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For the Magus, Spell Swipe (and eventually Whirlwind Spell) allows you to hit multiple enemies with a Spellstrike; however, if you actually want your multiple targets to both get hit by a spell, you need a spell that can target multiple creatures with a Spell Attack roll*:

If your spell could affect two or more targets, your spell affects whichever foes you hit, not just the first target; otherwise, choose one target to affect with the spell.

The only spell I'm aware of that targets multiple creatures with a Spell Attack roll is Scorching Ray. Are there any other spells that could work with this? Preferably also not focus spells that I'd have to take a dedication to get to (i.e. Magus focus spells are fine, but Domain focus spells not so much).

*I'm aware Expansive Spellstrike increases the options (adding, importantly, Electric Arc and Scatter Scree), but I'm hoping to take a different feat at level 2 and don't want to have to make room for it in my build.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The more I look at Magus, the more important it seems to have Expansive Spellstrike haha \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 26, 2022 at 5:00
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Ifusaso Yep, guess I'm making room for it. Scorching Ray does scale up rather nicely, but I hate relying on fire damage... \$\endgroup\$
    – ESCE
    Commented Apr 26, 2022 at 15:27
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    \$\begingroup\$ You may be interested in Overwhelming Spellstrike and/or Cascading Ray at later levels (instead of trying to fit in Expansive). It's worth remembering that probably 70-80%+ of your Spellstrikes are going to be Cantrips with how Magi spell slots work \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 26, 2022 at 17:12

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There is currently no other* multiple attack Arcane spell

*Not counting Horizon Thunder Sphere's AoE because it's not valid with Spellstrike

I couldn't think of a good way to parse this, but realized a relatively simple way: the Spells section of the [Attack] trait has what should be a full list of spells, which is fairly limited (for now) that involve attack rolls. Going through them, the ones typically available in Arcane are:

  • Acid Arrow (single target)
  • Acid Splash (single)
  • Admonishing Ray (single)
  • Chromatic Ray (single)
  • Disintegrate (single)
  • Gouging Claw (single)
  • Horizon Thunder Sphere (single plus AoE if cast over 2 rounds)
  • Hydraulic Push (single)
  • Magnetic Acceleration (single)
  • Polar Ray (single)
  • Produce Flame (single)
  • Ray of Enfeeblement (single)
  • Ray of Frost (single)
  • Scorching Ray (multiple, as noted in Q)
  • Shocking Grasp (single)
  • Snowball (single)
  • Tanglefoot (single)
  • Telekinetic Maneuver (single)
  • Telekinetic Projectile (single)
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    \$\begingroup\$ That is a smart way to go about it... and also produces the answer I both expected and hoped was untrue. Thank you though!! \$\endgroup\$
    – ESCE
    Commented Apr 26, 2022 at 15:24
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    \$\begingroup\$ @ESCE I'm hoping the future-proofing was intentional and we'll see more valid spells for Magus coming down the pipes... but only a little considering the sparse options (for them) added in their own book about magic \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 26, 2022 at 17:04

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