the Shadow Court, v0.2 - Revised Based on Backer Feedback

Kraken is still much too strong. The best damage for a 1st level spell is Burning Hands, I think, at 3d6 in a 15' cone. Two extra greatsword attacks for a 1st level spell (easily 2d6+5 each, not even counting the ability to smite, use Great Weapon Master, or possible magic weapon abilities. as well as unleash the Enspell) is simply too much. Maybe instead of Kraken, just go with Shark and have it give the ability to cast Water Walk and Water Breathing.

Matthew Gesus

I really like the new Shadow Enspell. It sells the idea of shadow manipulation and I especially enjoy how it seems to benefit the entire party more than the Magus. I also like the new wording of the Katas; they sell the idea of the Shadow Court taking advantage of enemy weakness, which feels very ninja-like. For the Clan Secrets, Raven and Spider are both really cool and feel really good. Kraken, though, seems potentially too powerful. At 7th level, it's perfectly balanced and in line with the others since the ability to use it with a +1 bonus to attack and damage with a maximum of 3 attacks is strong but not too ridiculous. As the Magus gets to higher and higher levels, though, I grow more and more concerned about the potential damage output. For example, at 13th level, the Mark increases to a +3 attack and damage buff, and the Magus can burn a 4th-level slot to make 5 attacks. Not only does each of those attacks have a significantly increased chance to hit, but the +3 damage alone will deal 15 extra damage overall. Especially since Kraken does not limit the Magus to only making unarmed attacks, a greatsword-toting Magus could deal up to 10d6+StrMod*5+15 slashing damage, an average of 68 damage with a +4 StrMod (which is not an unreasonable assumption at 13th level), and this is before uses of Mystic Marauder are taken into account. Fly and Web are both very powerful and fun spells, but they pale in comparison to the potential damage output Kraken, and they both have a limited number of uses per rest that is more restrictive than the number of spell slots the Magus possesses. I think limiting the Kraken attacks to being unarmed strikes would go a long way. Maybe you could word it as "When you take the Attack action, you can spend a spell slot to make additional unarmed attacks as part of that Attack action. The number of extra unarmed attacks is equal to the level of the spell slot expended." That way, they can still use their weapon for one attack if they wish, and then the rest is a barrage of unarmed attacks, which thematically feels more like the tentacles of a kraken than making more sword strikes or bow attacks. Other than that, I'd like to confirm some things about the new wording of Cheat Death. Is it still possible to cast Death Shroud and other spells while under the effects of the feature? The wording seems to imply that no interaction with other creatures and objects at all is possible, which would honestly make that minute of invisibility feel not much better than just being knocked unconscious. Also, does this ability allow the Magus to traverse through creatures and walls? It cannot interact with either of those things, so it seems like the Magus would just ignore them being there at all.