During the playtest, I have seen this community divided as to what to do with Striking Spell. Some disliked its two roll system regarding spell attacks and the majority of the posters I engaged with seemed to advocate for Striking Spell to tie the result of spell attacks (those that require an attack roll) to the result of the Magus' martial attack with save spells working the same way they already do.
Opposed to them, a few users argued that the fact that the Magus could hold the charge for a second round could potentially be overpowered or that a one roll engine did not seem necessary. I have also seen an argument that folding the whole process into a single three action activity was not ideal to be a class' base routine.
Seeing valid points on both sides, my table has come up with a feat that is basically the Eldritch Archer's Eldritch Shot, except that it applies for the Magus' melee attacks as well:
Eldritch Strike (3 actions, Magus, Feat 6):
Effect: You Cast a Spell that takes 1 or 2 actions to cast and requires a spell attack roll. The effects of the spell do not occur immediately but are imbued into the weapon you are wielding or your own body. Make a Strike. Your spell is discharged with it, using your attack roll result to determine the effects of both the Strike and the spell. This counts as two attacks for your multiple attack penalty, but you don't apply the penalty until after you've completed both attacks.
Its merits are:
- It's entirely optional, so those that enjoy the crit-fishing aspect of Striking Spell can keep it and Striking Spell remains the same for Magi delivering save spells.
- It does not replace Striking Spell, neither does it stack with it, so there's two approaches for a Magus wanting to deliver an attack spell: they can go the Striking Spell route with the two rolls but a second round of delivery attempts or the Eldritch Strike route with a single turn activity.
- It also deals with Eldritch Archer being 'mandatory' for shooting star Magi.
- There is an issue of the Magus not being able to Stride with the 3 action requirement. Maybe that could be a balancing point or the ability itself could allow for a half speed stride. I still don't know about that.