Unlocking the Arcane Blade: The Definitive Guide to the Best Magus Builds

The question of the “best” Magus build is complex, as it depends heavily on playstyle, campaign setting, and individual preferences. However, if we were to crown a champion, a build centered around a Dexterity-based Magus using a one-handed weapon, focusing on spell combat and Intensified Shocking Grasp, would be a frontrunner. This build leverages the Magus’ core mechanics to maximize both spell damage and melee prowess. It prioritizes mobility and high burst damage potential, leaning into the class’s unique strengths. The synergy between a single powerful spell like Shocking Grasp and rapid weapon attacks makes this build incredibly effective at all stages of the game. Choosing the right race, feats, and gear can further optimize its capabilities, ensuring a potent mix of arcane power and martial skill.

Core Principles of an Optimized Magus

Dexterity Over Strength

While Strength might seem appealing for melee damage, Dexterity is paramount for a Magus. It directly impacts their Armor Class (AC), given their light armor proficiency, as well as their Reflex saves, which are their weakest. Additionally, many finesse-based one-handed weapons, like rapiers, can be used with Dexterity, ensuring your melee attacks benefit from this stat. Focusing on Dexterity provides defense and accuracy, making you harder to hit and more likely to land your blows.

The Power of Spell Combat

The Magus’s signature ability, Spell Combat, allows them to weave spells into their melee attacks, essentially making them dual wield a weapon and a spell simultaneously. This ability is crucial to maximize damage output. Mastering the timing and flow of a spell followed by a strike, or vice versa, is essential. The goal is to consistently deliver both weapon damage and spell damage each turn.

Intensified Spell and Shocking Grasp

The Intensified Spell metamagic feat, combined with the spell Shocking Grasp, is a cornerstone of a powerful Magus build. Intensified Spell allows you to increase the effective level of a spell, scaling up its damage. Shocking Grasp, when intensified, maintains relevance even at higher levels, offering substantial damage output, especially when delivered through Spellstrike. This combination is exceptionally effective for delivering high burst damage.

One-Handed Weapon Choice

A one-handed weapon is necessary to utilize Spell Combat effectively. Finesse weapons, such as the rapier, are often the best choice for Dexterity-based Magi, and they are excellent choices that benefit from a character with a high dexterity score. Choosing a weapon with a good critical range can significantly increase damage output. Remember that you cannot use Spellstrike with a 2H weapon.

Race Selection

Elves are a popular choice for Magus due to their inherent +2 bonus to both Dexterity and Intelligence, the two most important stats for this class. Humans, with their bonus feat, are also an excellent option. The extra feat can be used to grab Weapon Finesse at level one to more quickly get damage online.

Feat Progression

Key feats include Weapon Finesse, Intensified Spell, and any that enhance mobility or Spell Combat. Additional metamagic feats can boost your spellcasting, and Combat feats can make you more effective in melee combat. This all depends on the kind of fighting style you prefer. Remember, your feat selection should always complement your chosen playstyle.

FAQ: Mastering the Magus

1. What are the most important stats for a Magus?

Intelligence is crucial to power your spells, as is Dexterity for melee accuracy, defense, and your reflex saves. Some Constitution is beneficial to increase health points. Strength is less important but can help with melee damage.

2. Can a Magus wear armor?

Yes, a magus can cast spells while wearing medium armor without incurring arcane spell failure. Heavy armor and shields will result in spell failure unless you have a feat to negate that.

3. What is the Spell Combat ability?

Spell Combat is a key class ability where a Magus uses a free hand to cast a spell while simultaneously making attacks with a one-handed melee weapon. It functions similarly to two-weapon fighting but with a spell as the off-hand weapon.

4. How does Intensified Spell work?

Intensified Spell is a metamagic feat that increases the maximum damage of a spell by 5 dice, in exchange for increasing the spell level by 1. This can make Shocking Grasp remain effective as a damage spell at higher levels.

5. What is the Spellstrike ability?

Spellstrike allows the Magus to deliver a touch spell through their weapon attack. If the attack hits, the spell’s effects are delivered through the weapon to the target.

6. Is a Magus a good class?

The Magus is a very capable class known for burst damage and mobility. However, it can be more difficult to play than a straight melee or caster class.

7. Can a Magus use a bow effectively?

Yes, a Magus can use a bow, but they might be feat-starved. Combining magic with ranged attacks can be an interesting and rewarding experience, provided you have the correct feats.

8. What is the best familiar for a Magus?

A Thrush familiar with the Protector archetype is a solid choice for the Magus as it provides a +2 AC bonus. A Mauler familiar can also be good for those who want a more combat oriented familiar.

9. How many spells can a Magus prepare?

A Magus prepares a limited number of spells each day, usually three cantrips and one first-level spell plus any bonus spell from a high intelligence score. These spells are chosen from their spellbook.

10. Does a Magus need a free hand?

Yes, a Magus needs one hand free to perform Spell Combat, even if the spell being cast does not have somatic components.

11. What is the best subclass for Magus?

The Armored Battlemage subclass, for its ability to wear medium armor, is often considered the strongest by many in the community, but this ultimately comes down to preference.

12. What are common Magus tactics?

Magus tactics usually consist of making all weapon attacks, casting a spell through Spell Combat, using swift actions, and moving five feet if needed in order to be in the correct positioning. Mastering this sequence is key.

13. Can a Magus learn Wizard Spells?

Yes, a Magus can learn spells from a Wizard’s spellbook, as long as those spells are also on the Magus spell list.

14. Is a Magus a Full Caster?

No, a Magus is not a full caster. They are considered a partial caster with access to a lower number of spell levels than other full caster classes like Wizards or Clerics.

15. Can a Magus dual wield weapons?

The Spell Combat ability for a Magus functions similarly to dual wielding, but instead of an off-hand weapon, you use a spell, and this can only be done with a one-handed melee weapon, not two weapons.

Conclusion

The optimal Magus build isn’t about rigid adherence to a single path, but rather about understanding the core mechanics of the class and tailoring a build to your specific preferences. The Dexterity-focused, Spell Combat-oriented Magus, with Intensified Shocking Grasp as a primary damage option, provides an excellent foundation that is effective at all stages of the game. Mastering the class, and adapting it with the right feats, races, and weapons will help you create a devastating combatant that excels in both magic and martial combat.