (date slef) on the ability chart and write blackblade on top of it and say "see that's what it means. where do you read magus arcana now? oh right there at level 6". then slap the gm card down.
I did and he knows that's how it'll roll in my game if he ever plays a Magus but he still thinks I'm wrong. Oh well. I guess there's not much you can do outside your own game.
honestly i used to think the same way your player did right after um came out. the forums where lit up with thw question. it came down to the wording being the rule
Magus Arcana: As he gains levels, a magus learns arcane secrets tailored to his specific way of blending martial puissance and magical skill. Starting at 3rd level, a magus gains one magus arcana. He gains an additional magus arcana for every three levels of magus attained after 3rd level.
unfortunalty it doesn't say gains access to magus arcana it says gains a magus arcana. therefor, replacing it at level three means you don't have the feature till 6. having a growing magical iteam with the powers it does puts it equal to the other magus archtypes and the base class not having access to the arcana till 6. otherwise there would be nothing but blackblades. tell him just to get his wpn focus, finesse, and some other wpn feat out of the way instead of looking at arcana. blackblades polish their swords alittle too much anyhow. :P