If spell combat is not a full attack action and haste only grants an extra attack to a full-attack action, does that mean a magus does not gain an attack from either haste or the speed weapon enchant, when using spell combat?
And if so, why is haste on his spell list? Moreover, why would speed ever be something he wanted to use arcane pool points to put on his weapon? :o
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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As your first question seems to be "Does the FAQ really mean what it says?", I'll focus on your two "why" questions.
The answer is "Because sometimes, full-attacking with haste/speed might be a better option than using Spell Combat, so the magus could always choose to do that instead."
Because haste is a super awesome spell that doesn't only affect the magus himself, and even when he's using spell combat he still gets the +1 to AC, attack rolls and reflex saves, and +30 move speed?
Furthermore, I imagine the magus would sometimes like to hold back on his spells (or simply not have any appropriate spells prepared/left), and would thus rely on full-attacking instead. So the hasted magus who asks himself "gee, I didn't expect to meet any constructs today, and the only spell I've got left is frostbite. What should I do?" might find it wiser to just full-attack it and not waste a perfectly good spell that would do absolutely nothing.
If spell combat is not a full attack action and haste only grants an extra attack to a full-attack action, does that mean a magus does not gain an attack from either haste or the speed weapon enchant, when using spell combat?
And if so, why is haste on his spell list? Moreover, why would speed ever be something he wanted to use arcane pool points to put on his weapon? :o
If and when you aren't fighting with spell combat.
Why would a Magus cast haste? The same reason a god wizard would - to provide a powerful buff for him and his allies.
The speed enchant or the arcana isn't the strongest choice admittedly since the FAQ clarified haste for Magus but oh well, such is life.
Spell combat is a full-round action, and is not a full attack action so no you do not get an extra attack.
He gains the Haste spell and the enchant because a Magus does not always need to or want to Spell combat. Also Haste can be used on party members that can benefit from the bonus. You also get the other benefits from Haste other than the extra attack.
If it is a home game you can always house rule that it does allow for an additional attack.
1) Magus does not gain extra attack when using spell combat from haste. (Why? Because the quoted FAQ says so)
2) The magus can still get the full attack if he does not use spell combat. And haste does not *only* give an extra attack on a full attack (bonus to reflex saves, AC and speed). And it buffs the party. Still a great spell IMO.
3) Speed is much less useful for a magus, though not completely useless (just mostly). I would rather just put that +3 enhancement directly onto the weapon rather than convert it to be more speedy.
Mmm...it still rubs me the wrong way. I get the feeling that when they were writing the magus, it was supposed to give the magus the exact same benefits as other martial classes.
The haste arguments do make sense to me though, comparing the reasons for casting it to a wizard's.
Speed simply makes no sense to me, and is the primary reason I feel the magus was supposed to get the extra attack. It's simply insane imo to spend 3 out of 5 of your arcane pool "plusses" on speed if you do not gain the extra attack.
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Speed simply makes no sense to me, and is the primary reason I feel the magus was supposed to get the extra attack. It's simply insane imo to spend 3 out of 5 of your arcane pool "plusses" on speed if you do not gain the extra attack.
You do get the extra attack... if you full-attack. The ability to spend pool points to get speed doesn't indicate that you're supposed to get an extra attack with Spell Combat any more than it indicates you're supposed to get an extra attack when you move and attack.
If you're planning to just lay into the guy with your sword, you can use speed. If you think you're going to spend some turns moving and/or using Spell Combat and/or pulling out items and/or directing your flaming sphere or whatever else besides full-attacking, you don't bother with speed.
EDIT: To put it another way, it would also be "insane" to spend those plusses on ghost touch when you're not fighting incorporeals, or on flaming when you're fighting fire elementals, or on keen when you're fighting an ooze, etc. The fact that there are different circumstances in which you would and would not choose a given enchantment is not a red flag.
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Why would a Magus cast haste? The same reason a god wizard would - to provide a powerful buff for him and his allies.
As a Magus, I no longer memorize Haste. Maximized Intensified Shocking Grasp now occupies my limited number of 3rd level spell slots.
The melee classes that do benefit from Haste can request the wizard to cast it for them, if there happens to be one in the group.
Why would a Magus cast haste? The same reason a god wizard would - to provide a powerful buff for him and his allies.As a Magus, I no longer memorize Haste.
The melee classes that do benefit from it can request the wizard to cast it for them, if there happens to be one in the group.
This almost sounds reasonable, depending on group composition. However, if you are saying that you will never under any circumstances cast a spell regardless of how effective it may be then it sounds like you are being whiny rather than roleplaying.
Artanthos - wouldn't maximized (+3 levels) intensified (+1 level) shocking grasp take up a 5th level spell slot?
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1) Magus does not gain extra attack when using spell combat from haste. (Why? Because the quoted FAQ says so)
2) The magus can still get the full attack if he does not use spell combat. And haste does not *only* give an extra attack on a full attack (bonus to reflex saves, AC and speed). And it buffs the party. Still a great spell IMO.
3) Speed is much less useful for a magus, though not completely useless (just mostly). I would rather just put that +3 enhancement directly onto the weapon rather than convert it to be more speedy.
I very much support this answer.
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Artanthos - wouldn't maximized (+3 levels) intensified (+1 level) shocking grasp take up a 5th level spell slot?He's probably one of those shocking grasp magi who've built themselves, trait wise, feats and such around that on single spell. Taking traits to reduce metamagic costs, etc.
Magical Lineage + Wayang Spell Hunter.
I still have Frostbite, Intensified Snowball, Frigid Touch, Scorching Ray plus several utility spells and self buffs available.
Not like I simply stop working if facing a demon.
Ah kk. Thanks for clearing that up for me. :)