Card Caster Magus Build Help

[Minigiant]

Hi Everyone
I have a player wanting to play a card caster Magus but, is worried that on the surface at least, it doesn't do much damage

What would you suggest? What feats?

Throwing builds are pretty feat intensive so a Human is almost a requirement. I suggested pairing it with Hexcrafter archetype, and go for a more debuff style. I have even thought about maybe a dip into Far Strik Monk to relieve a lot of the feat intensiveness but, I have not suggested that

I would love to hear what you think?

[avr]

You can use card caster with a deck of cards which get 1d4 damage, but most of it works with a chakram (1d8) if you prefer. Of course if using a deck of cards as a weapon is the point that won't help.

There's also just building to max damage with the spell carried by the cards rather than worrying about the weapon/card damage. A shocking grasp magus can do plenty of damage so long as they have spell slots. Not taking hexcrafter helps here, spell recall gives you more actual spells you can cast.

If you consider dipping you might consider a different class entirely, e.g. cartomancer witch going into eldritch knight.

[Kurald Galain]

Minigiant wrote:

I have a player wanting to play a card caster Magus but, is worried that on the surface at least, it doesn't do much damage

Well the main point of the Card Caster is that it can use touch-range spells at thrown range; so that makes it a natural debuffer.

That said, if you want damage, then simply using Frostbite or (Intensified) Shocking Grasp is going to be fine. Optionally, dip a level into orc/draconic Sorcerer for a big damage boost. I'm not seeing the point of Far Strike Monk; you basically only need Point Blank and Precise Shot to get the build going, and Magus already gets bonus feats by himself.

Regarding feats, check this handbook.

[Minigiant]

Kurald Galain wrote:

Minigiant wrote:

I have a player wanting to play a card caster Magus but, is worried that on the surface at least, it doesn't do much damage

Well the main point of the Card Caster is that it can use touch-range spells at thrown range; so that makes it a natural debuffer.

That said, if you want damage, then simply using Frostbite or (Intensified) Shocking Grasp is going to be fine. Optionally, dip a level into orc/draconic Sorcerer for a big damage boost. I'm not seeing the point of Far Strike Monk; you basically only need Point Blank and Precise Shot to get the build going, and Magus already gets bonus feats by himself.

Regarding feats, check this handbook.

For quick draw

A level 1 Human Far Strike Monk can start with

Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, and another feat like Rapid Shot or Deadly Aim. Allowing the Startoss feat line to start at level 3 easy enough

[Kurald Galain]

Well you didn't mention Startoss before :)

But this is not such a great combo: you can't use Harrowed Spellstrike at the same time as Startoss Comet.

[Zwordsman]

I kind of quick skimmed but. You're wanting to debuff with your cards?
Not really specifically use them for your weapon?

You could look at Talisman Crafter Occultist. THey can throw their spells (As well as hand them out). Not sure if the spell list will work with what you want though.
Doesn't have spell striking though.