Mindblade Magus

[Foxman778]

So after looking at Kurald Galain's excellent magus guide, I was wondering if anyone here in the Playground had firsthand experience with the Mindblade. How does it play? Is it much different than a regular magus?

[phlidwsn]

I built one for an upcoming game where the DM ok'd Occult but not Psionics. Biggest hurdle is the Psychic casting takes an extra +10 on the concentration check to cast defensively.

Given that, you're going to find it hard to go the standard Shocking Grasp route. I was planning on focusing on the attack spells that granted charges instead (Chill Touch & Frostbite). With the idea that you cast beforehand and then move in. Once you get high enough to pass the cast defensively check you can start adding shocking grasp and all the usual tricks.

Concentration gear to help negate that +10:
Gloves of Elvenkind: +5 competence
Spellguard Bracers: +2, 3/day reroll
Combat casting feat: +4
Uncanny Concentration: +2
Focused Mind trait: +2

[Secret Wizard]

Mindblade is pretty good, but you probably want to focus on using spellcombat before 5 foot stepping into the enemy range.

I personally recommend using more spells as buffs than anything.

The standard build:

1. Med Armor Prof
3. Artful Dodge
5. Heavy Armor Prof, TWF
7. Weapon Focus
9. ITWF
10. Greater Weapon Focus

This allows you to have great AC, good damage, and good INT. Best race is probably a Dual Talent Human for +2 STR/INT.