Help with my 6th level Magus

[TPK]

OK, I have built a pretty effective BBEG beat stick. Basically I have been able to spike out enough damage to take down all kinds of CRs bigger than my GM expected. However we have just stepped into something I am concerned about. We are going into a war that seems to be run by fire giants with all kinds of lesser giants and goblinkin. Well I don't really have anything to deal with larger groups of lesser enemies. Is there anything y'all would suggest?

[FrodoOf9Fingers]

Well...

Lots of smaller enemies is typically almost always harder than one big bad guy. What I don't know your build, though I find that increasing my resources tends to be the best way to increase my ability to deal with groups of monster. Hence, pearls of power become useful. AOE spells (such as burning hands) are useful in some cases, though I typically hold out on getting AoE effects until spells like fireball and slow (3rd), dragon's breath(4th), and fire snake(5th). Until then, I just whack stuff and concentrate on being a obstacle for the mobs that are trying to reach the real AOE masters (full casters).

Depending on your group, one dead enemy is sometimes a lot better than lots of weakened enemies.

Finally, one of the struggles I find with lots of smaller enemies is running out of spells. Pearls of Power are always nice :).

[Thaago]

To build on what Frodo9Fingers said, you can invest more heavily in defensive buff spells such as mirror image, blur, shield, etc, then just wade into combat as a frontliner and conserve resources.

Suggested spells:
1st levels (for easier fights): Shield, Longarm, frostbite (even better against cold vulnerable enemies like fire giants!). Frostbite at level 6 is a solid chunk of damage, just spread out. Longarm will let you get AoO's and full attack more often.

2cd level: Mirror Image, Elemental Touch (electricity - staggering every enemy you hit is a phenomenal ability - IF you have a reasonable GM that lets the spell act RAI)

Combat may last a few more rounds, but you should remain safe, effective, and still have a burst or two ready for bosses.

[master_marshmallow]

A wand of this should help, until you can cast it yourself next level that is.

[BretI]

If you don't already have them, I would suggest picking up the spells Blur, Glitterdust, and some alchemical weapons such as liquid ice. Pellet grenades are alright although the Fire Giants and many of their creatures are not going to take the fire damage.

Mirror image is usually a great defense, except when outnumbered.

Think about ways you can use environment or mundane equipment (like caltrops) to restrict their movement.

Also, this is a group effort. Hopefully others in your group have options for battlefield control.

[chuffster]

Fog cloud, web, and stone call are all worth looking into. The basic idea is divide and conquer. You are much better off taking on three groups of 5 guys separately instead of 15 guys at once.

[Kurald Galain]

A Magus has several spells available for dealing with groups of enemies, even at low level.

Instead of Shocking Grasp, consider using Frostbite; it gives you a damage boost on your next six attacks, to be spread among enemies as you wish. Do not use against undead or elementals, for obvious reasons.

Grease provides area control, as does Color Spray. Keep a scroll of Obscuring Mist handy to deal with enemy archers. Level two gets such staple area spells as Glitterdust and Web. Flurry of Snowballs is a decent area damage spell at this level.

Finally, if you're a dex-based Magus, consider taking Compat Reflexes and the Lunge spell; have fun throwing opportunity attacks at everybody coming close.

HTH!