This is my first time playing a magus. He's a Teifling with the Hexcrafter Archetype. Weapon is a rapier. First level feat is weapon finesse. Int is a 20. Dex is a 19. How can I get the most out of it as I level?
This is my first time playing a magus. He's a Teifling with the Hexcrafter Archetype. Weapon is a rapier. First level feat is weapon finesse. Int is a 20. Dex is a 19. How can I get the most out of it as I level?
Thanks I'll look into it.
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Thanks I'll look into it.
If you don't wish to switch weapons and/or burn a Feat, you can get the same effect as Dervish Dance with the Agile weapon property.
Aside from that, Shocking Grasp is your friend, Arcane Mark may be as well (depending on GM interpretation), and you're gonna want a Mithral Chain shirt, eventualy followed by Celestial Armor.
That's about all I've got for you.
You have to define your character in order to get really great advice.
What is your Role?
- Will you be the primary caster?
- Do you want to play as a front line melee or do you want more of a support role?
Item Creation
- Who is taking item creation feats?
- Do you have a wizard in the party?
- If no, will anyone beat your spellcraft?
- Have you considered taking the Craft Wondrous Items feat?
Tricks
- What level will you be when the campaign is over?
- Have you thought about using stealth? (The only difference between a class skill and a non class skill is 3 points)
- Have you looked at the Dimensional Savant feats?
- Have you looked at the Close Range Magus Arcana?
Just think about what you want to do and I'm sure someone will pipe in and help you accomplish it.
Also, I try not to take feats that can be mimicked by low level magical items. Agile is a +1 weapon ability that allows you to use dex for damage instead of strength. The prerequisite is that you have Weapon Finesse and a weapon that the feat can be used with. So, the rapier is perfect. The ability comes from the Pathfinder Field guide and can be located in the Pathfinder SRD.
You have to define your character in order to get really great advice.
This is very true, and Aunasiel asks relevant questions/gives generally good advice, but my opinion differs on a few points:
Tricks
- Have you looked at the Dimensional Savant feats?
- Have you looked at the Close Range Magus Arcana?
IMO the dimensional savant line of feats are pretty underwhelming for a magus. I wouldn't recommend them really. You've already got 2nd level (bladed dash) and 3rd level(force hook charge) spells that duplicate the first several feats' effects. Also, Spell Combat's wording MAY allow a magus (and only a magus, due to 'specific overruling general') to attack following dimension door as well. Even if not, the other options for teleport+attack(s) remain. Ultimately, the feat line only lets you break up your teleports and provide flanking from multiple squares. That's a pretty minor cherry on top for a four feat investment.
Also, I'm of the opinion that the close range arcana is a huge trap. There are hardly ANY spells on the Magus' list that can use it well. You can already use Arcane Mark to "flurry" all day, and even if your GM wants to disallow that, a hexcrafter already has brand as a 0-lvl workaround with absolutely NO gray area. Plus, hexcrafters can use curses with spellstrike, meaning they need it even less. IMO, only multiclass Magi and those supplementing their spell list via spell blending should even consider the close range arcane (and perhaps non-hexcrafters whose GM's disallow arcane mark for whatever reason).
Also, I try not to take feats that can be mimicked by low level magical items. Agile is a +1 weapon ability that allows you to use dex for damage instead of strength. The prerequisite is that you have Weapon Finesse and a weapon that the feat can be used with. So, the rapier is perfect. The ability comes from the Pathfinder Field guide and can be located in the Pathfinder SRD.
This is not bad advice at all, but is very dependent upon what levels you'll be playing the character. Agile is only a +1 property, but requiring a +2 weapon before your character can stop completely sucking (ostensibly you've dumped STR going this route) can be risky and frankly, non-feasible. Starting from level 1, you'd usually be level 6 or so (at least) before you can reasonably expect to have a +2 sword. That's a loooong time to wait. At least a dervish dancer goes online at level 3. And later on, that's an extra +1 property to add if you don't need 'Agile'. As the guide says, if there was a feat to add +1d6 elemental damage with each hit or +1 attack/+1 damage, most people would take it in a heartbeat. That's the argument for taking feats like dervish dancer and improved critical, and IMO its a pretty compelling one.
Obviously, sticking with a rapier (or anything non-scimitar), Agile becomes a virtual requirement for the Dex-focused Magus.