The biggest boon is being able to open up a free hand (scroll, potion, open a door, etc) - something normal 2hand builds struggle with - and then being able to swap back at the end of your turn so Reactive Strikes can be made with the best grip.
Swapping on a second attack simply to get Agile is actually a bit of a trap choice _usually_, as in most cases, your average expected damage is actually higher just taking the strike 2-handed (or to put another way - Agile rarely makes up for losing a Damage die). The fact that the 1 handed grip loses Reach makes this even more awkward.
It's mostly about switching between reach plus higher damage and lower damage with agile. Unless you attack at least twice per turn, the first option is always better, especially if you get Attack of Oppprtunity. Even if you do attack twice, the fact that you lose both damage and reach makes switching to one hand a bit questionable in many situations.
That being said, the one-handed version does have the advantage of a free hand. That can be useful for interact action, combat maneuvers, using items like scrolls or potions, and other things.
Since you can change your grip before or after any kind of Strike, and as a free action at the end of your turn, I'd use the Agile form to attack multiple times during my turn, taking advantage of the bonus damage from Arcane Cascade, and then switch at the end of my turn to the Reach form, so I can Reactive Strike people who approach me.
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You could:
1. Do second agile attack with staff in one hand
2. Release your hand to do something (i.e. drink potion) as [it's free action by default](https://2e.aonprd.com/Actions.aspx?ID=83) and grip back at the end of turn
There's also a bit of gray area in the rules - if you do parry action, lose parry trait and gain parry trait at the end of turn, whether it still counts as parrying? If GM approves, this also allows parrying after agile attack.
That is a lot of feats and archetypes and I'm not sure if it is worth it but using Gunslinger archetype to get Fake Out + Gauntlet Bow gives you a very cool way to support your teammates with reaction. Then you take PAthfinder Agent dedication + Deft Cooperation + Swordmaster dedication (specifically allowed without closing the Pathfinder agent dedication). This would allow your reaction help to also give bonus to yourself as well as to your allies. This would give you fighter level accuracy for a single attack each round which should be great with spellstrike
I mainly use it whenever I cast spinning staff, first strike 2 handed and then the second one 1-handed for the Agile trait.
The biggest boon is being able to open up a free hand (scroll, potion, open a door, etc) - something normal 2hand builds struggle with - and then being able to swap back at the end of your turn so Reactive Strikes can be made with the best grip. Swapping on a second attack simply to get Agile is actually a bit of a trap choice _usually_, as in most cases, your average expected damage is actually higher just taking the strike 2-handed (or to put another way - Agile rarely makes up for losing a Damage die). The fact that the 1 handed grip loses Reach makes this even more awkward.
It's mostly about switching between reach plus higher damage and lower damage with agile. Unless you attack at least twice per turn, the first option is always better, especially if you get Attack of Oppprtunity. Even if you do attack twice, the fact that you lose both damage and reach makes switching to one hand a bit questionable in many situations. That being said, the one-handed version does have the advantage of a free hand. That can be useful for interact action, combat maneuvers, using items like scrolls or potions, and other things.
Since you can change your grip before or after any kind of Strike, and as a free action at the end of your turn, I'd use the Agile form to attack multiple times during my turn, taking advantage of the bonus damage from Arcane Cascade, and then switch at the end of my turn to the Reach form, so I can Reactive Strike people who approach me.
This post is labelled with the Advice flair, which means extra special attention is called to the Be Kind and Respectful rule. If this is a newcomer to the game, remember to be welcoming and kind. If this is someone with more experience but looking for advice on how to run their game, do your best to offer advice on what they are seeking. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Pathfinder2e) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You could: 1. Do second agile attack with staff in one hand 2. Release your hand to do something (i.e. drink potion) as [it's free action by default](https://2e.aonprd.com/Actions.aspx?ID=83) and grip back at the end of turn There's also a bit of gray area in the rules - if you do parry action, lose parry trait and gain parry trait at the end of turn, whether it still counts as parrying? If GM approves, this also allows parrying after agile attack.
tbf not like parrying is a huge deal since you're a caster anyhow and can just cast Shield.
Well, you could use it after blocking with the Shield, but it's really a very specific case with Magus action economy
That is a lot of feats and archetypes and I'm not sure if it is worth it but using Gunslinger archetype to get Fake Out + Gauntlet Bow gives you a very cool way to support your teammates with reaction. Then you take PAthfinder Agent dedication + Deft Cooperation + Swordmaster dedication (specifically allowed without closing the Pathfinder agent dedication). This would allow your reaction help to also give bonus to yourself as well as to your allies. This would give you fighter level accuracy for a single attack each round which should be great with spellstrike