The Magus Class v2.0.0 - Public Release! (Patreon)

Hey all, excited to share a fairly large update to my take on the Magus Class today - version 2.0! A few significant quality of life and balance changes to the base class and four new Esoteric Orders (subclasses) for your Magus to join! As always, I’m open to any suggestions and constructive feedback you may have.

Who are the Magi?

I’ve designed the Magus (or Spellsword, Arcane Knight, etc) to be the Intelligence-based Arcane counterpart to the Paladin and Ranger. (I personally think the Artificer is in a category of its own and there is room for a warrior Intelligence-based half-caster).

Magi are those that combine spell and sword, never quite mastering either, but becoming a formidable warrior in their own way.

Change Log v2.0.0

Arcane Armory. Increased the number of objects by 1 at each stage. You can add shields starting at 1st level, and suits of armor at 5th level.

Spellstrike. Specifies that spells must require a single attack roll, and creatures still have an opportunity to make their saving throw at disadvantage.

Aegis. Reworked, now costs a spell slot at all levels but includes magical effects.

Spell List. Corrected spells compatible with Spellstrike

Spell List. Added - absorb elements, armor of agathys, chromatic orb, earth tremor, ice knife, ray of sickness, caustic brew, witch bolt, zephyr strike, arcane scorcher, earthbind, snowball swarm, elemental weapon, erupting earth, slow, thunder step, wall of sand, wall of water, elemental bane, sickening radiance, vitriolic sphere, watery sphere, far step, immolation, and steel wind strike.

Order of Arcanists. Adjusted their Order Spells - replaced *disguise self* with *identify*, *tongues* with *tiny servant*, and *seeming* with *scrying*.

Order of Arcane Archers. NEW Esoteric Order! Have you ever thought that the Arcane Archer subclass for the Fighter was lackluster? Because I certainly have. Here is a remastered version that I think works really well with Spellstrike to deliver the magical archer fantasy.

Order of Blade Dancers. NEW Esoteric Order! Another “borrowed” subclass. Who decided the Wizard of all classes needed a viable melee option that basically turns them into a super-tank at high levels?! If the Magus were an official class, I think it’d make more sense to be the home of this archetype.

Order of the Eclipse. NEW Esoteric Order! Use Illusion, stealth, and subterfuge to get the jump on your foes with this Order of arcane assassins, spies, and infiltrators!

Order of Scales. NEW Esoteric Order! “Borrowed” from the Ranger, the Order of Scales is a (in my opinion) more sensible take on a “Dragon Rider” subclass. Start with an enhanced familiar that you can power up a few times per day. At high levels (when it is actually appropriate) you can finally ride a dragon through the skies!

Order of Sentinels. Adjusted their Order Spells - replaced *alarm* with *compelled duel*, *glyph of warding* with *protection from energy*, *guardian of faith* with *death ward*, and *telepathic bond* with *circle of power* Also, Loyal Defender now only grants the Magi temp hit points.

Order of Spellbreakers. Adjusted their Order Spells - replaced *hunter’s mark* with *detect evil and good*, *moonbeam* with *blindness/deafness*, *nondetection* with *magic circle*, *compulsion* with *confusion*, *blight* with *banishment*, *mislead* with *dispel evil and good*, *contagion* with *planar binding*. Also reduced the Mantle of Protection bonus to 1d4 (1d6), and clarified Arcane Reflection.

But What About _______ ?!

Bladesingers, Hexblades, and Eldritch Knights?! I think if you are going to play a streamlined, *Player’s Handbook* only game, the Eldritch Knight does an okay job of filling this archetype. The Bladesinger (when played optimally) is just a very tanky wizard, and the Hexblade ~~should never have been published~~ is very limited in flavor.

Patrons also get access to an exclusive Esoteric Order that wields the power of Blood Magic - the vampiric Order of Crimson Knights!