Forums: Advice: Longsword + swordscion or scimitar for magus (mathematically speaking) ? (2024)

After many changes of hearts, I settled on a magus for the new Kingmaker campaign. We'll start in a couple of days, and I was left wondering what would be best for me as a weapon.

I know I should go with the flavor, but I really have no preference between longsword and scimitar.

As for mathematics, I can take sword scion with the longsword, so I get +1 to hit and +1 to damage (from d8 vs d6) with it.

The scimitar has a crit range of 18-20.

So, is the bigger crit range (especially with keen later on) worth losing 1 damage (sure) and 1 to hit (more debatable) ?

The general consensus among magus players is that, if you're looking at it from a pure optimization stand point, yes, the bigger crit range is worth it.

Once you hit level 2 and get spell strike, you transfer that crit range over to your touch attack spells, which generally makes it have a greater impact on you than the single points you're losing.

scimitar is crit-dependent for it's benefit, so that doesn't work vs. a range of enemies.
scimitar crit ranges for touch attack spells is nice, but spell slots are limited...
if you want/plan on using spells for another purpose (buffs, utility) then spell strike crits aren't as important.
longsword scales up better if you use Enlarge, if you are getting an extra +1 att/dmg on top of it, even better.
(extra to-hit is always nice for a class with multi stat dependence, like the Magus)

not to mention you will be emphasizing the story coherence more if you go with the longsword,
rather than stretch things to work in why you use scimitar instead.
i mean, there are plenty of good explanations, but if you just want to get into the Brevoy vibe, that's a good reason why you might not go with scimitar.

go with what feels best... you aren't going to 'LOSE' because you pick one or the other.

Quandary wrote:

scimitar is crit-dependent for it's benefit, so that doesn't work vs. a range of enemies.

Aeons, elementals, incorporeals and oozes. A very-very few others.

Sword scion is a busted trait (should be a feat) and is not PFS legal. With that all said? I'd go scimitar.

If you are looking for interesting combo's however?

A Kensai Magus 1/Fighter 1 can have Aldori Dueling Mastery where a straight fighter takes 3 levels to get it. Access to something that gives you shield bonus for having a free hand... whats not to love? Add to that the Aldori sword (while not having the increased crit threat range is great for finese builds and goes great with the broketastic scion trait.

Want to Continue as fighter?... Sure you give up BAB but you get a bump to will, access to some skills and you can just use spell access to use cool stuff like wands of infernal healing AND access to the Arcane pool - nothing stopping you using armour if you dont intend casting spells and you actually are more interested in being a fighter.

A samurai 1/Magus ?

Great HPs (level 1 is maxed but if you use averages its nearly double what you get on level 2 as a magus). If Human you can get Power attack and weapon focus at level 1 so that at level 2 you have feats your magus normally has to be level 3 to get. Also gives the katana, a possible archetype allowing for rapid sword draw precision damage, A GREAT skill list (1 rank of diplomacy as a class skill will compensate for your likely crappy CHA), order ability (I recommend Dragon), Challenge, Resolve AND access to Katana - which beats the scimitar.