Making a backup character for Pfs and really on a toss up for a fullcaster vs a melee person. I always like the hex crafter with black blade but guess they don't stack. So really what would the hexcrafter have over a witch?
melee ability? actual armor during the 'mage armor lasts one hour' levels?
options when you face undead/mindless?
Better BAB and fortitude saves, for one thing. Armor, shield, and weapon proficiencies. Spell Combat allowing for casting a spell and unleashing a full attack in the same turn. The ability to take fighter-only feats starting at 10th level.
Witches are pretty amazing, of course. Still, so are magi. I'm personally fond of the hexcrafter + eldritch archer archetypes being combined.
A hexcrafter gets better stats at almost any aspect of fighting ability, casting in armor and a more practical spell list. The witch is a full caster, its quirky spell list can be used to do the unexpected, and it gets more and earlier hexes.
The witch is a full caster, its quirky spell list can be used to do the unexpected, and it gets more and earlier hexes.
that, and it isn't a gish.
so it can devote everything to INT and not feel it is leaving anything behind. hexcrafter needs more str and/or DEX.
hexes work off of int alone, and the witch can better invest. not a deal breaker for the hexcrafter, since things like evil eye can work on a fail... still...
One thing about magus that makes me nervous is the way they seem to burn through spells so fast. I like the hexcrafter since it gives more options. But my understanding is the hex shorts out the magus abilities (can't hex and attack) I've been meaning to do a full caster hence why I was thinking about the witch. Wasn't thinking about it last night but a shaman might be a good middle ground. Although they seem a bit MAD on stats. But a full caster, decent bab cast in full armor...get some hexes too.
The Magus also should probably invest in con
so you're looking at
Int/Dex/Con
or
Int/Str/Con
As for them running out of spells (which can be a problem) I recommend using Arcane mark when you're not novaing, it is a touch cantrip, so you can do it with spell combat to get 2 attacks at a -2 to hit from level one, good for killing average joes quickly without burning your precious shocking grasps, intensified shocking grasps, maximised intensified shocking grasp, empowered vampire touches, maximised vampire touches, and Rime Chill touch. Plus whatever other kinds ways you crazy kids like to touch people these days.
Hmm am I overlooking something.. add in is the hexcrafter the way to go or is there a better option?