Something to keep in mind when fixing the Magus

[Capn Cupcake]

Striking Spell has to be better than attacking twice. At least in some regard or fashion. Things like applying True Strike to the spell attack or giving your weapon's item bonus to the spell don't fundamentally fix all the issues associated with it. In either case it's still mathematically superior to just attack twice with an agile weapon either due to action economy, damage on cantrips, or both. Applying the weapon's item bonus to the spell's attack rolls doesn't fix it's accuracy, it just brings it up to par with Wizards *which are already inaccurate with spell attacks*. Wizards get around this by casting true strike and then swinging so it's a pretty logical conclusion to come to as well, but with a Magus's extremely limited 4 spell slots (6 with a feat) you don't have the resources to expend on True Strike in that manner and you certainly don't want to be true striking a cantrip anyway.

I'm all for brainstorming some potential ideas to fix Striking Spell but, fundamentally, whatever the fix is it has to be better than just swinging twice so the Magus is motivated to actually utilize its core mechanic.

To get the discussion started, I posted this yesterday but the thread got buried so I'm reposting it. Here's my current idea on fixing Striking Spell.

Striking Spell: It now only applies to spells with attack rolls but the strike automatically applies the spell a la Eldritch Archer. This removes the weird crit reliance it has in its current iteration and actually gives the class some oomph for spending all three actions towards a single benefit. It also leads me nicely into my next fix which is

Rend Magical Defenses: Whenever you successfully Strike an enemy, they take a -2 Status penalty to the next spell you cast before the end of your next turn. Basically Magical Flatfooted. This brings saving spells in line with other casters without exceeding them (it might at a few levels but they're outliers) and creates a very nice through line from Striking Spell, and what's even better is either side can be ignored or focused on as you please. You can focus strictly on attack spells via Striking Spell, focus squarely on AoE and debuff spells with Rend Magical Defenses, or combine the two with something that looks like Cast Striking Spell > Strike *next turn* Cast Saving Throw spell.

[WWHsmackdown]

As far as cantrips are concerned it should be closer to power attack than striking twice bc of riders and elemental damage.....but yes, spellstrike should definitely be easier to set up and land more reliably

[Capn Cupcake]

WWHsmackdown wrote:

As far as cantrips are concerned it should be closer to power attack than striking twice bc of riders and elemental damage.....but yes, spellstrike should definitely be easier to set up and land more reliably

The reason I'm comparing it to attacking twice is because those are the options you have as a Magus. 2 actions to attack twice, leaving a 3rd action for something else or using all 3 actions on something that is already worse than attacking twice. Until that fundamental issue is fixed Striking Spell will never be worth using.

[Martialmasters]

WWHsmackdown wrote:

As far as cantrips are concerned it should be closer to power attack than striking twice bc of riders and elemental damage.....but yes, spellstrike should definitely be easier to set up and land more reliably

I disagree. Power attack is something you take willingly. It is a cherry. That thing that's your option but not your build.

Spell strike is your build as a Magus. Evident by every feat level, specialization, and features giving you options with spell strike.

Spell strike should never be power attack that is a niche maneuver. Not a play style or a core feature.

[WWHsmackdown]

Martialmasters wrote:

WWHsmackdown wrote:

As far as cantrips are concerned it should be closer to power attack than striking twice bc of riders and elemental damage.....but yes, spellstrike should definitely be easier to set up and land more reliably

I disagree. Power attack is something you take willingly. It is a cherry. That thing that's your option but not your build.

Spell strike is your build as a Magus. Evident by every feat level, specialization, and features giving you options with spell strike.

Spell strike should never be power attack that is a niche maneuver. Not a play style or a core feature.

I don't disagree. I'm just coming from the angle I think will bring people to the negotiating table. There's a lot of pushback to spellstrike being two actions and requiring one roll. Nerfing damage is the easiest way to bring them around

[drakinar 451]

I agree that spell strike has to be better than attacking twice. Personally I would like to see:
1- 1 attack roll using int to hit (not damage)
2- energized blade becoming a base magus ability to compensate for making Str a low priority stat. (Energized blade, plus magus potency, plus most cantrips add casting stat to damage is a fair chunk).

Keep in mind by 6th level you will have striking runes and cantrips doing 3d4 + int plus 2 energized blade. I don’t think the Magus will fall behind in damage at that point. But overall the spell strike needs to be simplified if for no other reason class playability and not having to roll multiple times just to initiate an ability.

But also take into account that magus potency is an action as is energized blades. So we will have a round start up before we can really do much. Ramp up time sucks to play regardless of class.

[Kalaam]

I think the mechanic of Striking Spell as it is (maybe with few tweaks like allowing any spell to be used "normaly" after landing a strike) has a place in the Magus' kit. Just rename it Spell Combat, a way for a Magus to use spells he set up earlier within his 3 actions of a turn to open possibilities exclusive to a Magus.

Then introduce a better Spell Striking.