Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Adelus 04-20-07, 09:27 PM	Observant Arcanist There are many sorcerers who pride themselves in their abilities to cast spells purely on will; to move the universe to their whim. However, there are those who are not blinded enough by ego to see the inherent shortcomings of their abilities compared to their more studious brethren. And there are even fewer that can see and feel the tangled web of arcane forces that make up the spells they cast. Those that can may learn to duplicate these effects for themselves, and gain a great power. However, power is always fleeting... Requirements To qualify to become an Observant Arcanist, a character must meet the following conditions Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 12 ranks, Spellcraft 12 ranks, Concentration 12 ranks. Spells: Able to spontaneously cast 5th level Arcane spells or higher. Feats: Any spell focus, any two metamagic. Deed: A prospective Observant Arcanist must be able to cast at least one spell from five different schools of magic. Alignment: Any Hit Die: d4 Class Skills: Concentration (Con), Spellcraft (Int), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Craft (Int), Spot (Wis), Listen (Wis) Skill Points: 2+INT Class Features Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Observatory Learning (Ex), Defensive Spell Penalties (Ex) 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Detect Magic (Sp) 4 +2 +1 +1 +4 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Spell Swap (Su) 6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Mimic Spell (3/week)(Sp) 7 +3 +2 +2 +5 8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Mimic Spell (1/day)(Sp) 9 +4 +3 +3 +6 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Expanded Horizons (Ex), Mimic Spell (3/day) (Sp) Weapon and Armor Proficiency An Observant Arcanist gains no proficiency with any weapons or armor. Spells An Observant Arcanist continues to gain new spells per day and spells known (if applicable) as if he had gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 5th-level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not gain any other benefit from that class. If he had more than one arcane spellcasting class, he must decide which class to add each level of Observant Arcanist to for determining spells per day. Observatory Learning (Ex): At first level, an Observant Arcanist has fine tuned his senses to the intricate weaves and folds of magic. The Observant Arcanist gains one Observed spell slot of each spell level as they advance, starting with a bonus 0th level slot at 1st level and then one to each subsequent level. When an Observant Arcanist witnesses a spell being cast, they may make a concentration check as a free action to learn the spell. The DC for learning a spell in this manner is 15+Caster Level of the spell. If successful, the spell is added to the observed spell slot of it's level, taking the place of any spell that may already be there. Spells in the Observed spell slot are cast at one caster level below the norm. Defensive Spell Penalties (Ex): An Observant Arcanist's spells in the observed spell slots may not be cast defensively. Detect Magic (Su): At 3rd level, an Observant Arcanist gains the Detect Magic spell as an on-will ability similar to the Paladin's ability to Detect Evil. Spell Swap (Su): At 5th level, an Observant Arcanist has become so masterful at the art of spell learning that they can sacrifice knowledge they already know in order to solidify an observed spell in their mind. During a rest period, the Observant Arcanist may swap a spell in the Observed spell slot with any other spell of that level they know. The swapped spells take the properties of their respective slots: The spell in the observed spell slot can be lost if replaced, is cast at a lower caster level, and cannot be cast defensively while the spell taking it's place in the normal spells known list acts as a normal learned spell. Mimic Spell (Sp): At 6th level, and every other level afterwards until 10th, you gain the ability to mimic the actions of an enemy spellcaster perfectly as they cast a spell, casting the same spell as them in order to counter theirs. This does not count against your spells per day and does not provoke an Attack of Opportunity. You must prepare this ability one round prior to the actual spellcasting. This does not require material components or an XP cost, and cannot replicate effects such as Miracle, Wish, or Limited Wish. You begin with 3 uses per week, and with every two levels it increases as follows: 1/day, and then 3/day at 10th level. Expanded Horizons (Ex): At 10th level, the Observant Arcanist gains the ability to learn any spell they observe, regardless of what spell list it is from. Should the spell have different spell levels on different lists, it occupies the observatory spell slot of the spell level the caster cast it from. While in the observed spell slot, it must be cast at two caster levels below the norm. For the purposes of casting, it uses the Arcane caster level rather than the Divine. ------------------------------------------------- Alright, I decided to make this class after seeing a few blue magic classes that really didn't tickle my fancy. I just felt there weren't harsh enough penalties and wanted a class that could be a bit more balanced. I already got some help from a far more knowledgeable friend, but I know the community will doubtlessly have more ideas to consider. I welcome criticism eagerly; this is just a first draft and I'm sure it needs a great deal of fine tuning. EDIT: This is the second draft of the Observant Arcanist. Thanks go to kentari for his help with the balance changes! Removed: -Spell forgetfulness (Irrelevent under new mechanics and acted only as an upkeep). -Moved Detect Magic (Sp) to 3rd level. -Arcane Armor Penalty Increase (Too harsh on those who want hybrid spellcasters). -Reworked all remaining class features.
Adelus 04-21-07, 02:00 PM	In hind-sight, putting "First PrC" in the title was probably not the greatest idea.
Fireclave 04-22-07, 01:16 AM	And there are even fewer that can see and feel the tangled web of arcane forces that make up the spells they cast. I have to disagree with this bit of flavor text here. I would say that feeling the "tangled web of arcane forces" is exactly what spontaneous casters do. Spells: Able to cast 5th level spells or higher. Must not prepare spells. This should probably say something more along the lines of "Must be able to spontaneously cast 5th level spells." No need to punish sorcerers who dipped into other casting classes. An Observant Arcanist continues to gain new spells per day and spells known (if applicable) as if he had gained a level in whatever spontaneous arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 5th-level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not gain any other benefit from that class. If he had more than one spontaneous arcane spellcasting class, he must decide which class to add each level of Observant Arcanist to for determining spells per day. I think that's the effect you were going for. Observatory Learning (Ex): At first level, an Observant Arcanist has fine tuned his senses to the intricate weaves and folds of magic. When an Observant Arcanist witnesses a spell being cast, they may hold the spell's properties in their memory for 1d4 days. At any time during the length of time the spell is in their memory, they can decide to learn that spell and add it to their unused spell pool. What's a spell pool :confused: Spells in their unused spell pool may be swapped out with their active spells when resting, similar to how a Wizard prepares their spellbook. But...spontaneous casters (without the Arcane Preparation feat) don't ever prepare spells. Let alone swapping them out. Perhaps this would make more sense if I knew what a spell pool was. The time it takes to learn a spell is defined by the following chart, and only one spell can be learned at a time. If the Arcanist is struck by the spell himself, then the time to learn is halved. So they can only hold a spell in their memory for 1d4 days, but it takes 5 days to learn a casually observed 3rd level spell? Does that mean that they can't casually learn 5th level spells? And doesn't that also mean that they'll never be able to learn 5th level+ spells since, even with the required time to learn them halved, they would need a minimum of 4.5 days. An Observant Arcanist can learn a number of spells equal to 1+ Their charisma modifier per month. I'm all for giving sorcerers a few more bonus spells, but this seem like too much. And are these learned spells limited to just the wis/sor list? Forgetfulness (Ex): At 1st level, spells within the Observant Arcanist's spell pool are considered not to be as well focused on and remembered as his active spells. Once every month, roll 1d3-1 to determine the number of spells they lose that month, if any. Then roll 1d10-1 X times, X being the number of spells they lose. The result on each roll determines what spell level they must remove a spell from. If they do not have a spell of that level, reroll. Still don't know what a spell pool actually is, so I comment much on how this ability works or how its balanced. Increased Armor Penalties (Ex): At 1st level, the Observant Arcanist relies even more so on his freedom of movement and senses to fully experience spells and to likewise direct them. Armor is thus doubly so damaging to their spell success rate, and even removes their ability to learn spells while armored, though they can still remember them and remove the armor at a later date. I don't think it makes much since for learning a new way of thinking about spellcasting to actually make casting spells, the same spells that you've be casting sense the beginning of your career, harder to do. Detect Magic (Su): At 2nd level, an Observant Arcanist gains the Detect Magic spell as an on-will ability similar to the Paladin's ability to Detect Evil. I would word this instead as "At 2nd level, an Observant Arcanist gains the ability to use Detect Magic, as the spell." Also, this is probably more suited as a spell-like ability then a supernatural one. Mimic Spell (Su): At 5th level, you gain the ability to, once per day, cast a spell you just witnessed up to 1d4 rounds after it was cast. This spell is cast at the same caster level as the original spellcaster. Why would merely observing the spell allow you to cast it back with the same amount of power. Insight into casting the spell is one thing, but the power behind it should be dependent on the caster of the spell IMO. Expanded Horizons (Ex): At 7th level, the Observant Arcanist gains the ability to pick spells from any spell list to learn as their caster level and spells known increases. They can also learn spells outside their own spell list using Observatory Learning. However, all of these spells are cast at 5 caster levels lower than they would normally. The Arcanist can spend, at any time, the same length to learn the spell via Observatory Learning to figure out it's intricacies, allowing them to emulate it at full caster level. I feel that the balance of this ability is closely tied to the spell pool mechanic. Sense I don't know how that works, I can't accurately comment on this ability. Spell Permanency (Ex): At 9th level, an Observant Arcanist, nearing the height of their power, gains the ability to store the information of a spell in a magical pocket, protecting it from the forgetful nature of their mind. They may pay an amount of XP as if they were preparing a wand of the same spell level and the lowest caster level that spell can be gained to make that spell permanent in their spell pool, protecting it from the effects of their Forgetfulness. I like the idea behind this, but not the execution. You're taking intangible "knowledge" and placing it into a tangible place of an undefined location. Also, I wouldn't reference wands for such an ability since wands only store up to 4th level spells. Scrolls or Staves would be more appropriate. Spell Swap (Su): At 10th level, an Observant Arcanist has become so masterful at the art of spell learning that they can sacrifice knowledge they already know in order to gain a new spell. Once per day, the Arcanist can use Spell Swap as a quickened spell-like action to gain a spell they observed within 1d4 rounds of it's casting by sacrificing a spell they already know of the same level. First, "quickened spell-like action" sense the ability, being a supernatural ability, is not a spell-like ability that can be quickened. A swift action would probably be more appropriate. Final Comments: The mechanics need to be cleaned up to make them easier to followed, and there needs an explanation of what a spell pool is and how it works. Edit: Crap! As soon as I post this, you've already posted a 2nd draft :banghead:
Adelus 04-22-07, 03:00 AM	Wow, must've had that window open quite a while then...
Fireclave 04-22-07, 04:09 AM	Wow, must've had that window open quite a while then... Actually, yeah I did have it open for a while. I'm easily distracted by the interweb :D
teshen 04-22-07, 08:28 PM	I've looked over this second version... it seems fine on the surface to me. It does seem on the high side of power... but since it requires spontaneous fifth level slots, a character will be higher level anyway to get in (usually entry at level 11)... and the abilities don't get really awesome until the last half of the prc, which will be 15 to 20. I really like this idea.
Adelus 04-24-07, 09:02 PM	I've looked over this second version... it seems fine on the surface to me. It does seem on the high side of power... but since it requires spontaneous fifth level slots, a character will be higher level anyway to get in (usually entry at level 11)... and the abilities don't get really awesome until the last half of the prc, which will be 15 to 20. I really like this idea. Thanks! The reason I went with the spontaneous casting requirement was because I intentionally geared this PrC to be difficult for Wizards to access: They already know how to copy spells into their spellbook, and the Observatory Learning system allows only one extra spell slot per level, and it doesn't grant extra spells per day. And even then, those spells are weaker unless they swap them out with a spell they already know. It'd be a waste for a Wizard to invest in it other than for Mimic Spell, Detect Magic, and Expanded Horizons.
Adelus 04-27-07, 11:21 PM	Sorry for the bump! Did a few more changes. Rearranged class abilities and altered the progression. Also decreased the number of skill points gained per level.
teshen 04-28-07, 11:45 AM	Awww... :( But I liked the int + 4 on a charisma based caster... it actually made them work a little better. Especially since most other full casters have skills that play to their casting stat or just a high intelligence. Oh well. :)
Adelus 04-28-07, 11:37 PM	I've been having second thoughts on changing it myself. Ah well; if it's suggested that 4+INT is better, then I'll probably change it back.