Ectoplasmatist Spiritualist Questions

[Wayne Bradbury]

1) Can an Ectoplasmatist take Weapon Focus (ectoplasmic lash)?

2) Assuming Weapon Focus works, can he use Slashing Grace with the lashes, so long as they are manifested as a light or one-handed slashing weapon?

3) Can he use Slashing Grace with Spiritual Combat? I'm sure most people will have a first reaction of no, but it's important to note that a) Spiritual Combat is not worded the same way as Spell Combat and makes absolutely no mention of your other hand being occupied, and casting a psychic spell does not require any hands, and b) the Slashing Grace FAQ calls out Spell Combat specifically but not Spiritual Combat, and Spiritual Combat makes no references to functioning like Spell Combat, or TWF, or anything similar.

[Craig Bertuglia]

I would say this FAQ seems to support Weapon Focus:

http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9nef

Therefore yes to Slashing Grace and if you can use them in Spiritual Combat I would say yes in a homebrew game and defer to the Venture Officer on hand in organised play.

[graystone]

1) yes
2) yes
3) yes, as it has NO reference to two weapon fighting or free hands like spell combat does.

PS: psychic spells not needing hands doesn't matter as magus spells without somatic components STILL require a free hand in spell combat.

[Serisan]

Well hell, this makes me feel bad that I have a 25 STR ectoplasmatist.

[Wayne Bradbury]

While discussing this with a local VA, it was pointed out to me that nothing in the Ectoplasmic Lash ability says that the ectoplasmatist is proficient with them. Which is his argument for not allowing this.

So... That's problematic.