Arcane Mastery--is it worth it for this? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Mastery--is it worth it for this? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Schatten9
08-27-06, 11:59 PM I'm playing a warlock, caster level 12th, and I have the Voracious Dispelling invocation. I'm considering Arcane Mastery as a feat to assist when I attempt to dispel magic, but...

Arcane Mastery is a feat which lets you take 10 on caster level checks. Now, when casting dispel magic, you roll d20 and add that to your caster level, the caster level cap being +10. So, the best you could get is 30 (if you roll a 20) to beat spell resistance without other feats assisting (Spell Penetration, Greater SP, etc.) Being able to take 10 on caster level checks means I'd always get a 20 when trying to dispel something. This gives me a 2/3 measure of ultimate success compared with making an actual roll on the
d20.

Now, consider that to dispel something, I have to beat the opponent's caster level +11 for the DC. What is NOT indicated in the PHB is if there is a cap on that, and I'm assuming there isn't. If there were, then the max DC would be 21 (unenhanced) and the Arcane Mastery feat would totally be worth it. However, considering we're all at level 13 in my DM's campaign, I'm sure we won't be facing level 10 casters any more and if it doesn't cap at 10, then I could be up against DC's that will always be higher than 21. If that's the case, Arcane Mastery would be a totally wasted feat for me to take.

What do you think? Am I missing something? This feat seems to be one of those feats that's only useful at early levels.
-Schatten
Mystyc
08-28-06, 12:10 AM It's not so much worth it for dispelling, but it's often worth it against spell resistance (since that caster level check is uncapped).
greatamericanfolkhero
08-28-06, 01:06 AM If your DM is a fan of SR monsters, it's worth it.
Oliver D'Argent
08-28-06, 08:01 AM Considering that you have the Vitriolic Blast invocation, the only creatures that you would have to roll to overcome SR would be those that are immune to acid damage and that have SR. The only creatures I can think of offhand that qualify are Black Dragons, Green Dragons and Clay Golems. If you think you might run into Clay Golems, try to get an adamantine mace or warhammer because they are immune to your regular EB and acid damage heals them.
Seeker of Undeath
08-28-06, 08:46 AM The entire problem with the way you want to use Arcane Mastery is this: A dispel check is not the same thing as a caster level check. You make caster level checks to beat spell resistance (and for a few other uncommon occurances). You make dispel checks to dispel magic. While I realize the equation is the same, they are two different actions. This may sound odd, but the same situation occurs when one compares an attack roll with a strength check. You utilize the same numbers (base attack, strength, size, miscellaneous other), but they are still two different actions and are treated as such.

It's an annoying thing, true. Although if your DM approves this cheese, then by all means show him the pain of being able to take ten on dispel checks. Frankly I'd go ahead and take Devour Magic when that became an option. It's healing on the go. If you have a magic item you don't want to use, just keep it as "the renewing potion of health".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Schatten9 08-27-06, 11:59 PM	I'm playing a warlock, caster level 12th, and I have the Voracious Dispelling invocation. I'm considering Arcane Mastery as a feat to assist when I attempt to dispel magic, but... Arcane Mastery is a feat which lets you take 10 on caster level checks. Now, when casting dispel magic, you roll d20 and add that to your caster level, the caster level cap being +10. So, the best you could get is 30 (if you roll a 20) to beat spell resistance without other feats assisting (Spell Penetration, Greater SP, etc.) Being able to take 10 on caster level checks means I'd always get a 20 when trying to dispel something. This gives me a 2/3 measure of ultimate success compared with making an actual roll on the d20. Now, consider that to dispel something, I have to beat the opponent's caster level +11 for the DC. What is NOT indicated in the PHB is if there is a cap on that, and I'm assuming there isn't. If there were, then the max DC would be 21 (unenhanced) and the Arcane Mastery feat would totally be worth it. However, considering we're all at level 13 in my DM's campaign, I'm sure we won't be facing level 10 casters any more and if it doesn't cap at 10, then I could be up against DC's that will always be higher than 21. If that's the case, Arcane Mastery would be a totally wasted feat for me to take. What do you think? Am I missing something? This feat seems to be one of those feats that's only useful at early levels. -Schatten
Mystyc 08-28-06, 12:10 AM	It's not so much worth it for dispelling, but it's often worth it against spell resistance (since that caster level check is uncapped).
greatamericanfolkhero 08-28-06, 01:06 AM	If your DM is a fan of SR monsters, it's worth it.
Oliver D'Argent 08-28-06, 08:01 AM	Considering that you have the Vitriolic Blast invocation, the only creatures that you would have to roll to overcome SR would be those that are immune to acid damage and that have SR. The only creatures I can think of offhand that qualify are Black Dragons, Green Dragons and Clay Golems. If you think you might run into Clay Golems, try to get an adamantine mace or warhammer because they are immune to your regular EB and acid damage heals them.
Seeker of Undeath 08-28-06, 08:46 AM	The entire problem with the way you want to use Arcane Mastery is this: A dispel check is not the same thing as a caster level check. You make caster level checks to beat spell resistance (and for a few other uncommon occurances). You make dispel checks to dispel magic. While I realize the equation is the same, they are two different actions. This may sound odd, but the same situation occurs when one compares an attack roll with a strength check. You utilize the same numbers (base attack, strength, size, miscellaneous other), but they are still two different actions and are treated as such. It's an annoying thing, true. Although if your DM approves this cheese, then by all means show him the pain of being able to take ten on dispel checks. Frankly I'd go ahead and take Devour Magic when that became an option. It's healing on the go. If you have a magic item you don't want to use, just keep it as "the renewing potion of health".