Red Mage build

[The Eternal King]

So, I'm looking into making a Samarian Magus and using the Mystic Past life alternate to grab spells from the Witch, namely some cure and inflict spells, possibly some others. These spells don't even have to of my castable level yet. Would need to have high APB to get the most out of it.

Suggestions on progressing beyond first? My main goal would be to at least hit 7th level as a Magus to net Armored casting for my spells and then dipping to a Martial or Partial caster (Most likely a Bard).

[Raymond Lambert]

Giving up one spell list after 7 levels of it to start another class with spells starting at caster level one of only the slots of a first level character for that class again is usually not a good idea. A bard 3/magus could have a few 1st level bard spells or a magus 10 have have a 4th level spell plus one or two spells of 1st/2nd/3d, all at full caster level. You better be getting really kick ass class abilities to justifly the loss of signifigantly more powerful spells with full caster level. The bard would not even increase your bab, doing 7 levels of magus could get you another bab+1 at magus 8 but instead as a 1st level bard, you get +0bab and fall behind even other single clessed PC who stick with just one 3/4 class. Maybe do eight levels of magus to get that extra bab and. Boost to both fort/will saves before looking for another class or prestige class.

[The Eternal King]

Raymond Lambert wrote:

Giving up one spell list after 7 levels of it to start another class with spells starting at caster level one of only the slots of a first level character for that class again is usually not a good idea. A bard 3/magus could have a few 1st level bard spells or a magus 10 have have a 4th level spell plus one or two spells of 1st/2nd/3d, all at full caster level. You better be getting really kick ass class abilities to justifly the loss of signifigantly more powerful spells with full caster level. The bard would not even increase your bab, doing 7 levels of magus could get you another bab+1 at magus 8 but instead as a 1st level bard, you get +0bab and fall behind even other single clessed PC who stick with just one 3/4 class. Maybe do eight levels of magus to get that extra bab and. Boost to both fort/will saves before looking for another class or prestige class.

Alright, fair point, however the real goal isn't total optimization, however, functionality over concept, tends to work out better. So an 8th Level Magus. I suppose the real goal is a magical jack of trades, which is why I thought bard woild be great, and fits a Red Mage thematically.

[Johnny_Devo]

Have you looked into the puppetmaster archetype?

The archetype may be specialized for enchantment and illusion, but it isn't limited to those and has access to both the magus and the bard spell lists.

[The Eternal King]

Johnny_Devo wrote:

Have you looked into the puppetmaster archetype?

The archetype may be specialized for enchantment and illusion, but it isn't limited to those and has access to both the magus and the bard spell lists.

No, I've never seen anyone use it and I haven't personally looked into it, but I'll go sneak a look.

[anlume]

Just go full bard, and use mystic past life to get spells you like from the magus list so you can have the stuff you like but not get as bard (like scorching ray, fireball or fly). Also take variant multiclassing into magus, so you can get arcane pool, magus arcanas and spellstrike.

For your bard archetype, use the standard bard or sound striker if you want to be a better jack-of-all-trades, or use a dervish dancer or arcane duelist if you want to punch people stronger. Here you have it, put on your best cloak of charisma and go being awesome