So in our last session, we had a couple snafus with the GM that we basically handwaved in order to get the session done, but now that it's completed, I'm looking for some concrete answers about them.
The first question is a fairly basic one; can you Fight Defensively while delivering a Touch Spell? The GM was convinced that because it was a Spell (and not a Weapon, much less a Weapon-like Spell), that you couldn't really Fight Defensively with it.
The second question is a bit more difficult. When I was proposing that the Magus can Spellstrike with Shocking Grasp, and then Spell Combat for 2 attacks (both of which receiving Shocking Grasp bonuses to hit if he missed once), he argued that because the Spell is going into the sword (which he ruled was a Standard Action, i.e. Casting the Spell), he stated that it's a Standard Action to do so every time he wants to Spellstrike.
A third bonus question, is let's say the Magus has Shocking Grasp cast beforehand, and wants to use Spell Combat + Spellstrike again, so he can basically "chain" Shocking Grasps. Would this be legal to perform if you already have a Touch Spell waiting to be discharged? (In other words, would the first Shocking Grasp fade when he performs the action, or would it be when he proceeds to make the Touch Attack for the second Shocking Grasp?)
The first question is a fairly basic one; can you Fight Defensively while delivering a Touch Spell? The GM was convinced that because it was a Spell (and not a Weapon, much less a Weapon-like Spell), that you couldn't really Fight Defensively with it.
The rules say "You can choose to fight defensively when attacking. If you do so, you take a –4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC until the start of your next turn."
Are you attacking? Then you qualify. It works.
The second question is a bit more difficult. When I was proposing that the Magus can Spellstrike with Shocking Grasp, and then Spell Combat for 2 attacks (both of which receiving Shocking Grasp bonuses to hit if he missed once), he argued that because the Spell is going into the sword (which he ruled was a Standard Action, i.e. Casting the Spell), he stated that it's a Standard Action to do so every time he wants to Spellstrike.
The entire point of Spell Combat is that you can cast a spell as part of a full-attack action. That said, I'm not sure what exactly you're describing here. If you do Spell Combat, you can cast shocking grasp as your first attack and make your spellstrike, and if you miss, you still carry the charge for your next attack. Once you've cast the spell and are holding the charge, it doesn't take any extra action to do your spell attack with Spellstrike.
A third bonus question, is let's say the Magus has Shocking Grasp cast beforehand, and wants to use Spell Combat + Spellstrike again, so he can basically "chain" Shocking Grasps. Would this be legal to perform if you already have a Touch Spell waiting to be discharged? (In other words, would the first Shocking Grasp fade when he performs the action, or would it be when he proceeds to make the Touch Attack for the second Shocking Grasp?)
The held charge goes away when you cast another spell. So if you're already holding a charge, you can start Spell Combat with a regular attack, and use it to try to deliver the held charge. If you hit, it discharges, and you can go on to cast your spell with the next attack. If not, then you can either cast a new spell as part of Spell Combat and lose the held charge, or stop your full-attack right there and miss out on the rest of your attacks.
The second question is a bit more difficult. When I was proposing that the Magus can Spellstrike with Shocking Grasp, and then Spell Combat for 2 attacks (both of which receiving Shocking Grasp bonuses to hit if he missed once), he argued that because the Spell is going into the sword (which he ruled was a Standard Action, i.e. Casting the Spell), he stated that it's a Standard Action to do so every time he wants to Spellstrike.
Here's a link to a post on the subject that has an impressive 279 upvotes.
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The important thing to note here is that spellstrike has no action involved. It's not an active or activated ability. It's a passive ability that allows you to deliver touch spells using your weapon instead of your hand if you want. If you look through the FAQs on this site it's quite explicitly intended to be co-functional with spell combat.
And yes, if you begin your turn with a shocking grasp held, you can discharge it with your first attack, casting it again at the end of a spell combat sequence, and then immediately getting a free attack as per the rules for touch spells as modified by spellstrike. This is all intended functionality, and I would play a different character if your GM says you can't use these magus fundamentals.
The second question is a bit more difficult. When I was proposing that the Magus can Spellstrike with Shocking Grasp, and then Spell Combat for 2 attacks (both of which receiving Shocking Grasp bonuses to hit if he missed once), he argued that because the Spell is going into the sword (which he ruled was a Standard Action, i.e. Casting the Spell), he stated that it's a Standard Action to do so every time he wants to Spellstrike.Here's a link to a post on the subject that has an impressive 279 upvotes.
Yes. Grick's Guide to Touch Spells, Spell Combat, and Spell Combat is THE resource for understanding these issues. Darksol, you and your GM should both read it.
If you had a held charge you can do spell combat and do the spell at the end. You attack with your normal attack and if it hits it uses the held charge. Then you'd cast your spell and you could either touch with it or use the sword to attack with it. Thus you could get two sword attacks both with shocking grasp on them.
Any attack roll can be done defensively.