Hey all,
I'm working on a Kensai/Bladebound Magus which focuses on the Aldori Dueling Sword as his primary weapon. I've got most of my feats planned out, but I'm not sure on higher levels, or whether my feat progression is even a good idea.
Here's the build I have thus far:
Stats: Human
Str 10
Dex 17 (15+2) +1 4th
Con 14
Int 16 +1 8th, +1 12th
Wis 12
Cha 7
I don't want to drop Str any lower as it doesn't fit the concept, plus I hate dumping strength. Honestly, I hate dumping any stats, but in this instance I can stomach it.
Feats:
1st - Weapon Focus (ADS)
1st - Weapon Finesse
1st - Slashing Grace (ADS)
3rd - Arcane Strike
5th - Aldori Dueling Mastery
5th - Quick Draw (Prereq only...)
7th - Intensified Spell
9th - ???
11th - ???
11th - ???
What are some recommendations for higher level place feats? Also... Is Aldori Dueling Mastery worth it? I feel like it's worth the Quick Draw feat tax, even though that prerep feat makes absolutely no sense... I figure waiting on 7th level to pick up Intensified Spell as that extra 1d6 at 6th level really isn't going to do anything. So in theory, with Aldori Dueling Mastery and not adjusting stats for items, I should have a standard AC of 19 at 5th level before any stat items or armor bonuses.
Arcana
- FCB (Human) at every level to give me 3 extra arcana (4th, 8th, 12th)
4th - Flamboyant Arcana
6th - Arcane Deed: Precise Strike
8th - Empowered Magic
12th - Accurate Strike
12th - Arcane Deed: Evasive
What are your thoughts/questions/comments/concerns? I'd also thought about dropping off the Bladebound archetype to get access to Precise Strike at 4th level instead of 6th, though I do just love the fluff of the Bladebound as it's tied intrinsically to the concept.
Deleted previous post, forgot that Kensai got Focus. With the way you seem to be working hard to try to get both dexterity and intelligence up there (and rightly so), why not push your progression back one feat and use Human: Dual Talent?
Deleted previous post, forgot that Kensai got Focus. With the way you seem to be working hard to try to get both dexterity and intelligence up there (and rightly so), why not push your progression back one feat and use Human: Dual Talent?
I thought about that, but then I have to delay Slashing Grace until 3rd level which really hurts my damage at lower levels, when you really need that extra output.
Especially since Magus are Swift action starved, so Arcane Strike is going to be hard to use unless the fight lasts 4+rounds.
Also, you are incorrect about the Human FCB. Human is +1/4 Arcane Pool point, not arcana.
Elf and Halfling get the FCB that gets extra Arcana, and they are 1/6. So at 6, 12, 18.
Half Elf can take the Elf FCB, and that puts you dropping Arcane Strike and picking up Slashing Grace at 3rd, but getting free Skill Focus or +2 Will saves instead.
Or play an elf, stats Str 10 Dex 18 Con 12 Int 17 Wis 12 Cha 7.
Take the +2 for spell penetration (useful later) and the +2 Concentration from the Arcane Focus racial (useful now). All depends on how much you want the +2 Con, vs the +2 Int.
I didn't think about the Swift action economy... I'll have to rethink Arcane Strike.
Also... Crap!!! You're right about the FCB! I don't know where I mixed that up. Boy that hurts... Perhaps I may look at just going elf and straight Kensai over Bladebound... I'll have to delay Slashing Grace, which hurts, and I'll have to think about the low Con. Is Bladebound that great for Society play anyway? It was more of a thematic choice for me, but I don't know the mechanical benefit for PFS.
If you want Precise Strike sooner, you can always just take the Extra Arcana feat at 3 or 5...
Most (all?) will allow Dervish Dance which doesn't allow anything in the other hand. I ask this with all seriousness - How is that different then Precise Strike?