Post/Author/DateTime	Post
groveborn 05-28-07, 07:18 AM	Ok, tell me if the name is already taken, because I don't know. Here's what I figure: Weapon and Armor Proficiencies Magus are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow and quarterstaff. The Magus is not proficient in any armor or shield, and suffers arcane spell failure if any is worn. Alignment: Any Hit Die: d4 Skills points at 1st level: (2 + Int modifier) x 4 Skill Point at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier Spells: The Magus prepares spells like Wizards, that is, a Magus has “spell slots” that can be filled with a prepared spell just as Wizards do, but they are cast like a Sorcerer. The prepared spells are not lost when they are cast as they are for Wizards, but only those spells prepared by a Magus may be cast until he changes prepared spells. A Magus may spend a minimum of 15 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour preparing spells, but he may do so only after resting for 8 full hours. The Magus learns no new spells as a result of gaining new levels, though he may purchase, research, or borrow spells just like a Wizard. Follow the Wizard's spell progression on spells per day to get the max number of spells in the list for any given level, but the number of actual castings and level of spells that CAN be prepared should follow the Sorcerer's advancement, as well as bonuses gained from Cha. The Magus is not a spontaneous caster so far as requirements for feats and prestige classes are concerned. He does not gain the bonus feats that are typical for Wizards, but he may summon a familiar beginning at first level, with the same rules and stipulations for Wizards. Other than what is outlined here, Magus' are to be considered like Wizards for all other rules. So, what do you think? Too weak, too powerful, too something else?
queenfange 05-28-07, 09:37 AM	I don't really get how they're different from wizards. Are you saying that they prepare spells and everything just like a wizard, but then can choose to cast a prepared spell more than once in place of another prepared spell?
groveborn 05-28-07, 05:02 PM	Sorry, i guess that wasn't very clear. They prepare a list of spells, up to a maximum, then cast from that list of spells. Rather than "memorizing" four of a particular spell to cast it four times, they can memorize four different spells and then choose which to cast from their total available spell usages. Think a sorcerer who can switch out spells everyday.
Lina_Inverse 05-28-07, 05:09 PM	So you took everything good about the wizard except int based casting, and added everything good about the sorcerer to it? Oh and gave it bonus "spells known" Are you crazy? Much as i do like(and use) the casting system presented. You didn't take the time to house rule darn near every spell in the game making this class. Druid levels of cheese.
Secrets Untold 05-28-07, 06:25 PM	I'd give it sorcerer spell level progression rather than a wizard's, but only the wizards spell slot openings, and drop the familiar. With this, you'd get a sorcerer with: PROS -Interchangeable spell list -Counts as a prepared spell caster CONS -Less spell slots than a normal Sorcerer -Doesn't count as a spontanious spell caster -No familiar -Less weapon proficeincies This seems pretty balanced to me. You'd still get all the niceties of being a spotaneous spellcaster, a great spell list (Sor/Wiz), and are perfectly free to PrC with no level-up bonuses. I'd play that.
groveborn 05-29-07, 06:10 AM	I'd give it sorcerer spell level progression rather than a wizard's, but only the wizards spell slot openings, and drop the familiar. With this, you'd get a sorcerer with: PROS -Interchangeable spell list -Counts as a prepared spell caster CONS -Less spell slots than a normal Sorcerer -Doesn't count as a spontanious spell caster -No familiar -Less weapon proficeincies This seems pretty balanced to me. You'd still get all the niceties of being a spotaneous spellcaster, a great spell list (Sor/Wiz), and are perfectly free to PrC with no level-up bonuses. I'd play that. I spent all of 10 minutes on it. I like your ideas though, and I think I'll take them. I do disagree with the familiar though, as both wizards and sorcerers gain familiars. I was really just looking for a melding of the two classes. The interchangeable spell list with the spontaneous casting is what it's all about, but if I try to take too much then it'll just be weak. I've already taken the extra feats out, and by lowering the spells per day, the class is on par with either wiz/sorc. I also didn't consider the ramifications of giving a bonus to spell slots. So, which should determine caster DC, Int or Cha? Now for you other folks who don't like the idea, that's fine, but rather than calling other people stupid, try just improving the idea, rather than putting it down.
TheWhirlingDeathaxe 05-29-07, 03:17 PM	In reference to the Magus idea, as it is I wouldnt neccisarily want to choose to play a Magus over one a Sorc. or Wiz. every time so it is probably pretty close to balanced. Might wanna consider adding some flavor to it though. Think about what types of people would become a Magus rather than one of the other Arcane classes. Other than simple spell casting mechanics, what makes it different?
mobius2702 05-29-07, 05:42 PM	I believe you are looking for the arcane version of the Spirit Shaman (CD), without the flavor of that class. It retrieves divine spells per day, and casts them spontaneously. It has its own chart, and could be adapted to fit an arcane caster.
groveborn 05-30-07, 05:18 AM	Perhaps, but I'm not exactly looking for publishment here, I was thinking about presenting it to my group (primarily my DM of course) so that I can use it. I just wanted it fine tuned first. I don't really care about flavor, I was going for mechanics. I'll add flavor when I play it :)
mobius2702 05-30-07, 07:41 AM	Well, I would still think that the Spirit Shaman casting mechanics could be adapted verbatim to fit what you're looking for. As an added bonus, I would think a DM would be much more open to the idea if it seemed adapted from an existing class rather than invented from the ground up. You're looking to memorize a certain number of spells from your spell book and cast them spontaneously. A spirit shaman retrieves a certain number of spells from their spell list and casts them spontaneously each day. The mechanics of this casting system have already been done. Allows you to spend more time on the flavor.
groveborn 05-31-07, 05:11 AM	Well, I would still think that the Spirit Shaman casting mechanics could be adapted verbatim to fit what you're looking for. As an added bonus, I would think a DM would be much more open to the idea if it seemed adapted from an existing class rather than invented from the ground up. You're looking to memorize a certain number of spells from your spell book and cast them spontaneously. A spirit shaman retrieves a certain number of spells from their spell list and casts them spontaneously each day. The mechanics of this casting system have already been done. Allows you to spend more time on the flavor. Sorry, I wasn't referring to your posting when I last commented, I will look that up and see how it works, since it seems it's already been done and all.