d20pfsrd.com and the prd (and the original text) disagree on what words a Magus starts with.
Magi, Witches, and Wizards: Witches and wizards begin play knowing all 0-level effect and meta words for their respective classes and a number of 1st-level effect or meta words equal to 3 + the witch's or wizard's Intelligence modifier. Magi begin play with a number of 1st-level effect or meta words in their spellbooks equal to 2 + their Intelligence modifier. Whenever witches, wizards, or magi gain another level in their respective classes, they add 2 additional words to their spellbook or familiar, of any level they can cast. They can add new effect or meta words to their spellbooks or familiars for the same time and cost as it would take to add a spell of the same level.
Emphasis mine.
d20pfsrd removes the line about Magi and adds them to the first sentence instead. But there's nothing on the Ultimate Magic FAQ page about words at all, and the PRD hasn't been changed from the text in the book. Is it intended that a Word Magus starts with no zero level and one less first first level word?
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It's in the errata:
Page 162—In the Learning Words of Power section,
in the Magi, Witches, and Wizards paragraph, in the
first sentence, change “Witches and wizards begin
play” to “Magi, witches, and wizards begin play”.
Change “3 + the witch’s or wizard’s Intelligence
modifier” to “3 + their Intelligence modifier”. Delete
the second sentence.
It's in the errata:
Page 162—In the Learning Words of Power section,
in the Magi, Witches, and Wizards paragraph, in the
first sentence, change “Witches and wizards begin
play” to “Magi, witches, and wizards begin play”.
Change “3 + the witch’s or wizard’s Intelligence
modifier” to “3 + their Intelligence modifier”. Delete
the second sentence.
Thanks. I didn't realize that the PRD doesn't get updated with errata. You'd think it would. Or at least have an errata link on the FAQ page.
No idea about the errata and the PRD. I would assume that should have been updated, but maybe not.
I know about this errata/rule because I was playing a Words of Power Magus. I can not caution against it enough. On the one hand it's cool that you can spellstrike with most of your spell list. On the other, you are less powerful spell for spell than if you just stayed with the standard spells. Unless all magic in the game is words of power, I would suggest not using them. You will feel underpowered.
No idea about the errata and the PRD. I would assume that should have been updated, but maybe not.
I know about this errata/rule because I was playing a Words of Power Magus. I can not caution against it enough. On the one hand it's cool that you can spellstrike with most of your spell list. On the other, you are less powerful spell for spell than if you just stayed with the standard spells. Unless all magic in the game is words of power, I would suggest not using them. You will feel underpowered.
I was thinking about it for flavour for a staff magus. There are a couple things that can be accomplished with words that can't with spells, plus I'd feel less desire to spend a lot of feats and traits focusing on one or two key spells. Wands, staves, and scrolls can be used for the important stuff that can't be duplicated with words.