I am new to gaming and this is all new to me. I have recently started playing in PFS events and I want to build a magus. I heard as I was leaving that there is a magus build that has a reach weapon, (or maybe the reach effect was through a feat?) but it had a reach attack and it was somehow avoiding their AC and making touch attacks while doing this. I don't have a clue what weapon, stats, feats, or archetype to use.
I have noticed that you all are very helpful on here. Could you please help me create this type of magus please. Ability stats, feats, and any other information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Only things I am aware of that let you deliver touch attacks with reach using Magus-specific attacks are the Lunge feat and getting enlarged.
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You can deliver spell-based touch attacks with a reach weapon, but it won't be against Touch AC.
The only thing I can think of is some sort of Magus build that uses a firearm to deliver the attack, which I have seen in PFS, but don't know the details of, other than being multi-classed Magus/Gunslinger.
I was thinking it had something to do with whips, but maybe I misunderstood.
I would be interested to know how that is done. I know would have to be a 1h weapon if the magus wanted to cast spells to deliver through the weapon. I am wanting to play a magus so these threads always something I check out to see new ways to do it.
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The build you are referring to is probably the hexcrafter build that focuses on the prehensile hair hex.
Using it lets you spellstrike with 10' reach and since the hair is a natural weapon that functions as a hand you can deliver most of those as a touch attack.
There is also a whip based magus build that gives you 15' reach that way but I:m still reading up on that one.
I would let you use touch attacks with a two handed reach weapon using Spellstrike - the idea being that you're merely tapping your foe with your weapon to deliver the spell. I wouldn't allow it with a whip, though.
The Magus can't use spell combat with two-handed weapons, so I think allowing them to deliver touch spells at reach with a two-handed reach weapon helps make up for it.
My favorite combination to get a Magus with lots of reach is a Bladebound Magus with a whip. That gives you 15' reach to start, with the possibility of +5' with the Lunge feat and/or +5' for being Enlarged.
I would let you use touch attacks with a two handed reach weapon using Spellstrike - the idea being that you're merely tapping your foe with your weapon to deliver the spell. I wouldn't allow it with a whip, though.
The Magus can't use spell combat with two-handed weapons, so I think allowing them to deliver touch spells at reach with a two-handed reach weapon helps make up for it.
Why would you not be able to use a whip? It is a melee weapon. I don't understand how using a low damage weapon with reach is an issue? I guess the fact that you can 1 level dip into Gunslinger to get a ranged touch attack with Spellstrike is a lot less dangerous than a whip that requires 3 feats (2 which require +1 BAB then a +2) unless wanting to do non-lethal damage and provoke. I see the whip as something that sounds fun to use and allows the Magus to be close to the front but not having to be out front.
Either have to take the hit of provoking and not doing lethal until minimum of level 3 Magus (Kensai gets weapon focus so can spend 3rd level feat for Whip Mastery though you also cast less spells) or taking Fighter first level as a human to get all 3 feats at 3rd total level. This makes it seem like the whip is possible but it requires a lot of sacrifice to work. Seems to balance out.
Edited as was in a hurry and Whip Mastery takes a +2 BAB
Is there a way to make something that can have a reach so you threaten a 10' radius instead of 5'? If this could be combined with a magus for the spells it seems like it would be a nice concept. Also, on reach weapons, is there a disadvantage if they are 5' away instead of 10'? I just want to make sure as I try to build this I am not trying to switch weapons every time someone moves from 5' to 10' or visa versa.
Edit: The difference here is I am not trying to push the touch attack now as that doesn't seem to be a very likely option in PFS.
Net adept works with spell strike, but I'm not sure it's a touch attack, since the feat does not clarify is attack with the 1 handed 10ft reach net is a normal net touch attack or not.
Orcs and Elves can get nets for free, trading in some racial traits. Gripplis also get them for free.
Or magus with three levels of phalanx fighter, perhaps a buckler and glaive? Phalanx fighter lets you use a polearm one handed.
A whip is a onehanded reach weapon.
Or you could do ranged attacks instead of reach attacks. The myrmidarch magus can do that. Once he reaches 4th level he gets ranged spellstrike.
By the way the best weapon for that in my opinion is the halfling staff sling as it is onehanded, a melee weapon and a ranged weapon. So with it you can use spell combat (onehanded melee weapon) and ranged spellstrike (ranged weapon) in the same turn.
