Magik
Illyana Rasputina looked up to her brother – the X-men member Colossus – for years before her powers manifested. In fact, for the first 8 years of the character’s existence, she was a background character. I knew her best as a character in Colossus’ origin story. His powers manifested when he protected her from a falling tractor.
But the character came into her own when she was abducted by Dr. Doom and sent to the Limbo dimension. It was there that Illyana became Magik – aging beyond her years, becoming a sorceress, learning to teleport. Basically, being badass.
It was during this time that Magik created the Soulsword, which she used to become the ruler of Limbo.
It took me a little while to come around to Magik. The main reason for this was because for a long time I resisted the more magical elements – like spells, sorcerers and Dr. Strange’s entire thing – in comic books. I loved the X-Men, and loved that all of their powers were explained by mutation. To have an X-men character who was a wizard, I didn’t love.
After the MCU introduced Dr. Strange and a somewhat grounded version of magic, I hopped onboard in a big way. Some of the spellcasters became my favorite characters. Magik included.
Which lead me to think about what she would bring to a Pathfinder group – a teleporting, soul weapon wielding, demon transforming badass. Sounds fun.
Keys to the Character
I Got Soulsword, But I’m Not A Soldier
Magik can manifest the mystical Soulsword. When she is wielding the sword, some nifty armor appears on her as well.
Any Teleport In A Storm
Illyana uses her access to the dimension known as Limbo to facilitate teleportation across vast distances.
Inner Demons… Sometimes Outer
Magik’s demon alter ego, Darkchylde, can emerge when she uses certain dark spells.
Supreme Limbo Enthusiast
Move over Dr. Strange, Illyana is the Sorceress Supreme of the Limbo dimension, where her power is unparalleled. Unfortunately she is a bit nerfed when she’s on Earth.
Magik could be built a lot of different ways. Her character hooks are fairly varied – sword wielding, sorcery, teleporting, transformation. She runs the risk of being a jack of all trades, master of none.
So, then, it would be the most fun to focus on a particular aspect of Magik and splash in the others. This build will focus on her soulsword wielding and teleporting, then. The way she is when she’s on earth. Maybe there is an alternate build for the Limbo-ruling Illyana in the future.
On the tabletop, the Earth version of Magik is a nimble swordfighter who can enhance her melee capabilities with spells, teleports and transfiguration.
Build OVERVIEW
Ancestry
Ancient Elf
Magik's years spent in limbo are the justification for an Ancient heritage, which allowed her to study magic on a deeper level and gain a Wizard Dedication to shore up her spellcasting.
The other option would be to go Elf – Tiefling, which is good. However, this way misses out on the Ancient Elf Wizard Dedication, which is flavored as the time she spent in limbo, and that is too pivotal to the build to ignore. Instead, her connection to the Darkchylde personal will be hinted at through the Demon Form spell.
Background
Magical Misfit
Magik needs a complicated initial array of ability scores in order to qualify for the two dedications she takes in the first two levels. Magical Misfit adds some flavor and an Intelligence boost for one of them. Her key ability is Strength, but she’ll need at least 14 Wisdom and 14 Intelligence to start the build.
Class
Magus – Laughing Shadow
The Laughing Shadow Hybrid Study gets access to the Dimensional Assault focus spell, which is hugely flavorful for the teleporting Magik. Not only that, but it is one of the best marriages in Pathfinder of martial and magic ability.
As a Magus, Magik will get access to a handful of cantrips and a limited number of spell slots. Unlike many Magus builds, she doesn’t take Expanded Spellstrike to use more types of spells with her Spellstrike ability. Instead, her spells slots are mostly focused on teleports and transfigurations.
The Soulforged Dedication truly seems custom made for Magik. With it, she can manifest the Soulsword (and the accompanying armor) with an action. Not only that, but once per day they both get some extra boosts for doing so.
Finally, the build leans a bit more into Magik’s spellcasting ability by adding a Wizard Dedication through Elf Atavism and going all the way through Master Wizard Spelllcasting. This adds 14 additional spell slots to the build, which can improve her prowess as a teleporting, demon transforming, sorcerer supreme.
Skills & General Feats
Magik focuses her skills on Arcana (for the Wizard Dedication) and Intimidation. And let’s face it, someone who grew up in a demon infested wasteland is intimidating.
Legendary: Arcana, Intimidation
Master: Athletics
Expert: –
Attribute Increases
Equipment
Suggested Starting Equipment
Bastard Sword – This is the biggest sword that Magik can wield while still qualifying for the benefits from her Laughing Shadow Magus hybrid school.
Leather Armor –
Key Spells
Changelog
2023-07-15
- Fixed illegal dedication order
- Reordered most Class feats to allow for multiple dedications
Related Builds
