New Prestige Class: Learned Mage [Archive] - Wizards Community

New Prestige Class: Learned Mage [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tarkin
08-29-07, 05:05 PM Learned Mage

Tired of being shown up for his lack of spells and general ignorance, the Sorcorer picks up a Wizard book taken as loot and begins a serious course of study. He finds it not extremely dificult and begins down the path of academia.

Pre req: Ability to spontaneously cast arcane spells of at least 3rd level, Spellcraft (9 ranks), Knowledge Arcana (9 ranks), Scribe Scroll Feat, Arcane Preparation feat, Int 13+

Class features:

Class skills, Skill points, BAB, Saves, are all as wizard

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Learned Mages gain no profciences with any weapon or armor.

Spells per Day/spells known:

When a new Learned Mage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day and spells known as if she had also gained a level in a spell clasting class she already belongs to. She does not however gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If they have multiple spell casting classes, she must select one to benefit. In addition, at each level, she gains +1 caster level of that class.

Note, while you gain a limited spellbook, similar to a wizard, and have Int as a pre-req for the class, you continue to use whichever your normal spellcasting stat (probably Charisma) for all spellcasting purposes. It affects the minimum level of all the spells you can cast, and sets the DC.

Special Abilities At each level a Learned Mage gains at least one new special ability. All abilities stack (A 10th level Learened Mage may prepare a 5th, a 4th, a 3rd, a 2nd, and a 1st level spell.)

Level 1: First Spellbook. The Learned Mage starts a spellbook, just like a wizard. He may attempt to learn and copy any spell Wizard spell of first level that he finds (either from another spellbook, or a scroll) into this spellbook, in the exact same manner that a Wizard does. Doing so does not make it available to his spontaneous casting. Instead each morning, he may spend one hour to attempt to Prepare that spell (using Arcane Preparation). While he may use Arcane Preparation on his normal spells at will, he may only do so for a single first level spell from his spellbook. Also that spell is added to his spell list (to the class his caster level goes up in), but may only be cast via the arcane preparation (unless he learns it normally as well).

Level 2: Learned Mage gets the Eschew Materials feat for free.

Level 3: The Learned Mage may now copy 2nd level Wizard spells into his spell book, and may now prepare a 2nd level (or lower) spell each day. This stacks with the Level 1 ability.

Level 4: The Learned Mage gets the Spell Mastery feat for free.

Level 5: The Learned Mage may now copy 3rd level Wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 3rd level (or lower) spell each day.

Level 6: Select a 1st level spell from those you have in Spell Mastery. That spell permanently and fully joins your spell list for the class whose level you have increased (if it was not already on the list). You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat. I.E., you may cast it using any spell slot for the caster class you increased, not just the prepared slot.

Level 7: The Learned Mage may now copy 4th level wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 4th level (or lower) spell each day.

Level 8: You get Spell Mastery feat again. Select another set of spells that you may prepare without your spell book. Also, you may now select a 2nd level (or lower) spell from those you have Spell Mastery of. You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat.

Level 9: The learned Mage may now copy 5th level wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 5th level (or lower) spell each day.

Level 10: Select a 3rd level (or lower) spell from those you have Spell Mastery of. You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat.

---------------

Basically this represents a Sorceror that has choosen to study like a Wizard despite having the innate ability to cast spells. This lets him learn a lot more spells (upto 5th level), but can only cast one per level per day of these spells. (not including the ones that count as Extra Spell known).

Note however that it can also be taken by Bards. When they do this, they lose a lot more (hitpoints, bab, saves, all their bardic special abilities after they take the class) but it does allow them to add wizard spells to their list of spells known.
StevenO
08-29-07, 11:42 PM Not bad.

The short of it: Allow a sorcerer to gain a spellbook with low level spells and use Arcane Preparation to cast them. At higher levels you can actually add some of them to your sorcerer spells known.

There are a few stickers to me. I would consider limiting your spellbook based on Int just like a wizard; that shouldn't be too limiting but helps reflect a wizard's problem. My second problem is Spell Mastery; I see why you have it (spell moves from book to mastery list to spells known) but do have a problem with your placement. How can you master a 3rd level spell you don't even know yet? Delaying it a level fixes that problem and at that time I'd also make it available to this class just like a wizard so they could avoid the spellbook if desired. Sorry if you don't like the "dead level" but you should move that level 4 ability up to level 5; level 4 is still a BAB and save level.

I'd need to look at it more in the big picture to judge its overall effect. Most sorcerers probably don't take Scribe Scroll (they already cast all the spells they know when they want) or Arcane Preparation although the other prereqs aren't so unlikely to be had by a sorcerer. By that I see a two feat cost to enter the class for four "bonus" feats later, those being Eschew Materials (not a big one) and three Extra Spells (which are valuable.) My one other concern is how this intracts with some of the other PrC's that look at "prepared" and "spontaneous" spellcasting, namely the Ultimate Magus.

Once again, not a bad PrC. It gives the Sorcerer a little more freedom with their weakest spells which is a nice touch but shouldn't be a game breaker.
tarkin
08-30-07, 12:59 PM You have a very good point about getting mastery before they can learn it.

Hm.

How about I give them Spell Mastery TWICE. Once at 4th and then again at level 8.

I gave a preq-req of Int 13+ to take this class. I could boost it to 15+ that way we would not have to worry about the int being high enough. Simpler to do than to discuss it.

I thought about doing that earlier, but decided that it was a bit high for prereqs.

Considering that I am also giving another free Spell Mastery (not a great feat, but worthwhile) do you think this would be a fair solution.
StevenO
08-30-07, 01:57 PM Doubling up on Spellmastery may not be too bad but then I think I'd leave it INT based instead of changing it to a CHA base. True, (INT mod. x2) will still probably be lower than the CHA mod but doubling this would promote INT and I don't consider doubling up using the CHA modifier as an option because then the character can likely throw out that spellbook this class is promoting.

I say don't change the INT 13+ prereq. If you require you spellbook prepared spells to require (10 + spell level) INT and change how you use Spell Mastery it would already encourage a higher INT score without actually requiring it. Consider it a "hidden" prereq if you would just like a character with INT 6 could be a wizard although it is rather pointless.

Spell Mastery may not be a great feat in this situation so doubling as I suggest above isn't too bad. I wouldn't want this feat to take away the spellbook you are getting this character to use while your typical wizard still happily ignores this potentially lifesaving feat because it is only good if your DM purposefully screws you over.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tarkin 08-29-07, 05:05 PM	Learned Mage Tired of being shown up for his lack of spells and general ignorance, the Sorcorer picks up a Wizard book taken as loot and begins a serious course of study. He finds it not extremely dificult and begins down the path of academia. Pre req: Ability to spontaneously cast arcane spells of at least 3rd level, Spellcraft (9 ranks), Knowledge Arcana (9 ranks), Scribe Scroll Feat, Arcane Preparation feat, Int 13+ Class features: Class skills, Skill points, BAB, Saves, are all as wizard Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Learned Mages gain no profciences with any weapon or armor. Spells per Day/spells known: When a new Learned Mage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day and spells known as if she had also gained a level in a spell clasting class she already belongs to. She does not however gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If they have multiple spell casting classes, she must select one to benefit. In addition, at each level, she gains +1 caster level of that class. Note, while you gain a limited spellbook, similar to a wizard, and have Int as a pre-req for the class, you continue to use whichever your normal spellcasting stat (probably Charisma) for all spellcasting purposes. It affects the minimum level of all the spells you can cast, and sets the DC. Special Abilities At each level a Learned Mage gains at least one new special ability. All abilities stack (A 10th level Learened Mage may prepare a 5th, a 4th, a 3rd, a 2nd, and a 1st level spell.) Level 1: First Spellbook. The Learned Mage starts a spellbook, just like a wizard. He may attempt to learn and copy any spell Wizard spell of first level that he finds (either from another spellbook, or a scroll) into this spellbook, in the exact same manner that a Wizard does. Doing so does not make it available to his spontaneous casting. Instead each morning, he may spend one hour to attempt to Prepare that spell (using Arcane Preparation). While he may use Arcane Preparation on his normal spells at will, he may only do so for a single first level spell from his spellbook. Also that spell is added to his spell list (to the class his caster level goes up in), but may only be cast via the arcane preparation (unless he learns it normally as well). Level 2: Learned Mage gets the Eschew Materials feat for free. Level 3: The Learned Mage may now copy 2nd level Wizard spells into his spell book, and may now prepare a 2nd level (or lower) spell each day. This stacks with the Level 1 ability. Level 4: The Learned Mage gets the Spell Mastery feat for free. Level 5: The Learned Mage may now copy 3rd level Wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 3rd level (or lower) spell each day. Level 6: Select a 1st level spell from those you have in Spell Mastery. That spell permanently and fully joins your spell list for the class whose level you have increased (if it was not already on the list). You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat. I.E., you may cast it using any spell slot for the caster class you increased, not just the prepared slot. Level 7: The Learned Mage may now copy 4th level wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 4th level (or lower) spell each day. Level 8: You get Spell Mastery feat again. Select another set of spells that you may prepare without your spell book. Also, you may now select a 2nd level (or lower) spell from those you have Spell Mastery of. You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat. Level 9: The learned Mage may now copy 5th level wizard spells into his spell book, and may prepare a 5th level (or lower) spell each day. Level 10: Select a 3rd level (or lower) spell from those you have Spell Mastery of. You now get the feat Extra Spell for that spell, as a bonus feat. --------------- Basically this represents a Sorceror that has choosen to study like a Wizard despite having the innate ability to cast spells. This lets him learn a lot more spells (upto 5th level), but can only cast one per level per day of these spells. (not including the ones that count as Extra Spell known). Note however that it can also be taken by Bards. When they do this, they lose a lot more (hitpoints, bab, saves, all their bardic special abilities after they take the class) but it does allow them to add wizard spells to their list of spells known.
StevenO 08-29-07, 11:42 PM	Not bad. The short of it: Allow a sorcerer to gain a spellbook with low level spells and use Arcane Preparation to cast them. At higher levels you can actually add some of them to your sorcerer spells known. There are a few stickers to me. I would consider limiting your spellbook based on Int just like a wizard; that shouldn't be too limiting but helps reflect a wizard's problem. My second problem is Spell Mastery; I see why you have it (spell moves from book to mastery list to spells known) but do have a problem with your placement. How can you master a 3rd level spell you don't even know yet? Delaying it a level fixes that problem and at that time I'd also make it available to this class just like a wizard so they could avoid the spellbook if desired. Sorry if you don't like the "dead level" but you should move that level 4 ability up to level 5; level 4 is still a BAB and save level. I'd need to look at it more in the big picture to judge its overall effect. Most sorcerers probably don't take Scribe Scroll (they already cast all the spells they know when they want) or Arcane Preparation although the other prereqs aren't so unlikely to be had by a sorcerer. By that I see a two feat cost to enter the class for four "bonus" feats later, those being Eschew Materials (not a big one) and three Extra Spells (which are valuable.) My one other concern is how this intracts with some of the other PrC's that look at "prepared" and "spontaneous" spellcasting, namely the Ultimate Magus. Once again, not a bad PrC. It gives the Sorcerer a little more freedom with their weakest spells which is a nice touch but shouldn't be a game breaker.
tarkin 08-30-07, 12:59 PM	You have a very good point about getting mastery before they can learn it. Hm. How about I give them Spell Mastery TWICE. Once at 4th and then again at level 8. I gave a preq-req of Int 13+ to take this class. I could boost it to 15+ that way we would not have to worry about the int being high enough. Simpler to do than to discuss it. I thought about doing that earlier, but decided that it was a bit high for prereqs. Considering that I am also giving another free Spell Mastery (not a great feat, but worthwhile) do you think this would be a fair solution.
StevenO 08-30-07, 01:57 PM	Doubling up on Spellmastery may not be too bad but then I think I'd leave it INT based instead of changing it to a CHA base. True, (INT mod. x2) will still probably be lower than the CHA mod but doubling this would promote INT and I don't consider doubling up using the CHA modifier as an option because then the character can likely throw out that spellbook this class is promoting. I say don't change the INT 13+ prereq. If you require you spellbook prepared spells to require (10 + spell level) INT and change how you use Spell Mastery it would already encourage a higher INT score without actually requiring it. Consider it a "hidden" prereq if you would just like a character with INT 6 could be a wizard although it is rather pointless. Spell Mastery may not be a great feat in this situation so doubling as I suggest above isn't too bad. I wouldn't want this feat to take away the spellbook you are getting this character to use while your typical wizard still happily ignores this potentially lifesaving feat because it is only good if your DM purposefully screws you over.