Shielded

Shielded

At 1st level, a shielded magus gains Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat and does not incur the normal arcane spell failure chance while using light shields. Like any other arcane spellcaster, a shielded magus using a heavy or tower shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component. A multiclass shielded magus incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance for arcane spells received from other classes. This replaces cantrips.

Living Shield (Su)

At 1st level, the shielded gains arcane pool points as normal and can expend 1 point from his arcane pool as a swift action to grant any shield he is wielding some properties of a Tiny animated object for 1 minute. The living shield gains construction points as normal for its size, and the shielded may distribute construction points on the additional attack, augmented critical, grab, constrict, enchanted, exceptional reach, improved attack, piercing attack, ranged attack, slashing attack, or trip object abilities. The shielded may not assign construction flaws to gain additional construction points. The living shield’s slam attack counts as a shield bash for the purposes of all feats and restrictions.

The shielded may make slam attacks with the living shield using the base damage for an animated object of its size. The shielded may use either his attack and damage bonus or the living shield’s, whichever is most favorable. When making combat maneuvers using the living shield, the shielded may use either his CMB or the living shield’s, whichever is most favorable. This is treated in all other ways as an ordinary one-handed melee weapon. If the living shield gains an additional slam attack through the expenditure of construction points, this extra attack may only be taken if the shielded forgoes all other attacks for the round (including those gained through the use of off-handed attacks).

The living shield retains its actual size, shield bonus to AC, weight, Dexterity modifiers to AC, any magical enhancements, and all other physical properties (hardness, hit points, etc.). Magical weapon enhancements to the shield apply to all slam attacks made by the shield when animated. At 4th level, and every four levels thereafter (8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th), the animated shield counts as an animated object of one size category larger for the purposes of base attack bonus, Strength, CMB, and construction points, to a maximum of Gargantuan at 20th level.

A shielded can only enhance one shield in this way at a time. If he uses this ability again, the first use immediately ends. The shielded may not spend points from his arcane pool to grant weapons he is holding enhancement bonuses or weapon properties.

Living shields count as a one-handed melee weapon for the purposes of all magus abilities. This ability modifies arcane pool.

Heavy Shields (Ex)

At 8th level, a shielded magus can cast spells while wielding heavy shields without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance.

Like any other arcane spellcaster, a shielded magus using a tower shield incurs a chance of arcane spell failure if the spell in question has a somatic component.

This ability replaces improved spell combat gained at 8th level.

Tower Shields (Ex)

At 14th level, a shielded magus gains Tower Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat and can cast spells while wielding tower shields without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance.

The shielded magus may make slam attacks with a tower shield affected by the living shield ability in spite of the normal tower shield restriction against shield bash attacks.

This ability replaces greater spell combat gained at 14th level.

New Magus Arcana: The following are new magus arcana options for the magus and are not restricted to the shielded magus archetype.

Dancing Shield (Su) The magus may spend 1 point from his arcane pool as a standard action to grant a wielded shield both the animated shield and dancing weapon magical enhancements. In a given round, a shield may only act as either an animated shield or a dancing weapon, but not both. The magus may choose to switch the shield between these two options each round as an immediate action. The magus must be at least 6th level before selecting this arcana.

Shielded Casting (Ex) As long as the magus is wielding a shield and benefiting from the shield bonus to armor class, he also gains the shield’s total bonus to AC as a bonus to all concentration checks.

Spike Growth (Su) The magus may spend 1 point from his arcane pool as a move action to make a wielded shield grow shield spikes. The shield spikes persist for 1 minute per class level or until the shield is no longer wielded by the magus. If the shield is crafted from a special material, the shield spikes gain the benefits of the special material as well.