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Magus Class v4.0.0
🕑 Added 2024-04-16 14:30:01 +0000 UTCThe 4.0 update for my Magus Class brings some pretty sweeping changes to bring it in-line with my Alternate Paladin and Alternate Ranger, while also helping to establish the Magus with its own unique identity among the half-caster classes.
Let me know what you think of the update in the comments below, on the Reddit post, or over on the Discord server!
Enjoy!
~laserllama
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THE MAGUS CLASS v4.0.0
Arcane Armory:
Your Armory is now officially a pocket dimension for your arms and armor. This was how a lot of people assumed it worked (and were running it) so I made it official!
Fighting Style:
Like the Alternate Paladin and Alternate Ranger, the Magus’ Fighting Style has been moved to 1st level. The Magus is first and foremost a warrior, and this helps you feel like one right from 1st level! (Don’t worry, I’ve got plans to help the Alternate Fighter out).
Spellcasting:
You now get cantrips as a Magus! As the most “arcane” of the half-casters (when looking at Paladin, Ranger, and Magus), I thought Cantrips were appropriate - especially with how many “blade cantrips” exist. This will also help with Spellstrike’s changes.
Spellstrike:
This is probably the biggest change for the class - Spellstrike is now an action, and if you miss with the attack you lose your spell slot. I did not think the ability for the Magus to get perfect efficiency with its spell slots was very fair. The Paladin does, but only if they use them for Smites (damage). It is easier on your action economy this way, there are some features to lessen the blow later on, and you can Spellstrike with cantrips now.
Arcane Regeneration:
To help with the changes to Spellstrike, and to give the Magus a reason to take short rests, I’ve added this new feature! I’m hoping to add a similar feature to all half-casters.
Extra Attack:
You can’t use a Cantrip in place of an attack, but you can use Spellstrike in place of one!
Spellsight:
Moved back to 5th level and streamlined into a detect magic-like ability.
Ethereal Jaunt / Spellsunder / Aegis:
The Aegis feature has been cut, but the ability to thwart spells lives on in Spellsunder (albeit in a more thematic and “offensive” way). Ethereal Jaunt comes in a 6th level. I personally think it helps to differentiate the Magus from the Paladin a bit more (Aegis and Aura of Protection were both defensive).
Spellsunder also scales at 14th level, allowing you to defend your foes.
Mystical Ward:
A new feature that allows you to do some interesting things with your spells in melee.
Prismatic Strikes / Arcane Conservation:
A pretty major power bump at 11th level. Prismatic Strikes has been simplified, and Arcane Conservation makes your Spellstrikes a little more forgiving.
Order of Arcanists:
A lot of the Arcanist’s old features have been rolled into the base class (Arcane Regeneration, Ethereal Jaunt), and the subclass has been reworked around an Arcane Spellbook. Now you’re truly a Wizard-lite!
Order of Scales:
This subclass has had a pretty big overhaul - it can still do all the things it used to be able to do, but now it flows better. It has been updated with my latest “Companion Rules”, and its features are permanent changes to your Companion (instead of temporary). It also gets its own custom (buffed) stat block at 20th level. Be a dragon rider!
Other Orders:
No major changes to the other Esoteric Orders - check out the change log below!
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CHANGE LOG Magus v3.1.1 -> v4.0.0
Magus Class:
Arcane Armory // Can no longer be dispelled, but is suspended by antimagic.
Arcane Armory // Now creates a “pocket dimension” for the objects.
Fighting Style // Moved down to 1st level.
Fighting Style // NEW // Classical Swordplay, Thrown Weapon Fighting
Fighting Style // Dual Wielding // Updated with latest version
Fighting Style // Shield Warrior // Updated with latest version.
Spellcasting // Added Cantrips! You can also use an Arcane Focus (if you want).
Spellstrike // REWORKED // Now everything takes place as a single action (casting spell into the weapon, weapon attack, etc). You lose your spell slot on a miss, but it is now usable with a cantrips (following special rules).
Arcane Regeneration // NEW feature to regain expended spell slots once per day.
Extra Attack // You can now use Spellstrike in place of one of your attacks.
Spellsight // Moved back to 5th level. Now a spell-like ability that mimics detect magic.
Ethereal Jaunt // NEW 6th level feature! Teleport like the Duskblades of old
Aegis // CUT // Replaced with Spellsunder at 9th level. Too convoluted of an ability.
Spellsunder // NEW 9th level feature - cut spells from the air!
Mystical Ward // NEW 10th level feature - cast fireball on yourself in battle.
Arcane Conservation // NEW 11th level feature to make Spellstrike more forgiving - improves at 18th level (no wasted spell slots on Spellstrike).
Prismatic Strikes // Renamed (Arcane Strikes) and simplified.
Mystic Aegis // CUT
Superior Spellsunder // NEW 14th level feature - teleport and cut spells from the air!
Blade of the Magi // CUT
Order of Arcanists:
Arcanist // Advanced Armory // Renamed (Arcanist’s Armory) Expanded the number of items by your Magus level, can now store any Tiny object.
Arcanist // Arcanist Spells // CUT
Arcanist // Student of the Arcane // CUT
Arcanist // Arcane Spellbook // NEW 3rd level feature (Wizard-lite).
Arcanist // Esoteric Recovery // Now part of the base class (Arcane Regeneration).
Arcanist // Ritual Magic // NEW 7th level feature.
Arcanist // Astral Step // Now part of the base class (Ethereal Jaunt).
Arcanist // Esoteric Sight // NEW 15th level feature (Spellsight buff).
Arcanist // Grand Arcanist // Streamlined! (Still the same outcome though).
Order of Arcane Archers:
Arcane Archer // Spells // New (Cut), conjure volley (flame arrows), arcane eye (freedom of movement), scrying (conjure volley).
Arcane Archer // Spells // Spell swap limited to Magus/Sorcerer spell lists.
Arcane Archer // Arcane Quiver // A Quiver with 10 arrows now counts as one Arcane Armory item. Spellstrike AoE spells are contained to your target.
Arcane Archer // Cut AoE arrow burst for teleport after each ranged attack. Force smite with ranged attacks buffed to 2d4 per spell level.
Order of Blade Dancers:
Blade Dancer // Spells // Spell swap limited to Paladin/Magus spell lists.
Blade Dancer // Blade Dance // Now grants Performance proficiency and you can use STR/DEX for Performance. INT mod to Athletics/Acrobatics checks in Blade Dance.
Blade Dancer // Deadly Dance // Combined (Evasion, Iron Aegis). Evasion limited to while Blade Dance is active. Add INT mod to Spellsunder attack rolls.
Order of Scales:
Scales // Draconic Companion // Updated with my latest “Companion Rules”. Cut Thunder as an option for your Companion’s Essence (stronger option).
Scales // Draconic Companion Stat Block // REWORKED! Read it!
Scales // Wyrmsoul // Cut thaumaturgy.
Scales // Spells // Spell swap limited to Magus/Sorcerer spell lists.
Scales // Infusion of Might // CUT
Scales // Greater Companion // NEW 7th level feature. Permanent Companion buff.
Scales // Elemental Breath // NEW 15th level feature. INT mod cone fireball’s!
Scales // Mythic Companion // Renamed (Draconic Majesty) and reworked into a permanent buff for your Companion. Cut damage resistance and temp hit points.
Scales // Grand Dragon Knight // Reworked - Companion gets a new stat block!
Order of Shades:
Shades // Shade Spells // Spell swap limited to Magus/Wizard spell lists.
Shades // Shroud of Darkness // Clarified how this works.
Shades // Umbral Sight // Renamed (Eyes of Night). Doesn’t scale.
Shades // From the Shadows // Also buffs Ethereal Jaunt.
Shades // Improved Shroud // NEW 7th level feature - invisible to darkvision!
Shades // Cloud the Mind // Now INT mod uses per long rest.
Shades // One with the Darkness // Also grants a bonus action teleport.
Order of Spellbreakers:
Spellbreakers // Baleful Mark // Now lasts indefinitely. You only learn the direction (not distance of your Mark), you learn its spellcasting potential, you can make opportunity attacks when it casts spells, inflict disadvantage on its concentration saves.
Spellbreaker // Spells // New (Cut), counterspell (bestow curse), resilient sphere (confusion)
Spellbreaker // Spells // Spell swap limited to Magus/Wizard spell list.
Spellbreaker // Ever Watchful // CUT.
Spellbreaker // Mantle of Defense // Limited to your Mark only. INT mod instead of d6.
Spellbreaker // Crippling Mark // NEW 7th level feature.
Spellbreaker // Mirrored Aegis // CUT.
Spellbreaker // Reflective Spellsunder // NEW 15th level feature replace Mirrored Aegis.
Spellbreaker // Master Spellbreaker // Reworked!
Order of Warders:
Warder // Order Renamed (Sentinels).
Warder // Warder Spells // New (cut), life transference (protection from energy)
Warder // Warder Spells // Spell swap limited to Magus/Cleric spell lists.
Warder // Warder’s Bond // Now at-will, but limited in range. Range scales with level.
Warder // Arcane Aegis // Renamed (Aegis of the Guardian) and reworked around Warder’s Bond damage reduction for yourself. Temp hit points limited to one of you per turn.
Warder // High Warder // Reworked around new abilities.
Magus Spell List:
Spells // Removed from doc, added link to the laserllama Spell Compendium.
Spells // 2nd // Added enhance ability, gust of wind.
Spells // 3rd // Added minute meteors
Spells // 5th // Added skill empowerment, wall of light.
Patron-Exclusive Orders:
Aurora // Rimeguard // “Frost” renamed to “Rime Charges”.
Aurora // Greater Rimeguard // Renamed (Aegis of the Aurora) and reworked.
Crimson Knight // Blood Magic // Last clause now works with Spellstrike.
Crimson Knight // Vital Sight // Moved back to 7th level (changes to Spellsight).
Comments
Geoneto
https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-MW4c30CbGMWLRNgJxgb
Geoneto
You can find them in the "Alternate Ranger Expanded" Document.
Jimmaaayy02
Where are those revised feats found?
Henrik Hendrickson
I feel like there's a lack of representation in a lot of these classes for spearfighting/polearm use. Especially with Stormlight as a *thing*. I was trying to sell my buddy on playing a magus for that particular power fantasy, but it honestly wasn't the easiest to do; he wasn't feeling a lot of encouragement from what's on offer. It'd be nice to have a fighting style or even subclass that worked around polearms in particular!
Geoneto
Hello, you mentioned a Magus Expanded, and I would love to see a Laserllama take on feats like Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master, especially considering how awesome the revised Sharpshooter and Crossbow Expert feats are.
caind2
Awesome changes. Minor feedback, typo in the Warders description (combing into combining), and the High Warder ability references Mystic Aegis instead of what I assume is Arcane Aegis. Can I ask about the change to use cantrips in Spellstrike? Was it mainly to allow the Int to be a bit lower without affecting attack rolls? I.e. using a weapon attack roll instead of a spell attack roll? Great update, I can't wait to find a group that'll let me try this out
Jeff Potato
I have to be honest, it still bugs me that Order of Shades doesn't have a good way to access the Stealth skill except via one's background. Aside from that, I haven't had the chance to play one yet so I'm not sure how I feel about all the changes, but the updates to Order of Arcanists look awesome.
Dwayne Cooper
FIRST
