In my opinion (which you should feel free to disagree with) there are two parts to a satisfying Magus class:
- Being able to go nova
- Having loads of utility
With these two points Magus play has them doing less damage on a regular round than the other martials while staying relevant thanks to their utility (things like mobility with jump, getting at least one strike in with true strike, tanking with mirror image etc.), and they can really bring the hurt when needed by going nova.
What governs going nova is of course Spell Strike and the small number of high level spells. What about the utility?
One option is to change the way they get slots, but that can cause too many (albeit smaller) nova resources, not to mention that such a slot structure may not fit other "half caster" plans.
My suggestion is not to look to the wizard with their many slots, but to the cleric with their many heals - the Combat Font. The Combat Font is a number of additional slots equal to 1+Int which are reserved to utility spells. These slots can be used to cast a small number of utility spells determined either by some subclass structure or by nonexclusive class feat trees.
For example a "movement Magus" might get Jump at level 1, Spider Climb at 3, nothing at 5 (because of heightened), Fly at 7 etc.
A "defense Magus" might get Mage Armor, Mirror Image, Spell Immunity and so forth.
A "polymorph Magus" can get the shape spells.
True Strike should probably be on its own tree, since it's so good for a martial.
I think this kind of approach can give the Magus a more magical feel while keeping it out of other casters' niches. It also has the added benefit of keeping Int relevant if they remove the spell attack from Spell Strike.
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It could work as a font.
I think true strike needs to be taken off the table as much as possible, though, and if a font direction is taken then it shouldn't be available as part of the bonus spells. In most circumstances for a class that has solid proficiencies and (at least right now) scales with the ability to crit fish, it's the best option by far.
Having mage armor, jump, longstrider, endure elements, etc. as a specific pool would be a good amount of utility, and would be "battle mage" spells that aren't increasing output on their own. You get the specific utility that a battle mage would want, while leaving the more general utility to full casters.
I've also been thinking that keeping your lower level slots but being restricted to a certain spell list for them would also work. That is, once you get to 5th level your 1st level slots can only be used for a list including mage armor, jump, etc. Then you still have "slots" that scale.
I think true strike needs to be taken off the table as much as possible, though, and if a font direction is taken then it shouldn't be available as part of the bonus spells. In most circumstances for a class that has solid proficiencies and (at least right now) scales with the ability to crit fish, it's the best option by far.
True strike is incredibly powerful, but every other gish build has better access to it. I don't want to see all Magi pushed into MC or divine staff shenanigans. The true strike cat is out of the bag, let's at least make sure it doesn't ruin the furniture. Not to mention that the other font in the game is heal, which is also very strong.
I do agree that there is a risk that true strike will eek every other option out, either in feat choices or in font use choices. Feat choices can be solved by giving true strike a big opportunity cost, bundling other options into higher value feats, or by giving it to all Magi by default. How dominant true strike is in point use will greatly depend on the form of striking spell.
I think true strike needs to be taken off the table as much as possible, though, and if a font direction is taken then it shouldn't be available as part of the bonus spells. In most circumstances for a class that has solid proficiencies and (at least right now) scales with the ability to crit fish, it's the best option by far.
True strike is incredibly powerful, but every other gish build has better access to it. I don't want to see all Magi pushed into MC or divine staff shenanigans. The true strike cat is out of the bag, let's at least make sure it doesn't ruin the furniture. Not to mention that the other font in the game is heal, which is also very strong.
I do agree that there is a risk that true strike will eek every other option out, either in feat choices or in font use choices. Feat choices can be solved by giving true strike a big opportunity cost, bundling other options into higher value feats, or by giving it to all Magi by default. How dominant true strike is in point use will greatly depend on the form of striking spell.
Yes, and the heal font is so strong as to be practically class-defining, and that's for a reactive tool (unless you're obliterating undead).
Feats that expand the font could work, though if it's one feat I don't see too much of an opportunity cost there. I think most people would jump at the opportunity to pick up 3+ extra true strike casts per day.
And the true strike cat isn't really out of the bag. You can put it back in with a [Fortune] tag on Striking Spell, or otherwise make it so it's incompatible with true strike. Which would be my preference, along with removing the crit fishing from Striking Spell to begin with (i.e. a strike can crit, but the underlying spell either automatically hits normally, even on a crit, or still has to be rolled if it's a save).
If the trees are exclusive or have strong prerequisites it would mean taking True Strike could come at the cost of not having Fly for a few level.
Honestly, I'm balancing this against a more melee adjusted Eldritch Shot-like Spell Strike idea (two action activity for one action spell, three action activity for two action spell, doesn't last to next round), meaning having an extra action for True Strike will be rare.
True Strike isn't utility - if it's a font option it's going to be the best damage choice by a long shot. If you're gonna do this, you gotta make damn sure that none of the choices make the Magus hit harder.
Why do people keep talking about the Magus and Utility?
The 1e Magus was not a Utility class. They did not, generally speaking, have utility spells. Check the spell list, anything they had which counted as utility (like Invisibility) was just a combat spell that could be used outside of combat.
The magus is, was, and has always been about spending their magic into the faces of their enemies by hitting them with a stick. With a side of combat buffs.
Now, all that out of the way...
I do like your idea of combat font. I'd prefer to do it somehow via focus spell mechanics, but just getting x free slots per day of some small sub-list, depending on synthesis. Presumably made up primarily of buff spells.
Ah, I see I didn't specify combat utility. I meant 1e things like mirror image and bladed dash, the occasional fly.
Making it part of a synthesis is probably a good idea, helps balance weaker font spell lists with a strong ability.