Magus / Concentration Checks

[Cathara]

Hi there,

Just putting a new character together and must admit this is my first real venture into spell-caster territory, so I'm a little bit lost. Just how important is a good concentration check for a Magus? I assume very?

Do they need to make a check when using Spellstrike? I know with Spell Combat you can caste defensively (so I assume you really should unless you like getting hit in the face), but wasn't sure about Strike.

Thanks

[Artanthos]

1. Very, but becomes easier at higher level.

2. To use spellstrike: no. To cast in combat yes. You can declare spell combat while outside an opponents reach, cast, 5' step and then spellstrike/make normal attacks.

[Blackstorm]

Cathara wrote:

Hi there,

Just putting a new character together and must admit this is my first real venture into spell-caster territory, so I'm a little bit lost. Just how important is a good concentration check for a Magus? I assume very?

Yup. It's very important, because you are, 9/10 of the times, casting in melee. And you need to not fail the check.

Quote:

Do they need to make a check when using Spellstrike? I know with Spell Combat you can caste defensively (so I assume you really should unless you like getting hit in the face), but wasn't sure about Strike.

Uh? Spellstrike has nothing to do with concentration checks. Spellstrike just allow you to deliver a spell through your weapon, nothing m,ore, nothing less. When you use spellstrike, you have already casted the spell, you're delivering.

It seems you're a bit confused about this, so I want to ppoint you toward the excellent Grick's Guide to Spellstrike and Spell Combat. It will save you from many, many, many, headaches, guaranteed.

[Cathara]

Thanks guys! :)

[master_marshmallow]

I will second the notion that Concentration checks are in fact very important.

But not just concentration checks, but a very well optimized build will skew his resources to pass those checks and still be able to land hits.

There will be others who claim that tactics involving the 5-ft. step will win the day and invalidate the concentration check. Those people are wrong.

[LazarX]

Take combat casting for the lower levels and retrain it later when you don't need it any more.

[Zathyr]

If you're playing an elf, the Arcane Focus alternate racial trait is a good tradeoff. It's only a +2, but it's saved my bacon a few times.

[master_marshmallow]

I like Arcane Temper for the +1 Concentration +1 Initiative.

[Rerednaw]

Abendego Spellpiercer. Regional trait. +2 trait bonus to concentration.
Focused Mind. (Elf only) Alternate racial trait Arcane Focus replaces elven weapon familiarity.
+4 to your concentration check for an Elf Magus before any feats.
DC for defensive spellcasting is 15 +2xSpell level.
There are items that help too...but they start at 5,000 and since this is a new character assuming that is out of reach for a bit.

At starting levels as mentioned it is better to cast when 5' away, then step up and swing.

[Cranky Dog]

Thread necromancy for a similar question concerning spell combat.

If a magus *fails* his concentration check (even with a lowly Arcane Mark at DC 15), does he also lose his extra attack or just the spell?

I know the first normal attack stays at -2, but is the extra attack granted *only* on a successful casting?

Gut feeling is I'd go with the successful casting requirement for balance issues, but I want the official position.

[Hawktitan]

Your gut feeling is correct - you would have to succeed on the cast.

[master_marshmallow]

If he loses the spell, he has nothing to deliver for his free attack.

Mainly look at it like this: Spell Combat does not give you an extra attack. It only lets you cast a spell in place of an attack.

Spell Strike lets you deliver that spell as a free action melee attack.
If you have no spell to deliver, then you do not gain a free action melee attack from Spell Strike.

[Akerlof]

master_marshmallow wrote:

If he loses the spell, he has nothing to deliver for his free attack.

Mainly look at it like this: Spell Combat does not give you an extra attack. It only lets you cast a spell in place of an attack.

Spell Strike lets you deliver that spell as a free action melee attack.
If you have no spell to deliver, then you do not gain a free action melee attack from Spell Strike.

What he said. Remember that with Spell Combat, you can cast spells like Shield or Prismatic Spray while attacking at -2. You wouldn't get an extra attack, though, because those spells don't grant a free touch attack.