Can you explain Spell Combat please?

[Doomjazzer]

Hi all, new to the game. I just got Regongar in the team, but I don't understand how his Spell Combat ability works, despite googling it. From what I understand he can use a spell and then physically attack, as long as he doesn't move? Is that right? Can't seem to make it work.

I used his frost cantrip on an enemy, but it won't let me attack with his one-handed sword afterwards, I have to end turn. Does the ability not work with cantrips?

Thanks for any help. (and would appreciate tips on how to use the character too)

[Zuloph]

Ray of Frost is a ranged touch attack spell, when using spell combat you need to use a melee touch attack spell like Touch of Fatigue for example. I believe there's a magus arcana that can let you do it with ranged touch attacks later on but I don't use Magus to often so don't quote me on that part.

[Drake]

To use ranged touch spells you need the eldritch archer archetype, which basically lets you use the ranged touch spells with a bow instead of the melee touch spell with a melee weapon.

[Doomjazzer]

Thanks for the help!

[Bibibobaba]

@Zuloph Yes Magus get a choice of Metamagic feat every 3 level with Magus Arcana ability.
Reach Spell it the metamagic for increase range.
His magus ability work with standard casting time spell so cantrip are suppose to all work. I think he attack automatically if you are in range.
It have the metamagic Quicken spell you let cast a spell as a swift action. Can be usefull for higher level spell caster

[Stink Bug]

"Spell Combat" does NOT require melee touch attacks; "Spellstrike", which converts a melee touch to an extra charged physical attack, is what does. "Spell Combat" can be used with any magus spell (or wand if you have the Arcana) as long as you have both a move and standard action available (hence the full round action) AND a one-handed melee weapon equipped (like the scimitar he starts out with).

If you're having trouble, try him out in Turn-Based mode where you can track your actions better at least until till you get the hang of it: make sure the spell combat ability is active, make sure you're within a 5-foot step range of your enemy and have both a standard and move action available, cast any magus spell, then click the enemy (making sure 5-foot step is on) to swing at him. If he's at least second level and has "Spellstrike" active you can use touch of fatigue, shocking grasp, or another melee touch spell and watch him swing twice, but in either case you must cast a spell first to trigger SC.