RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.
Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.
Not qualifying for Arcane Strike is a hit to DPR.
Not particularly, as AS is not a good feat for a Magus. You need your swift actions for other things. If you want to boost your DPR, Weapon Spec is a better choice.
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The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.
He seems to be going off a strict reading that Spell Blending adds a spell to the Magus spell list... but Phantom Blade doesn't cast using the Magus spell list. I don't know if that's the case or not, but after the way Arcane Deed was ruled, it could really go any direction.
An alternative would be to take the Two-World Magic trait to pick up something like Brand or Touch of Fatigue, as that trait does add the spell to your spell list, whatever that spell list may be. Of course, that means not taking Magical Lineage, since they are both Magic traits.
Okay, looking up what's on the Zenith Games Comprehensive Pathfinder Guides Guide by class:Yeah, we should really ask Zenith to sort his guides by when they were last updated, and/or give a gray color to anything not updated in the last year.
I'm going to admit that I refer to this guide for both melee fighter-types and for wizard-types, since it's actually been updated with post-UM material.
Absolutely amazing guide, gotta say. Very useful.
The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.He seems to be going off a strict reading that Spell Blending adds a spell to the Magus spell list... but Phantom Blade doesn't cast using the Magus spell list. I don't know if that's the case or not, but after the way Arcane Deed was ruled, it could really go any direction.
An alternative would be to take the Two-World Magic trait to pick up something like Brand or Touch of Fatigue, as that trait does add the spell to your spell list, whatever that spell list may be. Of course, that means not taking Magical Lineage, since they are both Magic traits.
Adding meta-magic turns spells into a full-round action for spontaneous casters.
No intensified Shocking Grasp for the Phantom Blade even if they could access the spell.
Two World magic is a good point. Grabbing Touch with a trait is much more convenient.
Broad Study eliminates all arguments about what does and does not work with the spiritualist.
The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.He seems to be going off a strict reading that Spell Blending adds a spell to the Magus spell list... but Phantom Blade doesn't cast using the Magus spell list. I don't know if that's the case or not, but after the way Arcane Deed was ruled, it could really go any direction.
An alternative would be to take the Two-World Magic trait to pick up something like Brand or Touch of Fatigue, as that trait does add the spell to your spell list, whatever that spell list may be. Of course, that means not taking Magical Lineage, since they are both Magic traits.
The same strict reading can be applied to both the phantom blade's Spell Combat and Spellstrike.
Both abilities refer to the standard magus abilities, which in turn specify they only work for magus spells cast from magus spell slots.
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The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.He seems to be going off a strict reading that Spell Blending adds a spell to the Magus spell list... but Phantom Blade doesn't cast using the Magus spell list. I don't know if that's the case or not, but after the way Arcane Deed was ruled, it could really go any direction.
An alternative would be to take the Two-World Magic trait to pick up something like Brand or Touch of Fatigue, as that trait does add the spell to your spell list, whatever that spell list may be. Of course, that means not taking Magical Lineage, since they are both Magic traits.
The same strict reading can be applied to both the phantom blade's Spell Combat and Spellstrike.
Both abilities refer to the standard magus abilities, which in turn specify they only work for magus spells cast from magus spell slots.
Personally, I think it should work, because why else give them the ability? My point about Arcane Deed was that I thought it worked for the same reason, and it was errata'd not to, so who knows. But I think it should work. Or maybe the issue is using VMC. Not sure.
I picked up touch of fatigue[/] on my trip build Magus, just because tacking another debuff on top of tripping get more useful than [i]arcane mark, and I wasn't going the metamagic route anyway.
The arcana Spell Blending only works for an actual magus. It will not add spells known to another classes spell list.Why wouldn't it? VMC says you treat your character level as your Magus level.He seems to be going off a strict reading that Spell Blending adds a spell to the Magus spell list... but Phantom Blade doesn't cast using the Magus spell list. I don't know if that's the case or not, but after the way Arcane Deed was ruled, it could really go any direction.
An alternative would be to take the Two-World Magic trait to pick up something like Brand or Touch of Fatigue, as that trait does add the spell to your spell list, whatever that spell list may be. Of course, that means not taking Magical Lineage, since they are both Magic traits.
The same strict reading can be applied to both the phantom blade's Spell Combat and Spellstrike.
Both abilities refer to the standard magus abilities, which in turn specify they only work for magus spells cast from magus spell slots.
Personally, I think it should work, because why else give them the ability? My point about Arcane Deed was that I thought it worked for the same reason, and it was errata'd not to, so who knows. But I think it should work. Or maybe the issue is using VMC. Not sure.
I picked up touch of fatigue[/] on my trip build Magus, just because tacking another debuff on top of tripping get more useful than [i]arcane mark, and I wasn't going the metamagic route anyway.
I agree it should work, and it will certainly work in any game I run.
In pedantic arguments over pure RAW, however, it is best to be aware of any potential issues. In PFS especially, you never know when you are going to encounter someone that will not allow the abilities to function.
Arguably, Spellstrike works on a Phantom Blade Spiritualist because the class itself awards the ability, whereas Phantom Blade Spiritualist normally has no access to Magus Arcana, so if you manage to get them anyway, whether they work on this class depends upon their specific wording, so beware of traps.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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What about male Lashunta for race?
It works because of the stat bonuses, but doesn't otherwise have any interesting abilities. The lashunta wouldn't be my first choice for a Magus (although conversely, if I have to play a lashunta I'd probably go for Magus as you suggest).
No intensified Shocking Grasp for the Phantom Blade even if they could access the spell.
There's a feat for that (spontaneous metafocus).
Also, I've checked the new Monster Hunter's Handbook, and added the monster stalker trait; knowledgeable spellcaster, creature focus, and favored enemy spellcasting feats; and the huntmaster's spear and slick wall spells. Also, disrupt undead and gallant inspiration spells and blighted phys trait from earlier books, and the aforementioned cestus. If I've missed anything that'd be relevant for a Magus, please let me know.
Just had a disappointing thought while trying to think of ways to get off-list spells onto a non-Magus class: Spell Blending says that the Sorcerer/Wizard spells you get must be of a Magus spell level you can cast. Taken literally, this seems to me to mean that this Magus Arcana won't work for anyone other than Magi and a few archetypes of other things that actually get Magus spell casting (this doesn't include Phantom Blade Spiritualist).
Edit: This is for the combination of VMC Magus with some non-Magus spellcasting class.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Just had a disappointing thought while trying to think of ways to get off-list spells onto a non-Magus class: Spell Blending says that the Sorcerer/Wizard spells you get must be of a Magus spell level you can cast.
That only affects VMC Magus, doesn't it? The two spiritualist archetypes don't get arcana anyway, and the arcanist can already cast from the wizard list.
Yes. I was thinking of getting some Sorcerer/Wizard spells on a Ranger or Bloodrager by going VMC Magus and then taking Spell Blending, but reading literally, looks like it won't work due to the way Spell Blending is worded.
Yes. I was thinking of getting some Sorcerer/Wizard spells on a Ranger or Bloodrager by going VMC Magus and then taking Spell Blending, but reading literally, looks like it won't work due to the way Spell Blending is worded.
I brought this up in the rules forums last week and it was quickly shot down.
Noticed Aasimar was missing from the races, maybe throw in Android?
Nice Guide, making a magus for a home game. Been wanting to play one for awhile, this guide will help.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Noticed Aasimar was missing from the races, maybe throw in Android?
Well, I'm not going to list every race that has a bonus to the relevant ability scores, since there are too many of those. Neither aasimar nor android appears to have any racial abilities that particularly stand out for a Magus.
Azata-blooded is +Dex/+Cha, good for Eldritch Scion. Or Angel-Blooded for Str-built Eldritch Scions.
Also, Crusading Magic alternate racial trait which gives them a free +2 vs Spell Resistance. Would any of those let them stand out in any way?
An excellent guide Kurald. I've never played a magus, but using your guide I'm soon going to.
Azata-blooded is +Dex/+Cha, good for Eldritch Scion. Or Angel-Blooded for Str-built Eldritch Scions.
Also, Crusading Magic alternate racial trait which gives them a free +2 vs Spell Resistance. Would any of those let them stand out in any way?
and you can use Heavenly Radiance feat
It occurs to me that a high level Card Caster or Eldritch Archer could do a nice combo with Named Bullet, Decapitate, and their usual Magus abilities. Auto crit and some extra damage, boost the crit damage/multiplier, then crit spell damage on top of it. Maybe get a 12th level Sorcerer buddy to help by taking the two necessary spells and supporting you to pull it off earlier.
Big fan of your guide, I would like to suggest that for your ES controller magus build, to replace one of the 1st level Extra Arcane Pool feats with Noble Scion of War. It will free you up from wanting Improved Initiative at level 17 and from needing to worship Torag for the Defensive Strategist trait.
I have often wondered whether, if Golarion were a real place, prospective adventurers would sit around poring over lists of feats, traits, and character abilities before choosing a class. Also, why isn't "leveling up" a big deal, worthy of celebration and acclaim, instead of a mere "okay, you're second level now, let's move on"?
I'm surprised no one has ranted about how terrible the Sigilus archetype is. Wow, in a really bad way.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Update time! From the Adventurer's Guide, added Deivon's Parry and Tactical Adaptation spells, both rated blue; thornblade, another blue; and sigilus archetype, rated red. Downrated Magic Warrior archetype since it got nerfed in the new book.
Big fan of your guide, I would like to suggest that for your ES controller magus build, to replace one of the 1st level Extra Arcane Pool feats with Noble Scion of War.
Thank you. I think for this build, pool points are a higher priority than boosting initiative.
I'm surprised no one has ranted about how terrible the Sigilus archetype is. Wow, in a really bad way.
Yeah, it's pretty disappointing. Two straight downgrades and no new abilities to speak of... maybe it had a cool ability that was cut out during editing?
That elf maneuver magus is wasting a lot of feats!
Rather than taking Extra Arcana four times, she should take it once and use her elf FCB to get three arcana for free. She can then take Toughness with one of the three feats she saves to replace the lost HP, giving her two more feats to work with.
Hi Kurald, just wanted to drop you a line thanking you for the guide! I went with a build not quite in line with the guide, but it did fill in some real gaps I needed to work through.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Hey Kurald, great guide. I would just like to add that for the skirner it reads:
"A skirnir may use his shield hand to perform somatic components for magus spells, forfeiting the shield’s bonus to AC until the beginning of his next turn"
Thank you! The key is that the sentence you quote goes on to say "if the bonded shield is a buckler, he retains its bonus to AC." So the obvious answer is to use a buckler as your shield, and enchant it to give a sizeable AC bonus, and spend your feat and/or metarod on something else.
The two issues with a tower shield is that the archetype's bonded item is explicitly not allowed to be a tower shield, and that equipping one gives you a -2 penalty on attack rolls. These drawbacks mean that its extra AC isn't really worth it, and the buckler is the better choice.
So with slashing grace AND fencing grace getting the errata hacksaw
does that mean all dex to damage magus builds have to wait until second level to make use of dervish dance while dumping two skill ranks?
Seems pretty crappy to me if that's the case
Also, wouldn't the magus benefit from a dip into arcanist? Keeps caster level, gets an arcane exploit (take potent magic) and a pool to spend points to boost the dc or the caster level of a spell. And with blooded arcanist, they can get access to the orc sorcerer bloodline for a huge damage boost.
The exploit only works with arcanist spells.
anyways, besides dervish dance, I guess dex to damage is impossible for magi at this point isn't it?
The Agile weapon enchantment still does it if you can wait to afford a +2 weapon. Deadly Agility if third party is allowed. Or a 3-level dip into unchained rogue, but that hurts a lot.
oh really? damnanyways, besides dervish dance, I guess dex to damage is impossible for magi at this point isn't it?
Not impossible, just not while using spell combat, so severely restricted.
So it seems that STR magi is the easiest way to go
The STR magus was already kind of the better Magus. The incompatibility of most dex-to-damage options with spell combat just underline that.
So it seems that STR magi is the easiest way to go
It really depends - particularly on what you mean by "easiest."
DEX merely requires that you take weapon finesse and dervish dance (now), limits you to scimitar, and requires that you put all of your focus into DEX and INT instead of STR and INT. That's not "hard" by any stretch. However...
Originally a DEX magus was better in most ways except damage output, climb, and carry capacity. The STR magus had only a slight edge in damage output, primarily due to weapon type (half-elf, ancestral arms racial trait with aldori dueling sword leveled the field, however). The biggest loss is/was the two feat cost, IMO. Blade tutor' spirit changes that in favor of the STR magus, since you can basically negate the cost of power attack (worst case -1 penalty all the way to level 20), which the DEX magus does not typically benefit from.
Most of the analyses regarding the DEX/STR comparison (that I've seen) tend to focus on the difference with a damage dealing spell for spell combat, e.g., shocking grasp, failing to take into account the fact that you won't necessarily have that spell every round of the combat day. Probably not for most of those rounds, in fact. The magus in my HoHS module uses arcane mark more than anything as a result.
At the end of the day, BTS is what swung me to the STR magus camp, though I do tend to like DEX characters otherwise. In the two campaigns I'm currently running (as a GM), I play an investigator and a bard, respectively, with DEX-damage capability.
The two feat tax kinda evens out when you have to take feats to get some of those bennies back (and not quite as good, btw). It's all relative.
Either way, like I said, with BTS, I'm in the STR camp now anyway.
What's BTS?
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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blade tutor's spirit
It's a useful spell. However, instead of spending a feat to boost damage at a cost and casting a combat spell to offset the cost, you could also just cast a spell to boost damage directly :)
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I've been confused about whether blade tutor's spirit offsets the penalty for spell combat or if it only works for things like power attack, piranha strike, combat expertise, etc. is it worth using on a magus that doesn't have one of those feats? It says actions and feats, and it includes charging and fighting defensively. So is spell combat an action that applies a penalty to your melee attack roll? If so, then I might start using the spell when I've got enough advance notice or suspect a fight is coming. I doubt I would actually cast it in combat, unless I was really struggling to hit something.
As far as I can tell, Blade Tutor's Spirit works on any penalty that you incur by your own choice of actions, as long as it is a penalty that you can get rid of by stopping that action (that is, you didn't curse or damage yourself to take a penalty). So Combat Expertise, Fighting Defensively, Power Attack, Spell Combat, and Two-Weapon Fighting (if for some weird reason you have that) all qualify.