RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Well, looks like you've got a solid build.
Barbarian rage is ok since you decide when to use it (so don't use it when you've got more spells to cast); bloodrager (with the Mad Magic feat) would be even better.
Dragon disciple is not a good pick on a Magus, because Magus class features are generally better and honestly DD doesn't do all that much. Going straight Magus also allows you to pick a better bloodline for the ES (e.g. Aberrant, Arcane, or Destined are all much better than Draconic).
Something cool to look at that is fairly new is the expemlar trait for magic traits. It will allow you to take magical knack and other magic traits while giving your the ability to use metamagic with spell combat a few times per day.
Can't the Additional Traits feat be taken after level 1?
You can, but he'd need to take the feat twice to do what baggageboy describes, which is a pretty heavy feat tax and not really realistic if he can't retrain.
It is and it isn't. By spending 1 feat to pick up the exemplar trait you get 2 uses per day. Every additional magic trait you have adds an additional use per day. So if you already have a magic trait and you take "curator of mystic secrets" (the magic exemplar trait) you can use metamagic with normal spell casting time 3 times per day.
However, you also need to have a metamagic feat you'd like to use, which you probably don't already have if you hadn't planned to use this.
I was more referring that if you wanted to take Magical Knack as well, you would need to take the feat twice (once for Curator, once for Knack). Of course, the metamagic point is a legitimate one as well.
If you were to rebuild this from 1st level you could take Curator in the place of your two free traits at character creation, then take Additional Traits a single time to take both Magical Knack and Magical Lineage. Definitely a lot smoother if building from the ground up.
If you are going to go all in on shocking grasp metafocus and eventually spell perfection are a better route. If you just want to be able to use metamagic on the fly with whatever spells you have the curator of mystic secrets is more flexible. Also it allows you to pick up some really awesome things through traits.
I had another thought. It's also a bit heavy for investment, but it might be worth it to you, it depends. If instead of barbarian you were to take bloodrager you could pick up arcane srike->riving strike, and blooded arcane strike. This would leave you free to use swift actions while benefiting from riving strike. Hit once to apply the saves penelty, swift action to cast a spell then deliver it, cast a spell with spell combat and deliver that, then finish your full attack.
Pretty heavy investment, but a -2 to saves is pretty nice, plus extra damage doesn't hurt
Well, you can still use riving strike, but you won't be able to get two spells off with it in a single round. Might be worth it, might not. Arcane strike itself is kinda redundant with arcane pool, and you already have an enchanted weapon, but it will still add damage. You have to decide it it's worth it to you so have the -2 to saves. Since you aren't focusing on shocking grasp maybe? It's less restricted than say spell focus in what spells you can apply it to, but you have to hit before you get the benefit.
Oh dang, that's really high. You might want to talk with your GM so see if losing the ego battle would be considered a mind effecting, charm, or a compulsion effect. If it's either of the last two additional traits for irrepressible(faith) and magical knack(magic) would be a good choice. If it's the mind effecting but not the others maybe take steadfast personality.
Also consider iron will and improved iron will. Being a GM plaything because you lost an ego battle is no fun.