Weaponless Magus Archetype idea

[gamerprinter]

So I am building a list of possible classes to include in a Martial Arts supplement for Kaidan, and beside including the obvious variant monks, I want to include a couple other classes that fit the style, but offer interesting options, like - a weaponless Magus Archetype.

First I'd pull the allowance of wearing any kind of armor, thus the 1st level light armor, 7th level medium armor and 13th level heavy armor, would be pulled from the class. The obvious replacement is some kind of dodge bonus to add to AC in place of the missing armor. I am also considering giving Evasion at 7th level, though I'm wondering if that's too powerful a swap...

I'd probably offer some new Magus Arcana especially suited to unarmed combat.

Although I could allow monk weapons, I'm also wondering of granting a monks flurry of blows is taking too much from monk. Remember however, this magus loses the normal weapon proficiencies reserved to using his magus powers being barehanded primarily.

Thoughts?

GP

 

[Ahnehnois]

First I'd pull the allowance of wearing any kind of armor, thus the 1st level light armor, 7th level medium armor and 13th level heavy armor, would be pulled from the class. The obvious replacement is some kind of dodge bonus to add to AC in place of the missing armor. I am also considering giving Evasion at 7th level, though I'm wondering if that's too powerful a swap...

The ability to wear armor is extremely valuable, which is why the monk has more class abilities than the fighter. Is this character getting a monk-type AC bonus? If not, he's getting ripped to shreds. I'd say you need to add an ability modifier to AC at 1st level. I could see a deflection bonus based on your casting ability, or a dodge bonus. Evasion is not an overeach at all, especially at that level.

I wouldn't do flurry of blows; you're already attacking and casting in the same round. Even more attacks is pushing it.

I would add an arcana that granted a smite-like ability (big bonus to attack and/or damage to one unarmed attack) because unarmed attacks are never going to match up to weapons. I would also think about finding a way to get an enhancement bonus on that unarmed attack through class abilities, since I don't think spells will accomplish this.

 

[gamerprinter]

Just so you know I just came up with the Unarmed Magus idea 10 minutes before the first post, so I haven't given a lot of thought on it - just a spur of the moment idea.

I like the Monk AC Bonus mechanic for the Light Armor replacement, as in my mind this guy might be someone else training at the same monastery or fighting school as a normal monk, just in another area specializing on an arcane path due to aptitude.

If Evasion seems a balanced replacement for 7th level Medium armor, then would Improved Evasion be equally balanced for 13th level Heavy armor?

Instead of access to simple and martial weapons, the unarmed magus* gains Unarmed Strike, and the Monk's progression of damage improvement up to 20th level.

OK, no Flurry ability, agreed. Spellstrike is somewhat nerfed, in that you're loosing the advantage of range 'touch' from the end of weapon, since its back to your hand once again. You still get double damage to spell damage and normal damage as per level of unarmed magus. So Arcane Pool should include the allowance of casting enhancement bonuses to your fighting hand instead of just to held melee weapons.

An unarmed magus might be allowed to wield monk weapons in addition to unarmed strike, but I'm not sold on the idea.

I might come up with a half dozen Magus Arcana specifically useful for unarmed magi.

*I need to come up with a better name than 'unarmed magus', I will probably pick a Japanese word based on the concept.

 

[Volaran]

Perhaps allow the Unarmed Magus to access the Stunning Fist or Elemental Fist feats at earlier levels, and allow them to be used 1/day per Magus level.

 

[Ahnehnois]

If Evasion seems a balanced replacement for 7th level Medium armor, then would Improved Evasion be equally balanced for 13th level Heavy armor?

Again, it's a few levels behind some other classes so no problem in my mind. If you're going to do evasion and monk AC, you should probably change the base saves. Doesn't make much sense to have poor ref. You might have to give up fort, or seriously rethink things.