If the current Striking Spell stays, could we have Eldritch Knight?


Magus Class


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Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Disclaimer I do not like Striking Spell in its current iteration and think it is a subpar ability. I also believe the Magus to be barely functional as a class. I would rather see it fixed and made consistent and workable as it should

Even though my own personal take would be to have it allow spell attacks made through it to have the same result as the melee Strikes that deliver them, I do acknowledge the concerns of many regarding the alleged power budget of the class and its versatility.

With that in mind If striking spell remains the same - ish, I would like to suggest that Paizo creates an Eldritch Knight archetype that works as the melee version of the Eldritch Archer.

Although I haven't put much thought to it, Eldritch Shot could become Eldritch Strike and most other abilities be transposed to a melee focused build.

It would also make it a compeling choice for Magi wanting to change their action economy and to gain more slots while deeply focusing on delivering spells through their weaponry.

Assuming Paizo chooses to keep its current design, what would you (those that, like myself, expected more of the class and those that stand by its current iteration) think of it?


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Pathfinder Adventure, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

At this point I think I'd prefer just an Eldritch Knight archtype.

I had played my 1e magus with less emphasis on trying to get the most out of spellstrike and more about being ok in combat and having some spells for utility or ranged attacks. With PF2 I was really just looking to see if they could create a 50/50 gish that DnD's editions really never seemed to get right and opened up more possibilities than the scimitar wielding shocking grasp build.

This playtest magus seems more like a bloodrager or that 1e Child of Acavna and Amaznen fighter archtype. I just remade my old 1e magus PCs into wiz/fighter and other multiclass builds as I don't see this playtest magus as all that interesting

Instead of losing low level spell slots, it'd probably be better to see all focus spells and some abilities to buff a sword.

Maybe they should go nuts and make the magus a type summoner who's eidolon is a weapon like the Phantom Blade Spiritualist was. Would probably hit all the points of the steelbound/bladebound archtypes that haven't made it to PF2


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Just going to point out, swapping Eldritch Shot to Eldritch Strike, the latter should get some sort of bonus. There's a big advantage of Eldritch Shot that would be lost.

Free "reach" metamagic: your spell's range is now your bow's range. Even for touch spells.

So, as a melee variant would instead be reducing your range on any spell to melee, rather than increasing your range, it should get something else to compensate.


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Ressy wrote:

Just going to point out, swapping Eldritch Shot to Eldritch Strike, the latter should get some sort of bonus. There's a big advantage of Eldritch Shot that would be lost.

Free "reach" metamagic: your spell's range is now your bow's range. Even for touch spells.

So, as a melee variant would instead be reducing your range on any spell to melee, rather than increasing your range, it should get something else to compensate.

Like ... better hit chance via flanking? Significantly higher base damage on the Strike part of the action? Something like that? ;-)

On a more serious note, a 3 action melee attack of any kind is often hard to pull off. At the very least some option to make a Step before attacking should be included. Or maybe a Stride up to half your speed.


I think making it a 3-action requirement for melee is not the best call, unless it always comes with some sort of free action. Preferably Step/Stride, though I could also see free shield raise or other defensive action as an option for some synergies.

Personally I'd just make it 2 actions and call it a day.

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