(I already commented this in other thread, though I wanted a thread on its own for it so we can discuss what pros and cons this suggestion has).
I was looking at the Embodiment of Battle focus spell and I thought that... since it gives you a status bonus to attack (and damage) to keep up with martials that nearly follows how a martial would get it's weapon scaling increases ("expert" at 7th level instead of 5th though), why don't make it that you instead use your spell attack roll proficiency with weapons while under the effects of Embodiment of Battle?
At the only point where it would make a difference mechanically would be at 13th level (since currently you would have expert proficiency with a +3 bonus on top of that, while under this proposal you'll stay behind martials till 15th level) and at 19th level (because at that point you will be above msot martials due to legendary proficiency). I also think this is a way more flavorful way to convey mechanically what you are doing at the table, as you will be channeling the apparition's martial prowess through your spellcasting. You would still get the -2 to spell attack modifier and your spell DCs when you actually use them for spells though.
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A major difference it would make mechanically is that it'd no longer be a status bonus, meaning that it would stack with other status bonuses. Status bonuses to hit are fairly plentiful in the system.
Right now, the design intent seems to be that you can approximately match a martial that isn't benefiting from a status bonus, but the martial can still end up ahead if it is getting its own status bonus from somewhere. If that wasn't the intent, then I don't think they would have made the bonus a status bonus in the first place.
Right now, the design intent seems to be that you can approximately match a martial that isn't benefiting from a status bonus, but the martial can still end up ahead if it is getting its own status bonus from somewhere. .
IMO that's kind of janky and not great though, because it means Embodiment of Battle's value ends up being based on what the rest of the party looks like. The easier it is to gain status bonuses for your party, the less useful the effects are.
A major difference it would make mechanically is that it'd no longer be a status bonus, meaning that it would stack with other status bonuses. Status bonuses to hit are fairly plentiful in the system.
Right now, the design intent seems to be that you can approximately match a martial that isn't benefiting from a status bonus, but the martial can still end up ahead if it is getting its own status bonus from somewhere. If that wasn't the intent, then I don't think they would have made the bonus a status bonus in the first place.
Mmm, I guess you are right. The current EoB + GT puts the Animist at Legendary + 1 in accuracy, while under my proposal it would end up at Legendary + 3 due to heroism. I guess if this was limited up to master proficiency it would end up having the same results but it would also be a little clunky as it would restrict legendary for no reason, unless the actual scaling of EoB granted you the proficiencies.
Something like...
EMBODIMENT OF BATTLE [one-action]
[Uncommon] [Animist]
Duration sustained up to 1 minute
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Your apparition guides your attacks and imparts its skill to your movements. For the duration, your proficiency rank with simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks becomes trained, you gain the Reactive Strike reaction (Player Core 138), and you gain the critical specialization effect for any weapon you are wielding when you Cast or Sustain this Spell. The instincts of an apparition of battle run contrary to the use of magic; for the duration of this spell, you take a –2 status penalty to your spell attack modifier and your spell DCs.
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Heigtened (4th) Your proficiency rank with simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increases to expert.
Heigtened (8th) Your proficiency rank with simple weapons, martial weapons, and unarmed attacks increases to master.
The only problem I see with this one is that if other casters can get access to EoB through dipping into Animist then it would become the warpriest cleric's, warrior bard's, and battle oracle's best friend. On the the other hand, this would also give back the damage bonus that EoB normally has through Weapon Specialization.