February Exclusive: Optional Class Features for the Magus
Added 2021-02-09 13:41:38 +0000 UTCHi everybody!
This month, Optional Class Features for the Magus class won out our popular vote poll. I had an interesting time writing this as it gave me the opportunity to look back over the magus class and consider simple fixes to a few issues. In fact, some of the material here (the expanded spell lists and replacement for Eldritch Armament, for example) may get rolled into the core class in the future. Enjoy!
If you aren't familiar with the magus already, you can find the free trial version on the DM's Guild here: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/265322/The-Magus-Class-Preview
Thanks as always for your ongoing support,
Benjamin
Comments
Great question, Craig. Honestly, I have been considering removing Eldritch Armament from the class for a long time. My biggest issue with the feature is that I believe it detracts from the "two-thirds caster" identity of the magus class. If people are burning spell slots pumping up the damage of their attacks then they aren't burning spell slots to cast spells and that goes pretty against the intended themes of the class. Fighting Styles is a quick and dirty fix that also has the benefit of adding the class' only martial themed feature (which it's oddly lacking, given that it's a 1/3 warrior). It also seems like it would come up frequently and interact with the weapon cantrips you choose, another benefit. That's the crux of it. The other two changes I'm considering are adding more meat to Esoteric Eye and also starting spell slots at 1st level (following in the footsteps of the artificer class breaking the previously set rules about when half-caster spell slots start) but those didn't really have a place in this kind of update.
Benjamin Huffman
2021-02-10 04:08:04 +0000 UTCThe expanded spell lists, alternative spellcasting ability, and retraining feature all make sense and line up well with the optional features for other classes in Tasha's. The replacement for Eldritch Armament confuses me a little bit. At least for the Magus, this seems to be an obviously poor choice. EA locks into the Enspell and Aegis features in a way that none of the Fighting Styles do. I think any player that really wants a Fighting Style is better off waiting until 4th level and taking the Fighting Initiate feat from Tasha's. I would love to hear the rationale for this optional feature though, or if there is something obvious I am missing. The Magus is my favorite 3rd party class so any additional content is always welcome.
Craig W Cormier
2021-02-09 14:01:11 +0000 UTC
