Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hovnarr 11-09-04, 07:19 AM	I was thinking of picking up archmage later on but wonder if you can select High Arcana: Spell Power more than once, eliminating one 5 level slot every time. Possible?
carnivore 11-09-04, 09:43 AM	yes, but wasteful :D
hovnarr 11-09-04, 10:47 AM	Or is it? Infact, what is more wasteful: to do that or take 20 levels as a straight sorceror? Allow me to expound: Let's say for simplicity that there is only one other high arcana that appears useful for you (mastery of elements for instance) and that you're gonna take 4xSpell Power. Let's also say that you're interested in Spell Penetration and GSP, as well as Spell Focus and GSF in the school of your choice. Furthermore, you have no other PrC options than Archmage available. Given these circumstance, I wonder if it would be better to skip on Spell Penetration and GSP and get 4x Spell Power instead (which does the same thing - and alot more). Instead of those feats, I take Skill Focus: Spellcraft and Spell Focus in a secondary school to qualify for archmage. So compare these two at level 20 (all other variables are equal): A) Sorceror 20: *Spell Penetration (at lvl 15) *Greater Spell Penetration (at lvl 18) *No restriction on skills B) Sorceror 15/Archmage5 *Spell Focus: Secondary school (before lvl 18) *Skill Focus: Spellcraft (before lvl 18) *4x Spell Power *Mastery of Elements -4 5th level slots -1 8th level slot -Restriction on skills Both A and B are equally good at overcoming spell resistance. The straight sorceror has less restrictive skills. Let us say that the Spell Focus to a secondary school and the skill focus on spell craft weigh up for the restrictive allocation of skill points. What I wonder then is: Q: Is it worth sacrificing 4 5th level slots and an 8th level slot to have elemental mastery and +4 to caster level in other circumstances than overcoming SR? The fact of the matter is that I'm playing core 3.5 and there is not a single PrC except Archmage that is possible for my solo campaign sorceror. And in these circumstances I'm actually contemplating if a straight sorceror would be better... It all comes down to the question in bold above. As I see it, if I go for archmage I'm sacrificing versatility at lower levels for power at higher levels which is sort of what the sorceror does already and I had better not make this worse if I intend to survive. Still, taking 20 levels of straight sorceror is the worst you can do, not counting worse alternatives :D Suggestions?
carnivore 11-09-04, 10:52 AM	if you are playing core only, how about this: sorceror 7/ loremaster 10 / archmage 3 :D
carnivore 11-09-04, 11:06 AM	sorry my brain is not working properly try B)Sorceror 15/Archmage5 mastery of elements mastery of counterspelling mastery of shaping arcane reach arcane fire
hovnarr 11-09-04, 12:00 PM	Yes... loremaster is not a viable option in core since sorcerors only have one knowledge skill as a class skill. I take it that is what you meant with the brain reference... To your other suggestions: *mastery of elements - very useful for my sorceror, especially for acid fog and scorching ray *mastery of counterspelling - A precious few spells are affected by spell turning. When I'm in a position to counter spell, I prefer to ready a spell that deals alot of damage which also ruins concentration rather than actually counterspelling. Not very useful to me. *mastery of shaping - Normally very useful, but this is a solo campaign so I have no allies to make room for. I move three dimensionally so there is rarely a need to make a hole for myself. *arcane reach - touch spells? I have none as I prefer to stay out of enemies' reach. Infact I would only pick one up if I had arcane reach which is sort of an odd way to go about it. Irresistble dance, vampiric touch and touch of idiocy are viable spells, but there are better options on each level suggesting that I won't have any use for this ability. *arcane fire - not worth it. At that level I will have more efficient ways of dealing with higly spell resistant/energy immune enemies. Shapechange, for instance. Having said that, I would still like your opinion (and anyone else's) on my original question re: 4x spell power rather than the feats SP and GSP - is it worth the tradeoff? Cheers!
Nightspirit 11-09-04, 12:02 PM	if your only problem is to overcome SR how do you don't take a level of marshall with the minor aura "determined caster"(add your cha bonus on all your CL checks for overcome SR)? You lose one 9th level spell known(I think this is a good solution, especially if you can take arcane disciple feat or something that gives you more spells known...actually i am searching for something that gives me gate or shapechange at 9th level, any Evil things are good) you can also use spells like spell vulnerability or lower spell resistance, you don't need to take SP and GSP the archmage levels are quiet good especially if you take mastery of elements, arcane reach, mastery of shaping ad two spell-like abilitites
hovnarr 11-09-04, 12:34 PM	I'm sorry Nightspirit, this is a core (as per 3.5 SRD) only campaign. Read my post above - it sums up my evaluation of the high arcana abilities in this meta context. To clarify, there is no possibility of the Marshall PrC, the spell vulnerability or the lower resistance spell. 3.5 SRD only. I would prefer it if my actual question was considered and answered. A or B?
Ualaa 11-09-04, 07:24 PM	I'd either go (A) Sorcerer 20, with Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration, or (C) Sorcerer 19/Archmage 1 (Mastery of Elements) with Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration. As a Sorcerer I'd rather spend 2 feats, then sacrifice four 5th level spells.
Aluroon 11-09-04, 07:48 PM	I Disagree, I would say save the feats, beat your spells per day up, its not like you dont have enough of them, losting a few is not biggie for a sorcerer. B) is my choice. Aluroon