[PF]Spellblade Magus

[Rhaegar14]

So I was looking at classes for a PF campaign I have coming up, and it abruptly occurred to me that a Magus/Rogue Arcane Trickster would synergize fairly well and also be pretty fun to play.

Looking through archetypes, I stumbled across Spellblade, and thought to myself, "Man, this might be really good. TWF synergizes very well with Sneak Attack." But it costs the Magus Spellstrike, which is also a very strong class feature (especially when it allows spells to crit and I plan on using an eventually-keen scimitar). But looking at the Magus' spell allotment, I'm wondering if, especially at lower levels, the more consistent benefit of the Force Athame is going to be better than Spellstrike.

The campaign is expected to run from level 5 to 15. My build is going to go Magus 5/Rogue 3/Arcane Trickster X (I say X because it might not end exactly at 15). I'm taking Dervish Dance, Improved Familiar (with the Familiar Magus Arcana, so I have a flanker at all times) and metamagic, along with TWF if I end up going the Spellblade route.

Your thoughts, Playground?

[Blyte]

I'd suggest ninja over rogue, but you might be subject to Psylocke copyright infringement.

[Rhaegar14]

Why would Ninja be better than Rogue? Ninja's Ki Pool scales off Charisma, which is a dump stat for a Magus; their casting runs off Intelligence. In addition, my DM is fond of traps, and as a result, Trapfinding is desirable over Poison Use.

[Bhaakon]

I'd stick with the normal magus, because using spellstrike is going to get you an extra attack anyway.

That being said, arcane trickster is stuck with d6 hit die and the worst BAB progression, so I don't think it synthesizes well at all with magus. It just doesn't have any business getting as close to melee as a magus or rogue. All it's really good at is sneak attacking with ranged touch/ray spells, so you're not getting anything by going magus over wizard or sorcerer.

[Rhaegar14]

I'd stick with the normal magus, because using spellstrike is going to get you an extra attack anyway.

That being said, arcane trickster is stuck with d6 hit die and the worst BAB progression, so I don't think it synthesizes well at all with magus. It just doesn't have any business getting as close to melee as a magus or rogue. All it's really good at is sneak attacking with ranged touch/ray spells, so you're not getting anything by going magus over wizard or sorcerer.

Wait, really? I thought they got the Rogue Hit Die and BAB. *Double-checks.*

... I'm sad now.

[Bhaakon]

Yeah, bummed me out too.

[Drothmal]

Maybe using the myrmidarch archetype? I'm not very familiar with arcane trickster, but I know that myrmidarch allows you to use spellstrike with ranged weapons (albeit this is at level 4)

If you go for a ranged sneak attacker, that could work (and you wont' be in melee, so the bad hp is not at bad...)

[grarrrg]

I'm taking Dervish Dance, Improved Familiar (with the Familiar Magus Arcana, so I have a flanker at all times) and metamagic, along with TWF if I end up going the Spellblade route.

You can NOT Two-weapon fight AND use Dervish Dance (at the same time anyway). The feat very explicitly says your non-scimitar hand can NOT be using a Weapon/Shield.

So it's one or the other.

Also, just throwing this out there if you DO decide to go Dervish Dance:
1 level of Dawnflower Dervish Bard nets you Dervish Dance feat for free. This lets you NOT take Weapon Finesse first, don't worry, Dervish Dance says it applies Dex to Damage AND to-hit. You must worship Sarenrae (NG) though.

[Bhaakon]

You can NOT Two-weapon fight AND use Dervish Dance (at the same time anyway). The feat very explicitly says your non-scimitar hand can NOT be using a Weapon/Shield.

There's one possible exception for unarmed strike, since you aren't technically "carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand." It's not worth the feat investment and to-hit penalties for the measly 1d3 damage attack, though.

[Cieyrin]

There's one possible exception for unarmed strike, since you aren't technically "carrying a weapon or shield in your off hand." It's not worth the feat investment and to-hit penalties for the measly 1d3 damage attack, though.

Dip a level of monk and grab Monastic Tradition and a Monk's Robe. Will teach you how to make a manly punch just right.

[Bhaakon]

Unfortunately, you need 3 levels of monk to get still mind before you can take monastic legacy.

[Cieyrin]

Unfortunately, you need 3 levels of monk to get still mind before you can take monastic legacy.

Dip levels, then. 3 levels is still a 'dip' by some definitions.

[grarrrg]

Dip levels, then. 3 levels is still a 'dip' by some definitions.

Than you sir, are most definitely "3 levels".