Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pentar 07-15-04, 04:30 PM	Heylo everyone, Some of you may recall a few weeks ago, I asked some advised about taking the Archmage PrC. I did elect to take another level in that class and I took the Mastery of Elements arcana. In the first session since I did that, it had already proved vastly useful, so thank you for everyone who suggested and recommended it. :) I do have a question though - the arcana indicates that it takes effect at the time of casting. This is all well and good, except does it work on casting spells from Scrolls? Or from wands or other sources? Would it work on a spell-like ability? Thanks in advance.
cwslyclgh 07-15-04, 06:13 PM	as a DM I would rule that it would only work on spells that you actually cast (or spell-like abilities if you got them from the archmage high arcana--Spell like ability).
J. Grenemyer 07-15-04, 07:06 PM	Hello, Originally posted by cwslyclgh as a DM I would rule that it would only work on spells that you actually cast (or spell-like abilities if you got them from the archmage high arcana--Spell like ability). I do the same in my game. There's no good reason to believe the ability is meant to function in any other way. :D
Heron_Marked_Blade 07-15-04, 09:28 PM	What would you rule in the case of an Archmage scribing a scroll using his Mastery of Elements ability? For example, scribing a scroll of fireball but making it deal cold damage?
cwslyclgh 07-15-04, 09:43 PM	I would allow that, but in that case the scroll would allways do a cold damage fireball... no matter who used it.
cwslyclgh 07-15-04, 10:01 PM	I would allow that, but in that case the scroll would allways do a cold damage fireball... no matter who used it.
Bopple 07-15-04, 11:04 PM	Using Spell-like ability is not casting a spell. Using wand is not casting your spell, you just trigger off the spell stored. Using scroll is casting a spell - but only partially. You just finishes the final stage of casting the spell stored - verbal/somatic gestures. Nothing more. All in all, you cannot apply that ability to any of those.
Pentar 07-16-04, 11:03 AM	A'ight - seems universally agreed that the Arcana cannot change the elemental types of scorlls/wands and other spell-like devices and abilities. Thanks! :)
Sisyfos 07-16-04, 11:46 AM	Oh and a bit off topic. Take another level of archmage and pick mastery of shaping. There is nothing like dropping a sonic fireball into a melee and leaving all allies unharmed, casting a wail of banshee that only kills enemies, dropping all enemies around your friends with a single horrid wilting spell et cetera. Sisyfos
Pentar 07-16-04, 12:00 PM	Originally posted by Sisyfos Oh and a bit off topic. Take another level of archmage and pick mastery of shaping. There is nothing like dropping a sonic fireball into a melee and leaving all allies unharmed, casting a wail of banshee that only kills enemies, dropping all enemies around your friends with a single horrid wilting spell et cetera. Sisyfos Heya Sisyfos, Yah, I've considered Mastery of Shaping as well. That would be a nice feature - opens up a LOT of options all of a sudden. But damn, all these arcana are getting costly on my spells per day!! I'm practically a walking bag of scrolls now in order to keep up with contingency spells I need to have ready :) Hmm.. question about Horrid Wilting - shouldn't I be able to pick my targets with that spell and not harm allies anyway? I don't believe the spell is area of effect - it's just target, each of which cannot be more than 30' from the last?
cwslyclgh 07-16-04, 12:39 PM	Hmm.. question about Horrid Wilting - shouldn't I be able to pick my targets with that spell and not harm allies anyway? I don't believe the spell is area of effect - it's just target, each of which cannot be more than 30' from the last? you are correct, horrid wilting was a bad example on Sisyfos' part ;)
Sisyfos 07-16-04, 01:32 PM	Originally posted by cwslyclgh you are correct, horrid wilting was a bad example on Sisyfos' part ;) :headexplo :banghead: :tantrum: ;) Indeed. Sisyfos
Bifford 07-16-04, 03:33 PM	Mastery of Elements and Mastery of Shaping are the reason to take archmage levels. Spell Power is for fools who only look at the numbers.
Pentar 07-19-04, 11:58 AM	Originally posted by Bifford Mastery of Elements and Mastery of Shaping are the reason to take archmage levels. Spell Power is for fools who only look at the numbers. I took it for Spell-like ability too. :)
Sancus 07-19-04, 12:47 PM	My currently 20th level wizard has Spell Power +1 three times, mastery of shaping, and elements. The extra +3 CL comes in handy more often than you'd think. Enemies with SR are not fans of it :) And it's also good to get access to such forms as Titan with Shapechange.