Arcane Mastery Feat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Mastery Feat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Grievous
09-08-05, 12:06 PM okay, this feat allows people to take 10 on caster level checks. Now the only time I really see caster level checks be a big thing is to overcome spell resistance. Now I am somewhat new to the game and have heard that taking 10 means you succeed, that your assumed to have taken as much time as needed to do the job, but those all apply to non-combat situations, so when I do this in a combat situation does it automatically overcome the SR of the creature or do we just put 10 in place of the die roll? If its the latter one then I fail to see it being much use even in non-combat situations, I mean, what are caster lvl checks used for outside of battle? anyways I appreciate anyone who can help me out with this dilemma, thanks.
Ut-Napishtim
09-08-05, 12:27 PM I believe in the case of this feat taking 10 doesn't take any extra time like the Rogue's Skill Mastery ability. Taking 10 doesn't mean you automatically succeed, but is counted as a 10 on the d20. So, as a caster with Arcane Mastery you could automatically overcome SR or dispel effects in situations where you'd usually have a 45% chance or better when normally you'd have to roll. This is more beneficial obviously to more powerful casters, especially when coupled with Spell Penetration. As always, depending on your build and power level your individual mileage may vary. Like most feats it's applications are somewhat limited, but it could be a lifesaver in the right situations.
:twocents:
WombleHunter
09-08-05, 12:29 PM Taking 10 is a rule that allows you to assume you perform averagely at a task, and therefore treat your skill check result (or whatever you are rolling) as though you had rolled a 10 on the d20.

Normally, you can't use this rule in combat, because you are being distracted and are in a high-stress situation. The Arcane Mastery feat does indeed allow you to Take 10 on caster level checks, which you might want to do when facing creatures with low-to medium SR or atempting to dispel an effect with a caster level 2 or more levels lower than yours.

It's also useful in a power build, where you take the Initiate of Mystra feat (that allows you to cast spells in an Anti-magic field with a caster level check of DC11+the caster level of the field), then Arcane Mastery (so you can take 10 on this check), and then cast your own Anti-magic field at a caster level two lower than your normal (you can cast spells at a lower caster level is you choose as long as this number is at least the minimum level you would need to be when casting the spell). Hey presto, you are surrounded by an anti-magic field which does not affect your spells.
Xanthia
09-08-05, 01:15 PM What books are those two feats from?
tarkin
09-08-05, 01:55 PM Arcane Mastery = Complete Arcane. Reasonable feat.

Initiate of Mystra = Players guide to Faerun, pre-req is 3rd level cleric.

But...

Strict Game: Iniitiate of Mystra not allowed.

Loose Game: Initiatie of Mystra allowed, but a Loose DM will also rule against the idea mentioned here. Perhaps: as an Initiate of Mystra it would be considered a profane act to make an Anti-Magic Fields (Mystra is the god of MAGIC, she grants you the feat cause she does not like anti-magic)

Power Game: Initiate of Mystra allowed, can make Anti-Magic fields, but expect the DM to rule that the Initiate feat only works when casting Cleric spells.

Anything Goes Game: Go for you uber-caster.
WombleHunter
09-08-05, 04:16 PM Also: Arcane Mastery requires you to be able to cast Arcane spells, although its benefit is not excluded from Divine spells.
Mistwell
09-08-05, 04:18 PM I consider it a very valuable feat.

Assume you will likely be facing lots of foes with Spell Resistance 20. Assume also your caster level is 10. Therefore, if you roll a 10 or more on the check, you will overcome the foes' spell resistance. However, if you roll less than 10, you will fail. Taking this feat means you always suceed, because you always have a 10 on your roll.

I am probably going with a 10th level Gnome Illusionist right now with a level in the Shadow Adept prestige class (+5 to spell resistance penetration with enchantments, necromancy, or illusion spells). I will likely take this feat to go along with it, so I can always get through SR 25 or less. I think it will be worth it, as the adventure we are going to be playing will likely have lots of opponants with spell resistance, and my character would be useless 50% of the time if I always had to roll.
Sjay1
09-08-05, 04:46 PM cheater of mystra yeaahhhh..thats it right?..or am i too tired to function right now?...
IMarvinTPA
09-08-05, 05:49 PM You also need to do caster level checks when using a scroll with a spell level higher than the one you can cast. If you have this feat, Practiced Spell Caster, and a few levels of multi-classing, you can still use scrolls your character level could cast safely.

IMarv
Merestil Haye
09-08-05, 06:04 PM It's also useful in a power build, where you take the Initiate of Mystra feat (that allows you to cast spells in an Anti-magic field with a caster level check of DC11+the caster level of the field), then Arcane Mastery (so you can take 10 on this check), and then cast your own Anti-magic field at a caster level two lower than your normal (you can cast spells at a lower caster level is you choose as long as this number is at least the minimum level you would need to be when casting the spell). Hey presto, you are surrounded by an anti-magic field which does not affect your spells.Could you provide a cite from the rules for this please, as I am not aware of this.

It may not come from the item creation rules, as they apply only to crafting items.
IMarvinTPA
09-08-05, 06:15 PM http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/magicOverview.htm#casterLevel

Caster Level

A spell’s power often depends on its caster level, which for most spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class you’re using to cast the spell.

You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.

In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level check to overcome your target’s spell resistance and to the caster level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the check).

IMarv
Merestil Haye
09-08-05, 07:03 PM Interesting.

Thanks.
Heavy Metal Elf
09-08-05, 09:38 PM I am playing a level 13 wizard in the City of the Spider Queen-- lots of SR baddies (especially drow) and there have only been two things that beat my 22/23 SR checks so far. A roper and a slime roper. So there you go, it's one of the best feats I have taken, I feel. (Although I was forced to give up item familiar and retropick AM). And if you ever have a BBEG that you simply can't take down by taking 10, bring along a scroll or 2 of Assay Resistence, or memorize the spell once per day.

Me: I cast Prismatic Ray on the drow priestess...okay, save or turn to stone.
DM: What's the DC?
Me: It's 5th level, so 24.
DM: *Rolls eyes*
...D**n Spellcasting Prodigy!
DM: Wait! Roll me an SR check! ::laughs to himself::
Me: (immediately) 23
DM: What?!
...D**n broken feat...grumble grumble...

Actual transcription from a few sessions ago..
WombleHunter
09-09-05, 07:01 AM I don't think Spellcasting Prodigy affects DCs.
Grievous
09-09-05, 10:47 AM okay, well thanks all for helping shed light on this for me, im a warmage and I figure it will go well with my spell penetration then later greater sp feats. many thanks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Grievous 09-08-05, 12:06 PM	okay, this feat allows people to take 10 on caster level checks. Now the only time I really see caster level checks be a big thing is to overcome spell resistance. Now I am somewhat new to the game and have heard that taking 10 means you succeed, that your assumed to have taken as much time as needed to do the job, but those all apply to non-combat situations, so when I do this in a combat situation does it automatically overcome the SR of the creature or do we just put 10 in place of the die roll? If its the latter one then I fail to see it being much use even in non-combat situations, I mean, what are caster lvl checks used for outside of battle? anyways I appreciate anyone who can help me out with this dilemma, thanks.
Ut-Napishtim 09-08-05, 12:27 PM	I believe in the case of this feat taking 10 doesn't take any extra time like the Rogue's Skill Mastery ability. Taking 10 doesn't mean you automatically succeed, but is counted as a 10 on the d20. So, as a caster with Arcane Mastery you could automatically overcome SR or dispel effects in situations where you'd usually have a 45% chance or better when normally you'd have to roll. This is more beneficial obviously to more powerful casters, especially when coupled with Spell Penetration. As always, depending on your build and power level your individual mileage may vary. Like most feats it's applications are somewhat limited, but it could be a lifesaver in the right situations. :twocents:
WombleHunter 09-08-05, 12:29 PM	Taking 10 is a rule that allows you to assume you perform averagely at a task, and therefore treat your skill check result (or whatever you are rolling) as though you had rolled a 10 on the d20. Normally, you can't use this rule in combat, because you are being distracted and are in a high-stress situation. The Arcane Mastery feat does indeed allow you to Take 10 on caster level checks, which you might want to do when facing creatures with low-to medium SR or atempting to dispel an effect with a caster level 2 or more levels lower than yours. It's also useful in a power build, where you take the Initiate of Mystra feat (that allows you to cast spells in an Anti-magic field with a caster level check of DC11+the caster level of the field), then Arcane Mastery (so you can take 10 on this check), and then cast your own Anti-magic field at a caster level two lower than your normal (you can cast spells at a lower caster level is you choose as long as this number is at least the minimum level you would need to be when casting the spell). Hey presto, you are surrounded by an anti-magic field which does not affect your spells.
Xanthia 09-08-05, 01:15 PM	What books are those two feats from?
tarkin 09-08-05, 01:55 PM	Arcane Mastery = Complete Arcane. Reasonable feat. Initiate of Mystra = Players guide to Faerun, pre-req is 3rd level cleric. But... Strict Game: Iniitiate of Mystra not allowed. Loose Game: Initiatie of Mystra allowed, but a Loose DM will also rule against the idea mentioned here. Perhaps: as an Initiate of Mystra it would be considered a profane act to make an Anti-Magic Fields (Mystra is the god of MAGIC, she grants you the feat cause she does not like anti-magic) Power Game: Initiate of Mystra allowed, can make Anti-Magic fields, but expect the DM to rule that the Initiate feat only works when casting Cleric spells. Anything Goes Game: Go for you uber-caster.
WombleHunter 09-08-05, 04:16 PM	Also: Arcane Mastery requires you to be able to cast Arcane spells, although its benefit is not excluded from Divine spells.
Mistwell 09-08-05, 04:18 PM	I consider it a very valuable feat. Assume you will likely be facing lots of foes with Spell Resistance 20. Assume also your caster level is 10. Therefore, if you roll a 10 or more on the check, you will overcome the foes' spell resistance. However, if you roll less than 10, you will fail. Taking this feat means you always suceed, because you always have a 10 on your roll. I am probably going with a 10th level Gnome Illusionist right now with a level in the Shadow Adept prestige class (+5 to spell resistance penetration with enchantments, necromancy, or illusion spells). I will likely take this feat to go along with it, so I can always get through SR 25 or less. I think it will be worth it, as the adventure we are going to be playing will likely have lots of opponants with spell resistance, and my character would be useless 50% of the time if I always had to roll.
Sjay1 09-08-05, 04:46 PM	cheater of mystra yeaahhhh..thats it right?..or am i too tired to function right now?...
IMarvinTPA 09-08-05, 05:49 PM	You also need to do caster level checks when using a scroll with a spell level higher than the one you can cast. If you have this feat, Practiced Spell Caster, and a few levels of multi-classing, you can still use scrolls your character level could cast safely. IMarv
Merestil Haye 09-08-05, 06:04 PM	It's also useful in a power build, where you take the Initiate of Mystra feat (that allows you to cast spells in an Anti-magic field with a caster level check of DC11+the caster level of the field), then Arcane Mastery (so you can take 10 on this check), and then cast your own Anti-magic field at a caster level two lower than your normal (you can cast spells at a lower caster level is you choose as long as this number is at least the minimum level you would need to be when casting the spell). Hey presto, you are surrounded by an anti-magic field which does not affect your spells.Could you provide a cite from the rules for this please, as I am not aware of this. It may not come from the item creation rules, as they apply only to crafting items.
IMarvinTPA 09-08-05, 06:15 PM	http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/magicOverview.htm#casterLevel Caster Level A spell’s power often depends on its caster level, which for most spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class you’re using to cast the spell. You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level. In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level check to overcome your target’s spell resistance and to the caster level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the check). IMarv
Merestil Haye 09-08-05, 07:03 PM	Interesting. Thanks.
Heavy Metal Elf 09-08-05, 09:38 PM	I am playing a level 13 wizard in the City of the Spider Queen-- lots of SR baddies (especially drow) and there have only been two things that beat my 22/23 SR checks so far. A roper and a slime roper. So there you go, it's one of the best feats I have taken, I feel. (Although I was forced to give up item familiar and retropick AM). And if you ever have a BBEG that you simply can't take down by taking 10, bring along a scroll or 2 of Assay Resistence, or memorize the spell once per day. Me: I cast Prismatic Ray on the drow priestess...okay, save or turn to stone. DM: What's the DC? Me: It's 5th level, so 24. DM: Rolls eyes ...Dn Spellcasting Prodigy! DM: Wait! Roll me an SR check! ::laughs to himself:: Me: (immediately) 23 DM: What?! ...Dn broken feat...grumble grumble... Actual transcription from a few sessions ago..
WombleHunter 09-09-05, 07:01 AM	I don't think Spellcasting Prodigy affects DCs.
Grievous 09-09-05, 10:47 AM	okay, well thanks all for helping shed light on this for me, im a warmage and I figure it will go well with my spell penetration then later greater sp feats. many thanks.