So... As most of my recent posts have been pointing towards this, I have been in the process of making a Fey-themed Magus character for PFS. I am currently eyeing the Shillelagh Druid spell, along with other Druid themes that would serve as a flavorful crunch to the character along with some minor mechanic benefits that would help me play towards the trickery fey theme.
So far: I've decided that this character will be a Staff Magus/Eldrich Scion that exchanges the 1st Bloodline Power for a Bloodline Familiar. At level 3, I'll be taking Improved Familiar for the Fey template on my Familiar - and upgrading it to Sprite at level 5 and Liminal Sprite at level 7.
Other than that, and the base summary of his Story (Fey Touched), I don't have much planned out on him...
Regarding the Shillelagh spell: There are several options I currently have, each with their own Pros and Cons:
+ Replaces WIS with CHA as Primary Casting Stat
+ 6 plus INT Skill Points instead of 4 plus INT
+ Druidic and Sylvan as a Bonus Language for Free
Cons:
- 1/2 Levels removed from Magus
- Sorcerer Base Attack Bonus (2 levels max)
+ Shillelagh Spontaneous Casting
Cons:
- 1/2 Levels removed from Magus
- WIS Primary Casting Stat
+ Permanent Animal Focus Bonus (Change as Swift-Action)
+ Bonus Combat Feat (At level 2)
Cons:
- 1/2 Levels removed from Magus
- WIS Primary Casting Stat
+ Wood Armor Bonus (+4 Armor for 2-3 Hours)
+ Pai Zin Practitioner Archetype is a good source for self-healing.
Cons:
- 2/3 Levels removed from Magus
+ Free to choose Nature/Lore/Lunar/Ect... Revelations instead of Wood.
+ "Fixes" Dexterity by placing the majority into Charisma focus.
Cons:
- 4 Levels removed from Magus
- No Access to Shillelagh until Level 5 (At the Earliest)
+ Gains a Druid Spell with each new Spell level.
Cons:
- Does not stack with Eldrich Scion.
- Removes key features of the Magus.
+ Can use Druid Spells in the book.
Cons:
- Requires 45 Fame to purchase.
- 38,415 gp cost
+ Cast Shillelagh once per day.
Cons:
- Only can be used once per day.
Personally, I am a fan of the Feyspeaker Druid Archetype dip - which gives me 2-3 uses of the Shillelagh Spell. I also like the Forester Hunter Archetype dip option due to the Animal Aspects which become permanently available for me and can be switched around as a Swift action and Spontaneous Casting. Unfortunately, Hunter is a WIS based caster which means I need at least 11 points in order to make use of Shillelagh.
The Point Buy builds are as followed: (+2 Any, either Human or Half-Elf)
Cha/Wis Casting Classes:
14(16) STR; 12 DEX; 14 CON; 10 INT; 11 WIS; 15 CHA
Cha Focused Casting Class:
14(16) STR; 12 DEX; 14 CON; 10 INT; 8 WIS; 16 CHA
What do you guys think? Any advice or opinions on a Fey-based Magus that walks around with a Quarterstaff and a Fey companion?
an alternative (that may not pay off absolutely immediately) that will let you get away without a dip would be throwing points into UMD and taking the wand wielder arcana, then just using a wand of shillelagh. the 1 minute duration is more than enough for lower levels. I dont unfortunately see a ton of great options at higher levels, but it falls off as a spell you'd want to cast at that point anyways, in favor of group buffs or things like fly and other stuff that becomes more important. you can always buy the magic items you found later on and such.
that being said, UMD ranks are rarely wasted, if you're going primarily as a cha based caster anyways.
not the most optimal solution in some ways, but allowing you to continue your spell progression without delay isnt something to scoff at either.
@Weables: While UMD would be something interesting to look into, it isn't really the basket that I'm looking to put my eggs into. But I can see the allure it would have in order to keep my Caster Level high without dipping elsewhere.
@Firebug: If I was going to the UMD route, I would definitely say Wand Key Ring "Shillelagh" would be worth the cost. I'll probably add a few Pro-Con boxes below to weight the benefit of each of them again with a little more detail and context to each option. (Also: I admit that I'm guilty for this, but I was in fact looking at the Oaken Staff for this build. <3)
Technically; this character IS a replacement for my previous Concordance of Elements character after he kicked the bucket (may he rest in peace), so Planar Focus would make sense fluff wise for his connection to the Concordance.
I hadn't seen the Voice of the Wild or Fey Trickster Archetypes when I was searching for options. I had searched "Druid Spell" when locating these options, looks like I missed out on all the "Druid and Ranger" options. lol
+ (Level 1+) Learns one Druid Spell that is added to the Bardic Spell list.
+ (Level 1+) Charisma based Caster class with Bardic Spell list.
+ (Level 1+) 6+INT Skill Points.
Cons:
- (Level 1+) Decreases the Caster Level and Spell Progression for the Magus class.
- (Level 1+) Bardic Knowledge is nerfed into Wild Knowledge with no benefits.
- (Level 1+) Bardic Performance does not work well or benefit this build.
- (Level 2+) Versatile Performance has been replaced with this Archetype.
- (Level 1+) Doesn't fit with the Character Theme as well as other options.
+ (Level 1+) Charisma based Caster class with Druid/Ranger Spell list.
+ (Level 1+) Gains the Mesmerist's "Stare" and "Painful Stare" mechanics.
+ (Level 1+) Gains 1 or 2 Mesmerist Tricks which buff with flavorful effects.
+ (Level 1+) 6+INT Skill Points.
+ (Level 2+) Resist Nature's Lure, Woodland Strike, and count as both Human and Fey.
+ (Level 1+) Fits the character's theme better than some other options.
Cons:
- (Level 1+) Decreases the Caster Level and Spell Progression for the Magus class.
- (Level 2+) Towering Ego has been replaced with this Archetype.
- (Level 2+) Woodland Strike makes the 4th level Bloodline Power obsolete.
+ (Level 1+) Charisma based Caster class with Druid/Ranger Spell list.
+ (Level 1+) Gains the Sylvan Language for free, and only way to gain Druidic Language.
+ (Level 1+) Nature Bond gives a Cleric/Druid Domain for extra flexibility and flavor.
+ (Level 1+) Wild Empathy and Wild Bluff gives unique options for Animal based encounters.
+ (Level 1+) 6+INT Skill Points.
+ (Level 2+) Woodland Strike removes undergrowth difficult terrain.
+ (Level 1+) Fits the character's theme better than some other options.
Cons:
- (Level 1+) Decreases the Caster Level and Spell Progression of the Magus Class.
- (Level 2+) Does not give Fey type or Resist Nature's Lure (compared to Fey Trickster).
- (Level 2+) Woodland Strike makes the 4th level Bloodline Power obsolete.
- (Level 3+) Advances Base Attack bonus at the same rate as a Sorcerer.
+ (Level 1+) Permanent Animal Focus instead of an Animal Companion.
+ (Level 1+) Qualifies for Planar Focus at Level 5.
+ (Level 2+) Gains a Bonus Combat Feat.
Cons:
- WIS Primary Casting Stat
Cons:
- (Level 1+) Decreases the Caster Level and Spell Progression of the Magus Class.
- (Level 1+) Wisdom based Caster Class with Druid/Ranger Spell list.
- (Level 1+) Only gains the Wild Empathy feature (compared to Feyspeaker).
- (Level 1+) Doesn't fit with the Character Theme as well as other options.
+ (Level 1+) Can cast Shillelagh without decreasing Magus Levels.
+ (Level 1+) Use Magic Device Ranks uses Charisma Modifier.
Cons:
- (Level 1+) Requires additional purchases/levels to activate reliably.
- (Level 1+) Costs 750g to refresh the wand for 50 charges.
- (Level 1+) ONLY gives Shillelagh (No other Class Features/Options).
- (Level 1+) Doesn't fit with the Character Theme as well as other options.
Using the above information to compare the pros and cons of each option... I'm starting to lean towards a 1 to 2 level dip into either Fey Trickster Mesmerist or Feyspeaker Druid. The Mesmerist gives a lot of flavor options using the Mesmerist Tricks, while the Feyspeaker gives me 2 languages for free (1 of which cannot be obtained through other means) and more social options with animals. The Forester Hunter looks fun, but it doesn't fit the theme of what I'm going for.
What do you guys think? Comparing the pros and cons of each listed above? I know the Wands are good, but there are other class features I'm looking at that help enhance the flavor for this character.
The green scourge druid could probably lose prepared magus spells to cast shillelagh/flame blade. A shame you want the eldritch scion archetype
Aside from that, I think a one level dip into fey trickster mesmerist would work best. It lets you use wands as well so the minimal spell slots shouldn't be an issue, and it comes with some neat tricks.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to play this character for this week's low-level game. I'll probably be able to play next week, but I was thinking of going pure Fey Trickster Mesmerist with the Familiar Bond feats.
Honestly, the only reason I was going Magus was for the Fey Bloodline (Free Familiar with the Fascinate class feature as if it had a Bard class equal to my level and using my Charisma for its DC), and the fact that Spell Combat/Spellstrike is really good for combat focused magic characters. The idea was to take druid spells for a Shillelagh Magus, but having mixed feelings.
I wish there was a Mesmerist archetype that stacked with Fey Trickster that gave Spell Combat. lol
A little out there, I know Gnome would be more Fey thematic, but...
Halfling. With the knotted strap sacred keepsake, you could cast Shillelagh on a sling or on a club or quarterstaff. Plus they have the advantage of being a +CHA race.
Not entirely certain if this is PFS legal (I don't play society), but it is an alternative use for the spell itself.