Multiclass Magus / Rogue maybe?

[cranewings]

How important is spell combat for a Magus? I'm first level with my new PFS character.

STR 18
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 13
WIS 7 (for fun)
CHA 11

Feats: Cleave, Power Attack

My plan for the character originally was to play him as much like a rogue as possible, using spells like vanish to get in position and then using that great DPS to wreck something. Right now I'm using a Glaive sense most of my spells are buffs I can just do outside of combat.

After the last game though, I'm starting to feel like there might be a big lack of utility in PFS. There isn't much coordination sense you just show up and play with whoever is there with whatever they brought. It seemed like almost everyone came to do combat.

So I'm thinking of either multiclassing as a rogue and building up my UMD some more to cover healing, or just forgoing picking up spells used in combat and rounding out the character with more utility spells like "Knock." If I do that though, and stay straight Magus, I'll basically be playing a fighter with low HP and AC in combat. The glaive helps, because I can try to avoid being the guy up front.

Any thoughts?

My spell list right now, after the first game is: Vanish, Protection from Evil, Unseen Servant, Feather Fall and Shield.

[My PFS Lavode De'Morcaine]

I haven't played PFS very much (just not enough hours in the week).

However, I have seen a couple of times where almost nobody who showed up intended to be a melee combatant.

We had once with a sorc, 2 alchemist bombers, a ranger archer, and a cleric buffer.

The cleric had to try and be the tank/melee and wasn't really set up for it.

I would stick with your original plan a bit longer and see how it goes.

However, trying to get a few utility spells in your book is always nice.

[dunebugg]

As an FYI, you can only use Spell Combat with a light or one-handed weapon. Glaive won't allow you to use your core class ability.

You can play a magus with a ton of utility and support. Just gotta buy some extra spells for your spellbook, think about the Hexcrafter archetype, and pick your spells (and hexes) carefully.

What exactly do you want to do, besides be rogueish?

[cranewings]

I'm not super worried about spell combat. I think I can still channel a shocking grasp with a glaive, but I'm probably not going to try and cast while in melee much. AC and concentraition are both too low.

I was originally going to play him as a smart striker by sneaking up on people with vanish and invisibility, and power attacking with shocking grasp once I'm a little higher level and it is worth it.

Now I'm thinking of try to shore him up as a straight melee guy as much as possible and use spells just to deal with fliers / archers, or perform rogue duties if no one is available. My spell craft check if only +1 so I'm going to have to mostly rely on what I learn at each level.

[dunebugg]

Then you're definitely not playing to the strengths of the Magus. You should have an AC 15-16 at 1st level which isn't bad.

Did you know you can cast a touch spell, move, then deliver it? No need to worry about provoking or casting defensively as you wade into combat.

Power attack isn't really a great feat for Magus... Your spells will out-damage the PA bonus by far. Check out Walters Guide to the Magus for some ideas.

[cranewings]

Will do.

I actually have an AC of 16 (Chain Shirt / Dex +2). I just consider that a really low AC.

Like I said, I GM mostly. I've only played maybe half a dozen sessions of PF ever. If 16 is ok then it is ok I guess.

[Doctor Carrion]

Another CAN I PLEASE MULTICLASS MY MAGUS?! thread.

Please, do it. Just for asking the question, you don't deserve another magus arcana or spell slot this level.

[cranewings]

Doctor Carrion wrote:

Another CAN I PLEASE MULTICLASS MY MAGUS?! thread.

Please, do it. Just for asking the question, you don't deserve another magus arcana or spell slot this level.

So the magus arcana is better than a d6 sneak attack when I can Vanish or Turn Invisible?

Why so angry?

[Mathwei ap Niall]

cranewings wrote:

Doctor Carrion wrote:

Another CAN I PLEASE MULTICLASS MY MAGUS?! thread.

Please, do it. Just for asking the question, you don't deserve another magus arcana or spell slot this level.

So the magus arcana is better than a d6 sneak attack when I can Vanish or Turn Invisible?

Why so angry?

Yes, the Arcana is worth about 5 times more then that D6 in damage. And we won't even begin to compare the spell slots value over that puny D6.

[Doctor Carrion]

The extra d6 in damage from sneak attack is good under two circumstances:

A: You're not giving up a lot to get it, such as a fighter, barbarian, ranger, etc. who will still have a great BaB and will miss no (or almost no) spells.

B: You get that d6 again, many times. This is automatically a waste of a magus because you've given up so many spells, arcana, etc. by the time you have respectable sneak damage.

[cranewings]

I don't know, I like the skills a lot. Besides, I could play a high dex two weapon fighter and walk through PFS adventures. I'm looking for utility, not power.

I've still got two more games to decide what I'm going to do. I might stick with what he is.

I'm honestly not super impressed with Arcana.

[PhelanArcetus]

For the raw damage, stick with magus. You give up too much to get sneak attack damage.

Now if your goal is to get certain skills up, and it suits the character, you can dip rogue. Just a single level dip of rogue is worth 6 extra skill points and the +3 class bonus on a lot of skills that you may put ranks into. This is going to weaken your character's combat capability, and if that's ok by you, go for it. But don't think that a die or two of sneak attack is more damaging than spells, magus arcana, and caster level.

[Kydeem de'Morcaine]

cranewings wrote:

... I'm looking for utility, not power...

Personally, I don't think magus is a great choice if you are looking for a utility caster. You might be happier going ftr/wiz/EK