Hello all, I just have a few questions or clarifications to make in regards to how the Mindblade's weapon manifesting interacts with the spell Storm of Blades.
A mindblade gains a psychic pool, similar to a normal magus's arcane pool. At 1st level, a mindblade can expend 1 point from her psychic pool as a standard action to manifest a light melee weapon of her choice, formed from psychic energy. By spending 2 points, the mindblade can manifest a one-handed melee weapon, and by spending 3 points, she can manifest a two-handed melee weapon (but not a double weapon). This psychic weapon can last indefinitely, but it vanishes if it leaves the mindblade's hand. The mindblade can dismiss a held psychic weapon as a free action. When a psychic weapon vanishes, the mindblade regains the psychic energy used to create it. She can maintain only one weapon at a time.
At 1st level, a psychic weapon counts as a magic weapon of whatever type the mindblade selected, with a +1 enhancement bonus. At 3rd level and every 3 levels thereafter, the weapon's enhancement bonus increases by 1, up to maximum of +5 at 12th level. Starting at 5th level, the mindblade can add any of the weapon special abilities listed in the arcane pool class feature in place of these bonuses, although the weapon must maintain at least a +1 bonus to benefit from any weapon special abilities. At 15th and 18th levels, the weapon gains an additional +1 enhancement bonus, which the mindblade can spend only on weapon special abilities.
My first question is whether the mindblade's manifested weapon can serve as the material component for the spell Storm of Blades?
Secondly, can a mindblade summon a weapon of any size? I don't see anything in the text that limits it's size like almost every other weapon manifesting ability. This ties into my last question.
Third, if yes to the first two questions, could a mindblade manifest a colossal weapon and use it as a material component to summon and attack with 5 colossal sized weapons?
Thank you.
My first question is whether the mindblade's manifested weapon can serve as the material component for the spell Storm of Blades?
As long as they manifest a sword, yes.
Secondly, can a mindblade summon a weapon of any size? I don't see anything in the text that limits it's size like almost every other weapon manifesting ability. This ties into my last question.
No, they can manifest light, one-handed, and two-handed weapons. In this context, determining if a weapon is light, one-handed, or two-handed is tied directly to the magus' size. That is, a medium magus could manifest a large dagger as a one-handed weapon rather than a light one but not a colossal anything because it would go above two-handed.
Third, if yes to the first two questions, could a mindblade manifest a colossal weapon and use it as a material component to summon and attack with 5 colossal sized weapons?
Why not just buy a colossal sword as a focus component if this is what you're getting at? It skips a step (though I can probably guess the answer already since this looks like a Fate/Stay cosplay).
No, they can manifest light, one-handed, and two-handed weapons. In this context, determining if a weapon is light, one-handed, or two-handed is tied directly to the magus' size. That is, a medium magus could manifest a large dagger as a one-handed weapon rather than a light one.
How do I tell if the ability is calling for the interpretation you've provided vs the standard weapon tiering that uses the same wording?
Why not just buy a colossal sword as a focus component if this is what you're getting at? It skips a step (though I can probably guess the answer already since this looks like a Fate/Stay cosplay).
The spell calls for a material component, not a focus component, so you'd have to provide one every time you cast. Furthermore, there aren't a lot of great ways to transport a weapon of that size so being able to call one to your hand is a great benefit as far as versatility is concerned. Also I've never seen the Fate/Stay series.
On the other hand, if you enlarged yourself, you could make the sword larger (although not all the way to Colossal -- I think the most you can get with Magus spellcasting is Huge, via Beast Shape III or IV, Monstrous Physique III or IV, or Undead Anatomy III, and none of these stack with any other magic that enlarges you).
How do I tell if the ability is calling for the interpretation you've provided vs the standard weapon tiering that uses the same wording?
Because a colossal dagger isn't a light weapon unless you're a colossal creature? The biggest damage dice you'll be getting as a medium creature are 2d8 by exploiting the fact that a bastard sword is both a one-handed and two-handed weapon. Its 1d10 damage dice jumps to 2d8 after a size increase, rather than 2d6.
The spell calls for a material component, not a focus component, so you'd have to provide one every time you cast.
Wow, you're right. I had assumed that even the resident devteam soothsayer wouldn't be so stupid as to create a spell that annihilates swords for a handful of crappy attacks, yet here we are.
Furthermore, there aren't a lot of great ways to transport a weapon of that size so being able to call one to your hand is a great benefit as far as versatility is concerned.
I'd question the versatility of a weapon that your character literally can't wield, even if they could summon it instantly.
Also, Shrinking.
Because a colossal dagger isn't a light weapon unless you're a colossal creature? The biggest damage dice you'll be getting as a medium creature are 2d8 by exploiting the fact that a bastard sword is both a one-handed and two-handed weapon. Its 1d10 damage dice jumps to 2d8 after a size increase, rather than 2d6.
Ah, I'd always interpreted it that each weapon was 'set' in it's designation, like a greatsword is classified as a two-handed weapon in the same way it's classified as a martial weapon, and that using a small greatsword meant that you were "effectively" wielding it as a one-handed weapon. So does that mean a tiny sized greatsword can be finessed, with a -4 penalty?
I'd question the versatility of a weapon that your character literally can't wield, even if they could summon it instantly.
Also, Shrinking.
I agree that summoning a colossal weapon wouldn't have much versatility outside of this specific spell. Also, shrinking would work, but it runs into the whole material component problem where you'd be spending 3000+ gp per cast.
How do I tell if the ability is calling for the interpretation you've provided vs the standard weapon tiering that uses the same wording?Because a colossal dagger isn't a light weapon unless you're a colossal creature? The biggest damage dice you'll be getting as a medium creature are 2d8 by exploiting the fact that a bastard sword is both a one-handed and two-handed weapon. Its 1d10 damage dice jumps to 2d8 after a size increase, rather than 2d6.
The spell calls for a material component, not a focus component, so you'd have to provide one every time you cast.Wow, you're right. I had assumed that even the resident devteam soothsayer wouldn't be so stupid as to create a spell that annihilates swords for a handful of crappy attacks, yet here we are.
{. . .}
Arguably, you might not get the Psychic Pool points back for creating the now-spell-consumed Mindblade as you do when it disappears normally.
Because a colossal dagger isn't a light weapon unless you're a colossal creature? The biggest damage dice you'll be getting as a medium creature are 2d8 by exploiting the fact that a bastard sword is both a one-handed and two-handed weapon. Its 1d10 damage dice jumps to 2d8 after a size increase, rather than 2d6.Ah, I'd always interpreted it that each weapon was 'set' in it's designation, like a greatsword is classified as a two-handed weapon in the same way it's classified as a martial weapon, and that using a small greatsword meant that you were "effectively" wielding it as a one-handed weapon. So does that mean a tiny sized greatsword can be finessed, with a -4 penalty?
Actually, after looking through the forums it looks like there is a lot of contention about a weapon's "true handedness" vs it's "effective handedness", like this thread, for example.
This is probably a long shot, but did Paizo every release any rulings on this?
Ah, I'd always interpreted it that each weapon was 'set' in it's designation, like a greatsword is classified as a two-handed weapon in the same way it's classified as a martial weapon, and that using a small greatsword meant that you were "effectively" wielding it as a one-handed weapon. So does that mean a tiny sized greatsword can be finessed, with a -4 penalty?
Yes.
Actually, after looking through the forums it looks like there is a lot of contention about a weapon's "true handedness" vs it's "effective handedness", like this thread, for example.
I also abuse this loophole to apply Effortless Lace to a Large Bastard Sword (which would remain a one-handed weapon for large creatures).
There's a lot of context that goes into it. For example, a lance can be wielded in one-hand while mounted, yet remains a two-handed weapon. Similarly, a longsword can be wielded in two-hands for the benefit of Power Attack, but still remains a one-handed weapon.
With that in mind there are basically two ways to rule your original question: the magus can manifest any size/type of weapon as long as it can ultimately be wielded as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon OR the magus can only manifest light, one-handed, or two-handed weapons of their own size category.
I'm a more liberal GM and I prefer the former for adding flexibility, but there is merit to the other ruling.
This is probably a long shot, but did Paizo every release any rulings on this?
Lol, no. This specific thing will probably never get dev input. Ask your GM how they want to run it, and while you're there ask them to change the material component from Storm of Blades to a focus component. Also, ask your GM if you can happen to use 3pp because a Psychic Armory Soulknife would be a lot easier to do than this.
Thank you for this, I was revisiting that archetype last night and I am wanting to make a Tien character who can manifest the focused totality of her psionic powers.