Magus with Scimitar or Falcata?

[Alphasez]

Building a 3rd lvl Magus, not sure about race yet. Possibly half-orc or half-elf. Considering using a DEX based with scimitar and Dervish Dance, or a STR based with a Falcata.

Pros for DEX based, don't need to spend points in STR. Crit more often.

Pros for STR based, get to use a falcata. Crit a little less often, but harder.

Besides those things, is there a clear winner? Any advice?

[stack]

The crit range is more important than the multiplier for a magus, so scimitar for either STR or DEX.

[Arutema]

The crit range is more important than the multiplier for a magus, so scimitar for either STR or DEX.

Very much so. Your spellstrike spells always crit at x2, but use the crit range of your weapon. Thus you want a scimitar, rapier or other 18-20 weapon to crit most often.

[Aldrakan]

Yeah scimitar is the clear winner because of Spellstrike, and if you're planning to get dervish dance the normal damage difference is minimized. Apart from the die difference you can't use the dervish scimitar in two hands for 1.5 strength modifier when you're not using spell combat, but then you want to be using spell combat as much as possible anyway. You'd also need to spend some resource on getting exotic weapon proficiency with the falcata.
Also remember that in two levels you can start making your weapon Keen, and the difference gets even more pronounced.
A scimitar works perfectly well with a Str build anyway, if you'd prefer that.

If you're looking for general magus advice there's a great guide here:

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?423754-Myrrh-Frankincense-and-Steel-Kurald-Galain-s-Guide-to-the-Magus

[Alphasez]

Ok, so taking scimitar, wouldnt a DEX/dervish build generally out perform a STR build, assuming I went Human for the extra feat and being able to grab D. Dance at 3rd level? Presuming this simply for the added benefits of a higher DEX: AC, Init, reflex, dex based skills, etc.

Not to mention, being a little less MAD. We're using a 20 point buy.

At 3rd level, I look like this:

STR - 9
DEX - 17 (15 +2 racial)
CON - 14
INT - 15
WIS - 12
CHA - 10

[Sayt]

The Falcata is a decent weapon for classes which have impressive amounts of Flat Damage, such as the Fighter or Ranger, but If I was to spend a feat on EWP for a Magus Weapon, it would probably be the Estoc: One handed 18-20 2d4p damage. Averages out at about a point and a half of damage more than a scimitar, IIRC. It isn't a huge advantage, but Magi are already pretty strong at damage and they can afford some sub-optimal choices.

[Kurald Galain]

Ok, so taking scimitar, wouldnt a DEX/dervish build generally out perform a STR build,
That depends on what you want from the build. The str build deals more damage and saves on two feats. The dex build has better defenses and skills.