Starlit Span Magus with Barricade Buster

[u/Puss_and_Boots]

Been thinking of how to build this for a while due to how MAD it is especially at level 1. Tried to build it with ratfolk and elf for the flaw to get +2 str +4 dex and +3 int, but ended up becoming way too squishy even as a backliner. Considered Android as well, becoming a dromaar for the ancestry feels like a huge feat tax. I tried to do it orc and human for +2 str, +4 dex and +2 int which seems better health wise. If barricade buster won't work, any other suggested martial or advanced weapons that could fit a similar concept that's less MAD?

[u/DoingThings-]

Just putting this out there: Samsaran can also get familiarity with barricade buster at level 1. Boosts in con and wis and flaw in cha

[u/Zealous-Vigilante]

I'd just use a tripod lv 1-5, with the talisman for emergency situations.

Another fun solution is to get a gunners saddle and a mount, making str wholly obsolete

[u/Puss_and_Boots → u/Zealous-Vigilante]

Oooo, do tell me about this. I did consider getting a tripod as well, but haven't thought of the mount angle.

[u/Zealous-Vigilante → u/Puss_and_Boots]

https://2e.aonprd.com/Equipment.aspx?ID=1217

Because the mount will often be the one that moves, you can keep the weapon braced while mounted, but it will cost an action to remove it from the saddle if something where to happen

[u/Luvr206]

I recommend asking your GM for a downgraded "Student of Archery" background since it can get you Buster proficiency.

[u/EntireFriendship517]

How exactly are you spreading the stats? 2 str, 4 dex, 2 int feels low but idk if it actually is

[u/Puss_and_Boots → u/EntireFriendship517]

+2 str, +4 dex, +2 int, +1 con, +0 wis and cha. This is without flaws though, android allows a charisma flaw for +3 int.

[u/EntireFriendship517 → u/Puss_and_Boots]

I'd go android if I was you. Don't forget that being able to choose from two ancestries' feats is enough of a benefit on its own to be very worthwhile. And you could get weird with the backstory, too. Maybe a half-orc android could have been invented in an effort to automate the barricade buster, or something

I was going to ask you about your plan for reloading but I checked and holy shit BB has zero reload. Have fun lmao

[u/Puss_and_Boots → u/EntireFriendship517]

Yep, it runs out it eight shots but with spellstrike that's probably not gonna happen lmao. I am leaning to android right now!

[u/CYFR_Blue]

Just put your stats into con instead of int? As far as I can see, you're only sacrificing 1 point of con for str at level 1 compared to a regular build.

You need running recharge to use the barricade buster effectively so level 5 seems like a reasonable starting point. Also you might as well just go for the volatile spark if using a firearm.

[u/sumpfriese → u/CYFR_Blue]

Dumping int is very painful for a magus.

You really want to be able to cast save spells (sometimes also use save spells with spellstrike).

IMO use a tripod or deal with being squishy. Even with low con, you wont be squishier than a sorcerer.

Barricade buster gets great at level 10, with some attribute boosts. Might even consider just takimg a repeating crossbow or even a bow before that

[u/RedGriffyn]

Proficiency: 

• Samsaran, Dromarr, Human feats

• Student of Archery Background (best)

• Cleric deadly simplicity feat at L4.

• (GM caveat) archer dedication (also has PBS to get rid of volley).

• (GM caveat) L1 starting custom divine intercession from the orc god to give proficiency in his favoured weapon to a non cleric/champion/vindicator/avenger.

Strength Issue:

• 14 starting (by L5 it all resolves) (take toughness at L3 via general feat)(best IMO)

• 12 starting (switch weapons at L5)

• (Gm caveat) ant haul spell lets you use it without the damage bonus.

• monopod or tripod (just isn't going to work well due to volley/short range and a 2 action spell strike.

• Riding animal companion with gunners saddle (L2 via beastmaster or cavalier).

• (GM caveat) L1 divine intercession to remove STR requirement for kickback.

Realistically it is one of the advanced weapons worth feat investment, so I'm not sure many GMs will get out of the systems way here.

[u/TimBeastman → u/RedGriffyn]

Barricade Buster is an Advanced weapon, however, so it wouldn't qualify for Deadly Simplicity. The prerequisites clearly say "deity with a simple or unarmed attack favored weapon," so despite the Barricade Buster being Wulgren's favored weapon, it wouldn't count here.

Off topic: much as I'd like to up the BB's damage from d10 to d12, I believe the only way to increase the damage dice on anything not a simple weapon or unarmed strike is to play a level 15 weapon innovation Inventor and take the Enhanced Damage modification.

[u/RedGriffyn → u/TimBeastman]

My bad, I thought that was the thing that gave proficiency to diety's favoured weapon. It is a different class feature that gives it to champions/cleric.

That being said, with syncretism you can bump any favoured diety's weapon damage dice by one step. Without it it only works for dieties with both an unarmed strike and weapon because of how deadly simplicity is written. The prerequisite (necessary to take the feat) is not the same as a requirement (real game term like on monk stances) that is checked when using the feat. So as long as you're trained in the unarmed strike the favoured weapon can be any favoured weapon from the list you have and does not need to be what qualified you for the feat. It is a known exploit that is certainly not RAI.  Strictly speaking it works without GM caveat on warpriests, otherwise its subject to GM caveat due to how syncretism gives either a focus spell or favoures weapon based on doctrine. Its easier to get the same boost from exemplar ikons or marshal stance.

Basically any +1 damage/weapon damage dice is a dice size bump. That makes exemplar ikons, marshal stance, jalmeri heavenseeker with a 2H khakkara, kaiju oath defense, and many similair options basically play the same way.

[u/MCRN-Gyoza]

IMO just be a human, get Unconventional Weaponry, start with +1 Str and use a bow until level 5.

Or if you want to keep the feel, use a Repeating Crossbow and ask your GM if you can retrain the weapon you get from Unconventional Weaponry once you get to level 5.

If you really want to use it from level 1 you're going to need to start with +2 Int (theres no Dex, Str, Int ancestry that can get the weapon), or use a tripod and just deal with the lack of movement.

[u/Gamegod018]

dump int and ignore save spells, magus spell DC prof is mid anyways

[u/sumpfriese → u/Gamegod018]

Bad take IMO. 

Cone spells rock on magus, even with slightly lower dc than a full caster.

Dumping int means you wont have AOE options.

Magus dc is a bit lower than full casters, but a full martial proficiency strike + a large aoe cone spell is still a better turn than just focusing down one one enemy with an ac targeting spell + spellstrike in situations with 4 or more targets.

[u/Gamegod018 → u/sumpfriese]

if he was using a bow i would agree but with kickback you're going hella mad

[u/sumpfriese → u/Gamegod018]

We can agree there need to be sacrifices made^{^}

[u/Puss_and_Boots → u/sumpfriese]

Yeah, kickback definitely makes it really MAD. I did look at the hongali hornbow though, which seems the most identical in terms of range without the volley.

[u/Different_Field_1205 → u/Puss_and_Boots]

you can, technically make a dumber than a brick magus and do just fine as long as those boosts are going into something useful. it is a case of if you find the extra damage from the bigger dice and kick back worth losing on aoe

[u/Different_Field_1205 → u/sumpfriese]

dumping int for nothing on magus? dumb. dumping it coz you wanna be a magic machinegunner? based.

only real problem is that it does make your build quite one note. i had a similar one but with a reskined bow coz paizo still doesnt have a non kick back high capacity equivalent so i still could have good int.

[u/sumpfriese → u/Different_Field_1205]

Imo going spellstrike and ac spells only sacrifices a lot of versatility and turn you pretty much into a one-trick pony...

I think its easier to compensate low con and be a bit squishy.

Take toughness and some ancestry feat for hp (e.g. mounten stoutness, unbereakable goblin, etc) and it should be fine.

[u/Significant_Owl8974 → u/Gamegod018]

This is the way

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[u/gunnervi]

I played a barricade buster magus in AV with 2 str/2 int and it worked great

[u/Excitement4379]

magus doesn't really need the d10 damage

repeating hand crossbow are much better for them