Tripping Twirl and Staff Magus

[PsychoDan]

The feat Tripping Twirl specifically calls out the staff magus archetype:

Quote:

Special: If you are a magus with the staff magus archetype, you can use spellstrike on any one trip combat maneuver you make with the staff.

This looked like it might be an interesting magus build, so I was disappointed to realize that staff magi can't actually take the feat. Tripping Twirl requires Weapon Specialization(quarterstaff), which in turn requires Fighter 4. I'm guessing the intention was for the magus's Fighter Training class feature to cover that, but unfortunately the staff magus trades that away.

So as it stands, the staff magus, which is specifically mentioned in the feat, needs a 4 level fighter dip just to take it. This can't be how the feat is intended to work, right? Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement in the prereqs? Just dropping a feat seems too generous, but nothing comes to mind as a good alternative.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

Reread the archetype.

It gives you access to this feat.

Quarterstaff Master (Combat)
You can wield a quarterstaff as either a two-handed or one-handed weapon.

Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (quarterstaff ), base attack bonus +5.

Benefit: By employing a number of different stances and techniques, you can wield a quarterstaff as a one-handed weapon. At the start of your turn, you decide whether or not you are going to wield the quarterstaff as a one-handed or two-handed weapon. When you wield it as a one-handed weapon, your other hand is free, and you cannot use the staff as a double weapon. You can take the feat Weapon Specialization in the quarterstaff even if you have no levels in fighter.

Staff magus gets you this feat for free with no pre-req needed.

[PsychoDan]

Doh, I missed that. Glad to know it works.

[Drahliana Moonrunner]

It's the feat that also lets you use spell combat with a quarterstaff by letting you wield it one handed.