Adds your Intelligence modifier (up to your class level) as a Dodge bonus to your AC while unarmored.
Various heritages provide bonuses to Dex/Int or Str/Int.
Strength allows Power Attack, easier early game, and more feat flexibility. Dex-based works but needs Fencing/Slashing Grace tax.
| Level | Feat | Why | |-------|------|-----| | 1 | | DEX to attack rolls. | | 1 (Human) | Weapon Focus (Dueling Sword) | +1 attack, required for later. | | 3 | Slashing Grace | DEX to damage with dueling sword. | | 5 | Outflank | +4 attack when flanking. Share with a melee party member. | | 5 (Magus bonus) | Intensify Spell | Turns Shocking Grasp into 10d6 damage. | | 7 | Improved Critical | Doubles crit range (18-20 → 15-20). Yes, 30% crit chance. | | 9 | Crane Style | -2 attack for +4 AC when fighting defensively. Mandatory for tanking. | | 11 | Crane Wing | +4 AC vs one melee attack per round. | | 13 | Crane Riposte | Free AoO when enemy misses you. | | 13 (Magus bonus) | Empower Spell | More damage on spells. | | 15 | Dodge | +1 AC (prereq for Crane). | | 17 | Combat Reflexes | More AoOs (combos with 15-20 crit range). | | 19 | Critical Focus | +4 to confirm crits (overkill but fun). | | 19 (Magus bonus) | Maximize Spell | Max damage on Shocking Grasp (60 damage base). | pathfinder kingmaker magus sword saint guide
Priority gear:
Power Attack, Cleave, Toughness. You don’t need them.
Excellent for stat distribution (+2 Dex, +2 Int/Cha) and provides useful elemental resistances. Adds your Intelligence modifier (up to your class
Magus Arcana: Accurate Strike allows you to make all your attacks against Touch AC, making you an unstoppable force against heavily armored enemies.
❌ You lose Canny Defense (INT to AC). Wear robes or bracers. ❌ Not using Spell Combat. You can cast Shocking Grasp AND full attack. Do it every round. ❌ Taking Power Attack. Your damage comes from crits and spell dice, not STR. ❌ Ignoring metamagic. Intensified + Empowered + Maximized turns a level 1 spell into a nuke. ❌ Picking a 20/x2 weapon. Scimitar or dueling sword only. No rapiers (bad uniques).
Prescient Attack . Denies your target their Dexterity bonus to AC, making high-defense enemies easy to hit. Dex-based works but needs Fencing/Slashing Grace tax
You can build a Sword Saint using either Strength or Dexterity as your primary offensive stat. Dexterity is generally recommended for beginners due to higher native initiative and reflex saves. Recommended Dexterity Build (20-Point Buy) 10 Dexterity: 18 (All level-up points here) Constitution: 12 Intelligence: 16 Wisdom: 10 Charisma: 7 Recommended Strength Build (20-Point Buy) Strength: 18 (All level-up points here) Dexterity: 12 Constitution: 14 Intelligence: 16 Wisdom: 10 Charisma: 7 3. Weapon Selection
You have Shatter Defenses , Slashing Grace , and Vampiric Touch .
