Hey all,
So I'm trying to get a feel for the viability of this build. I have really been wanting to play an Arcane Trickster for a while now and I always thought the Magus would work brilliantly as an entry to the class since it is a lot more of a martial character than the other arcane classes. And I really think I wanna give it a go at one of the local PFS groups. However, I'm rather torn about how to build it.
I've got it down to basically two possibilities: either a finesse wakizashi wielding Magus/Ninja/AT, or the strength based Katana wielding Magus/Ninja/AT.
But before we talk about those builds, let's talk about the fact that ATs suck at low levels. Which is something I'm not going to try and dispute. That said, I think that suckiness can be mitigated nicely in the case of the Magus/Ninja by getting all the non-AT levels done first, and then starting the AT at level 11. Way I figure it, the smart move is to level by going Magus 2, Ninja 1, Magus 5, Ninja 2.
Here's my reasoning: the main 'damage spell' of the Magus for the majority of the low levels is Shocking Grasp, a first level spell. With Magical knack, my caster level progression increases even when I take the Ninja levels so no loss in damage output there. Plus I gain 2d6s of sneak when I'm in flank/they are denied their Dex (and the proficiency in whatever main weapon I end up using). The only thing this costs me is access to the number of spells and when I gain access to higher level spells. Which isn't necessarily crippling, if one plays smart (which I intend to do).
What's more, and this is why I'm really leaning towards the strength build, at Magus 7 I can cast in Medium Armor without penalty. That means, mithral breastplate which is pretty sick. What's more, I can two-hand that Katana when the situation calls for it, or I can keep the off-hand free and deal spell damage with spell-combat.
The finesse build, by contrast, is going to have a higher AC at lower levels which is pretty big. However, they don't really get anything from the medium armor proficiency and they can't two-hand a wakizashi. What I do like is that it opens up the Spire Defender option so I can take proficiency with the whip and deliver touch spells with 15' reach. Not as a 'main attack' feature, but as a tactically useful ability. However, I'd give up spell recall which would definitely be a huge help to my gimped spellcasting though the ability to +5 a few choice skills that would be useful to a build like this is also pretty nice.
Anyways, opinions? Are either of these actually viable? If so, which one is the more viable? Or should I just give up and roll my pure martial Ranger Zen Archer?
