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Can I use Ranged Spellstrike with a bow?
If I can attack 4 times in a full attack, and I cast scorching ray as a 11th level magus, do I get the final regular attack after I deliver the 3 scorching ray attacks?
Ranged Spellstrike (Su): At 4th level, a myrmidarch can use spellstrike to cast a single-target touch attack ranged spell and deliver it through a ranged weapon attack. Even if the spell can normally affect multiple targets, only a single missile, ray, or effect accompanies the attack.
At 11th level, a myrmidarch using a multiple-target spell with this ability may deliver one ray or line of effect with each attack when using a full-attack action, up to the maximum allowed by the spell (in the case of ray effects). Any effects not used in the round the spell is cast are lost. This ability replaces spell recall and improved spell recall.
Or, you could get it at first, depending on when you cast it. And...yes, you can use ranged spellstrike with a bow, that's the idea.
The answer to both questions is yes. I assume that you are using Haste or something similar to get the fourth attack.
Edit: Probably rapid shot, right?
I have no hard quote other than by James Jacob's statement, however, it seems perfectly possible to hold a bow in one hand, cast your spell with the other, and then deliver the ranged attacks with the bow. It's only using and wielding the bow that requires both hands.
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LoneKnave:
Ranged Spellstrike (Su): At 4th level, a myrmidarch can use spellstrike to cast a single-target touch attack ranged spell and deliver it through a ranged weapon attack. Even if the spell can normally affect multiple targets, only a single missile, ray, or effect accompanies the attack.
At 11th level, a myrmidarch using a multiple-target spell with this ability may deliver one ray or line of effect with each attack when using a full-attack action, up to the maximum allowed by the spell (in the case of ray effects). Any effects not used in the round the spell is cast are lost. This ability replaces spell recall and improved spell recall.
Notice that neither spellstrike or the first paragraph of ranged spellstrike say what action it uses.
Yes, but the question is how do you cast a spell when a bow requires both hands?
EDIT: Obviously, thats intended, as per the fluff at the beginning of the class, but other weapons still, such as crossbows (which only need 1 hand to fire) and thrown weapons.
It doesn't say that the arrow needs to be knocked before you cast the spell. You are holding a bow in one hand, while you cast the spell, then you start pulling arrows from your quiver and shooting.
It seems only being able to deliver the rays as part of the next turn's full attack is how it's intended.
One could easily argue that "Using this ability" is what initially allows you to deliver the SpellStrike (This is Spell Strike, not Spell Combat ) through one or more (non-ray) weapon attacks, and does not signify dealing out a free attack right off the bat.
Agreed, it's not very well defined.
You both have a point. The only counter-argument I see would be reading the ability as Allowing you to hold ranged touch spells, even when you'd normally be unable, since it does say "may deliver one ray or line of effect with each attack when using a full-attack action". Bit of a stretch... I would say that makes it an FAQ-worthy question.
Edit: It is not independent of Spellstrike; though it does not modify or alter it, it does claim Use spellstrike. Thus it does depend on the process Spellstrike describes.
Would strongly recommend making a new thread as well, since the original question for this one is based on the number of attacks, and not the mechanics being discussed.
There seems to be some mixup between the terms 'spellstrike' and 'spell combat' here. They are totally different things, and a myrmidach cannot use spell combat with ranged weapons as spell combat is melee weapons only.
It's pretty clear someone forgot that spell combat works only with melee weapons. If you allow it with ranged weapons, suddenly ranged spellstrike works as it should.
There seems to be some mixup between the terms 'spellstrike' and 'spell combat' here. They are totally different things, and a myrmidach cannot use spell combat with ranged weapons as spell combat is melee weapons only.
It's pretty clear someone forgot that spell combat works only with melee weapons. If you allow it with ranged weapons, suddenly ranged spellstrike works as it should.
That doesn't seem to be the case, as the 11th level Ranged Spellstrike, featuring multiple rays, calls specifically for a full-attack action. Spell combat doesn't allow for multiple melee attacks either.
The issues presented would remain.
There seems to be some mixup between the terms 'spellstrike' and 'spell combat' here. They are totally different things, and a myrmidach cannot use spell combat with ranged weapons as spell combat is melee weapons only.
It's pretty clear someone forgot that spell combat works only with melee weapons. If you allow it with ranged weapons, suddenly ranged spellstrike works as it should.
That doesn't seem to be the case, as the 11th level Ranged Spellstrike, featuring multiple rays, calls specifically for a full-attack action. Spell combat doesn't allow for multiple melee attacks either.
The issues presented would remain.
Does spell combat count as making a full attack action for the purpose of haste and other effects?
Yes (revised 9/9/13) This is a revised ruling about how haste interacts with effects that are essentially a full attack, even though the creature isn't specifically using the full attack action (as required by haste). The earlier ruling did not allow the extra attack from haste when using spell combat.
Spell combat counts as making a full attack action for the purpose of haste and 'other effects'. It's pretty obvious this would fit under the 'other effects' category if spell combat worked with ranged attacks.
You're right in that the wording is still horrendous though.
*edit*
I just noticed you said spell combat doesn't allow multiple melee attacks, so just to shoot that down too while we're at it:
If I use spell combat, how many weapon attacks can I make?
You can make as many weapon attacks as you would normally be able to make if you were making a full attack with that weapon. For example, if you are an 8th-level magus (BAB +6/+1), you could make two weapon attacks when using spell combat.
Additionally, it'd be nice to know how the mymidarch is intended to work when combined with being a spellslinger. Neither archetypes are well written or explained, yet should be worth combining.
I stand corrected on the Spell combat bit, and should have read further. I am now grumbly. grumble grumble.
I stand corrected on the Spell combat bit, and should have read further. I am now grumbly. grumble grumble.
No worries. Spell combat and spellstrike are often misread - and the poor wording throughout the entire section doesn't help!
Sorry if I came across as overly dismissive. I didn't mean to be.