PFS Unarmed Magus - what's the best option?

[lareman]

So, I have chronicles from an AP to get a character to level 4. I was thinking about making an unarmed Magus, but there seems to be quite a few different options for that. I already made some sample builds, but can't really decide on which to pick. So please help me out, and if you have any experience playing an unarmed Magus, let me know! Right now I'm pretty sure I'll be running with Finesse and an Agile Amulet of MF, since I can afford it right away.

The options are:

Esoteric archetype
+gets scaling unarmed damage
+some more enchant options
-slightly worse spell progression (although spell tattoo feature makes it slightly less bad)
-loses spell recall

Normal magus with IUAS
+full spell progression
-loses a level 1 feat for IUAS

1 level UC Monk dip
+gets flurry; really handy with a spell like frostbite (you lose the charge if spell combating with Arcane Mark, right?)
+some extra saves
+acro and stealth class skills
-loses one level of spell progression

[pbeth]

From the two options you listed, I would go with the Esoteric archetype.

There's another option which may be intriguing to you if you prefer not doing the Esoteric archetype:

You could dip a level into Bloodrager (Blood Conduit archetype, Abyssal bloodline). This would net you Improved Unarmed Strike along with two claw attacks (you can attack with both at highest BAB as a full round action, no flurry needed). Also, since Bloodrager is considered to have a 1:1 caster level (unlike paladin and ranger whose caster levels are -3), you wouldn't lose damage progression with your touch spells. Finally, you get a limited use of Bloodrage, and qualify for the extra rage power feat.

[cavernshark]

pbeth wrote:

You could dip a level into Bloodrager (Blood Conduit archetype, Abyssal bloodline). This would net you Improved Unarmed Strike along with two claw attacks (you can attack with both at highest BAB as a full round action, no flurry needed). Also, since Bloodrager is considered to have a 1:1 caster level (unlike paladin and ranger whose caster levels are -3), you wouldn't lose damage progression with your touch spells. Finally, you get a limited use of Bloodrage, and qualify for the extra rage power feat.

Bloodrager caster level wouldn't stack with Magus caster level and he'd have no spell slots for that level, so it'd be worse than just taking the Monk dip if that was a concern.

A better option might be a dip in brawler. Martial flexibility, plus the unarmed strike feat. Still lose the caster level though.

[Imbicatus]

Another option isn't a magus at all, but it plays like one: Phantom Blade Spiritualist.

You keep the blade harbored in your subconscious, and you basically have black blade progression magic ghost touch unarmed strike that had monk scaling damage. You have spell combat and spell strike. Downsides are you use the spiritualist list instead of magus list and are spontaneous instead of prepared.

[Ascalaphus]

Multiclassing between monk and phantom blade is also a plausible idea. You have two wisdom-based classes, automatic enhancement of your unarmed strikes, great saving throws, Shield and Mage armor spells - makes for a very tanky monk.