Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tuhljin 02-15-07, 10:35 PM	This is a pretty complicated PrC and I'm a bit concerned about balance, one way or the other. Any input would be greatly appreciated. "A spell, properly prepared earlier that day by a keen-minded individual and unleashed at a pivotal moment can be far more decisive than any sorcerous attack formed and launched on a whim in the heat of battle. Our Craft can grant greater power and lead to grander victories and truths than any 'spontaneous' slinger of fire and ice could possibly comprehend." - Thedrion, Spellweave Architect and strategist Many wizards and other students of the "traditional" prepared way of arcane spellcasting have looked down upon the lesser breed of spontaneous arcane casters, especially those that, they feel, have done nothing - no studying, no hard work - to earn their place as masters of the Art. While simple self-assurances of their own superiority and the occassional jealous snubbing is enough for many, others have sought to prove once and for all that their ways are innately superior. The Spellweave Architect enhances the very methods of spell preparation itself to add both flexibility and increased arcane power to his spellcasting. The Spellweave Architects began as a collaboration between several wizards with the philosophy that prepared casting had not yet reached its zenith in the modern age. The restrictions and procedures taught by the various wizard academies were well and good for beginners, but surely there was more to be found by those with the talent and patience required. Those who inherited spontaneous arcane power were merely lucky, but true genius involves much more. The group members lived far from each other and met infrequently at first, but when theories became more defined and experiments more decisive, they came together into a small cabal and began taking select apprentices. The cabal called their new way of thinking the Craft. While not all Spellweave Architects hold to the philosophies of the original cabal or even feel that spontaneous arcane casting is in any way weaker than prepared arcane casting, they more often than not feel some need to prove something - if not to other casters, allies, or enemies, then to themselves. Spellweave Architect Hit Die: d4 Requirements Spells: Able to prepare and cast arcane spells of at least 3rd level using a spellbook or similar source of arcane instructions (hereafter referred to as a "spellbook"). Skills: Concentration 5 Ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 8 Ranks, Spellcraft 8 Ranks. Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge (Arcana)), Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spell Mastery, any metamagic feat Class Skills The spellweave architect's class skills are: Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Knowledge (all skills, taken individually), Profession, and Spellcraft. Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier. Spellweave Architect Mastered Lvl BaB Fort Refl Will Spells Special 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 +0 Arcane focus, Rapid preparation, Read and detect magic, Cantrip mastery 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 +1 Craftsman's precept 3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 +2 Refocus 2/day, Open slot 4th +2 +1 +1 +4 +3 Foundation, Craftsman's precept 5th +2 +1 +1 +4 +4 Refocus 3/day, Prepare on the move 6th +3 +2 +2 +5 +5 Refocus 4/day, Craftsman's precept 7th +3 +2 +2 +5 +6 Arcane Mnemonics, Loose thread 8th +4 +2 +2 +6 +7 Refocus 5/day, Craftsman's precept 9th +4 +3 +3 +6 +8 Refocus 6/day 10th +5 +3 +3 +7 +9 Craftsman's precept, Metamagic Spellweaver Lvl Spellcasting 1st - 2nd +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 3rd +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 4th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 5th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 6th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 7th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 8th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 9th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 10th +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class Class Features The following are class features of the Spellweave Architect prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Spellweave Architects gain no additional proficiencies in weapons or armor. Spellcasting: At each level after 1st, a spellweave architect gains news spells per day and spells known (such as the 2 new spells a wizard learns from gaining a level) as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which he belonged before adding the prestige class level. This class must be one that prepares spells from a spellbook and does not typically cast such spells spontaneously. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (such as the bonus feat sometimes gained by a wizard). If he had more than one such class before becoming a spellweave architect, he must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known. Arcane Focus (Ex): The spellweave architect learns how to focus his mind in a way that allows him to do things beyond the normal ability of other prepared spellcasters. Certain abilities of the spellweave architect require him to be in this state of arcane focus to carry out some action. Gaining arcane focus can be achieved in multiple ways. Firstly, any time the caster spends at least 15 minutes to prepare spells (the normal minimum time required for wizards), he gains his arcane focus. He may also gain his arcane focus by spending 5 minutes in meditation. This meditation cannot take place when the spellweave architect is threatened or distracted, such as during combat. The restrictions found in "Preparation Environment" under "Preparing Wizard Spells" in the Players Handbook (pg. 178) also apply. Arcane focus remains until it is expended (generally by using class features that specifically state as much), the caster becomes unconscious, or he goes to sleep. If the spellweave architect had his arcane focus just before becoming unconscious or falling asleep, when he becomes cognizant again he may make a DC 35 Concentration check as an immediate action to regain his arcane focus. If he was unconscious for less than 1 minute, the DC is reduced to 20. Rapid Preparation (Su): As is normal, when preparing spells for the day, casters such as Wizards may set aside empty spell slots which may later be used to prepare spells. (See "Spell Selection and Preparation" on pg. 178 of the Player's Handbook.) As long as he has his arcane focus, the spellweave architect is able to fill these unused open slots at a rapid pace. Only spells that have been mastered (as through Spell Mastery) may be prepared this way. To prepare a spell in this manner, the spellweave architect must spend a number of rounds in concentration. The time required is determined by the level of the architect and by the level of the spell, as given in the following table. Lvl Number of rounds required* 1st 1/2 2nd 1/1/2 3rd 1/1/2/3 4th 1/1/1/2/3 5th 1/1/1/1/2/3 6th 1/1/1/1/1/2 7th 1/1/1/1/1/1/3 8th 1/1/1/1/1/1/2/3 9th 1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/3 10th 1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/3 * Entries are divided by spell level. If no time is listed for a spell level, spells of that level may not be prepared through Rapid Preparation. For instance, an entry of "1/1/3" means it takes 1 full round to prepare 0-level and 1st level spells and 3 rounds to prepare 2nd level spells. Spells to which metamagic feats or other abilities that change a spell's effective level are considered to be of the adjusted spell level. Spells are normally prepared in relatively sedate conditions and without the pressure of passing time; the architect may use Rapid Preparation to do so when pressed for time, even in the midst of battle, but he must make a Concentration check at the beginning of each round (DC equals 12 + spell level) to do so. If he has the Combat Casting feat, he gains a +4 bonus to the check. If he fails this check or is interrupted during this time, he must start the preparation time over in order to prepare that spell, but the spell slot is still unused and open. The architect can decide at the beginning of each round to voluntarily lose his Dexterity bonus to AC and be considered flat-footed until his turn on the next round; in return, he gains a +5 circumstance bonus to the Concentration check for that round. Rapid Preparation does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the spellweave architect is not in combat and is not otherwise distracted, he may choose to triple the number of rounds indicated in the table above to prepare a spell automatically, without making Concentration checks. Otherwise, whenever he tries to prepare a spell using Rapid Preparation, no matter the circumstances, he is considered pressed for time and must make Concentration checks as mentioned. Anything that can adversely affect spellcasting will do the same or something similar to spell preparation. See the table in the description of the Concentration skill in the Player's Handbook for distractions that can cause one to make an additional Concentration check. For the purposes of this table and setting the DC, treat time preparing a spell as if it were time spent trying to cast a spell of the level being prepared. Metamagic feats may be applied to the spell, but the spell level is adjusted as indicated by the feat. The Combat Casting feat grants a +4 bonus to this check as if he was casting a spell. Failing such a check means preparation is interrupted. Others may identify the spell being prepared in the same way they might identify a spell being cast (generally through the Spellcraft skill). They may counterspell the preparer as if he were casting the spell he is preparing. A successful counterspell not only interrupts preparation of the spell but locks access to the spell slot it was meant to go in for a number of rounds equal to 10 - (class level/2 (rounded up)). A slot locked in this way cannot be used to prepare any spells. The spellweave architect may still prepare the same spell into a different slot if he has one that is appropriate. A newly prepared spell cannot be cast until the round after preparation is complete - even if it would be a swift, free, or immediate action - unless the architect uses an ability that specifically states otherwise (such as later class features). Read and detect magic (Sp): As long as the spellweave architect has his arcane focus, he may cast read magic and detect magic at will. Mastered Spells: The spellweave architect periodically chooses a number of additional spells which he knows to become mastered spells, according to the table. Spells mastered in this way are considered in all ways as though the feat Spell Mastery applied to them. Once a spell is selected as a mastered spell, the choice is permanent. Spells chosen must be from a spell list provided by a non-spontaneous arcane spellcasting class to which he has access. Cantrip Mastery (Ex): All 0-level spells that the spellweave architect knows derived from the class that he used to meet the spellcasting requirements of this prestige class are now mastered as if they were selected as Mastered Spells (without counting against the number he is allowed to select). All future 0-level spells that he comes to know from this spell list are also automatically mastered. Craftsman's Precept: Those that delve into the secrets of the Craft discover basic precepts that empower their control over magic. At 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th levels, the spellweave architect selects a precept from the list below. He must meet all prerequisites listed for a precept to select it. (Precepts are chosen after all other class features, feats, and skill points are assigned, so the architect may choose one for which he only qualified for beginning at the level he chooses a precept.) Clear the Mind (Su): Prerequisites: Skills: Concentration 9 Ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 12 Ranks. Open Slot class feature. As a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the spellweave architect may, if he has his arcane focus, take a moment to clear his mind of unwanted spells. He may choose a number of spells whose combined spell levels equal no more than his class level multiplied by his Intelligence modifier. These spells' slots are opened as though he had used the Open Slot ability. The architect may do this as many times per day as he likes. Expedient Mnemonics (Su): Prerequisites: Skills: Spellcraft 16 Ranks. Arcane Mnemonics class feature. Any spell with a casting time of "immediate" (such as feather fall) that is stored in a mnemonic slot may be swapped to a normal slot and then cast as an immediate action. He need not have his arcane focus at the time, but if he does not, taking advantage of this ability costs a daily use of Refocus and does not actually give him this focus for later use. Greater Foundation (Su): Prerequisites: Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 14 Ranks, Spellcraft 14 Ranks. Foundation class feature. Improved Foundation precept. Whenever a spell (spontaneous or otherwise) is used to counterspell a spell that the architect prepared beforehand or is currently preparing through Rapid Preparation and a caster level check is triggered (generally always due to Improved Foundation), the spellweave architect may choose to immediately expend his arcane focus, if he currently has it, to increase the caster level DC to successfully counterspell by 20 if the other spell is spontaneously cast, or by 10 otherwise. This stacks with other DC increases from Foundation and Improved Foundation. Choosing this precept also gives one additional use of Refocus per day. Improved Foundation (Su): Prerequisites: Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 12 Ranks, Spellcraft 12 Ranks. Foundation class feature. The DC increases from the Foundation class feature are raised from 4 and 2 to 6 and 4, respectively. In addition, whenever a spell (spontaneous or otherwise) is used to counterspell a spell that the architect prepared beforehand or is currently preparing through Rapid Preparation, a caster level check is triggered even if the counterspell would normally automatically succeed. However, in this situation the DC increases from Foundation do not apply, and if the spell used to counterspell was not spontaneously cast, the DC is lowered by 2. Intense Focus (Su): Prerequisites: Skills: Concentration 7 Ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 10 Ranks. The spellweave architect may as an immediate action expend his arcane focus in response to his failing any Concentration check made to prevent interruption of the Rapid Preparation ability. Doing so gives him a +20 circumstance bonus to this check (the failed check is re-evaluated with this in mind) and the bonus applies to further Concentration checks made until the spell is prepared or fails to be prepared. The architect is treated as though his arcane focus has not been expended until preparation of the spell is complete or actually fails except that he cannot use any other ability that requires him to expend it during this time. (He may use Refocus after preparation is complete, e.g. in order to use Sage's Alacrity if he has that precept, but he cannot use Rushed Preparation as that precept requires expending the focus during preparation.) Metamagic Feat: Prerequisites: Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 10 Ranks, Spellcraft 10 Ranks. The architect chooses one metamagic feat for which he qualifies and gains it as a bonus feat. Like all precepts, this may only be chosen once. Mnemonic Reserve: Prerequisites: Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 16 Ranks. Arcane Mnemonics class feature. The architect chooses one Reserve feat for which he qualifies and gains it as a bonus feat. In addition, any spell that is memorized in a mnemonic slot counts as being memorized in a normal spell slot of the same level for the purpose of determining the effect of all Reserve feats he has. Mnemonic Trigger (Sp): Prerequisites: Skills: Spellcraft 18 Ranks. Arcane Mnemonics class feature. Expedient Mnemonics precept. Must have mastered the spell contingency. Once per day, as an action taking 10 minutes of spellcasting, the spellweave architect may put into effect a spell-like ability similar to the contingency spell. He chooses a single spell which currently resides in a mnemonic slot and specifies conditions which will cause that spell to be triggered. The spell selected must have a casting time of 1 standard action or less, be one that affects the architect himself, and be of a spell level no higher than one-third his caster level (rounded down, maximum 6th level). If the triggered spell has not been mastered, the architect must have access to a spellbook which contains the spell throughout the 10 minute casting time of this ability. The selected mnemonic slot's spell is not "locked" in any fashion, but if it is swapped to another slot or otherwise no longer occupies the mnemonic slot, the mnemonic trigger is dispelled. When the conditions are met, the spell is automatically and instantaneously "cast" upon the spellweave architect. If the spell has any material components, they must be on his person when the spell is triggered or it will fail. If complicated or convoluted conditions are prescribed, the whole spell combination (mnemonic trigger and the companion magic) may fail when called on. The companion spell occurs based solely on the stated conditions, regardless of whether you want it to. The duration of this ability is 1 day per class level or until discharged. It may be ended early at the caster's discretion. He can only benefit from one mnemonic trigger at a time; if a second is cast, the first one (if still active) is dispelled. Rushed Preparation (Su): Prerequisites: Skill: Knowledge (Arcana) 10 Ranks, Spellcraft 10 Ranks. The architect may rush the preparation of a spell being prepared through Rapid Preparation even further. If a spell takes longer than 1 round to prepare, he may on the second to last round of preparation, after all Concentration checks are resolved, expend his arcane focus to forego the next round of preparation entirely. At that moment, the spell is considered fully prepared and may be cast on the next round. Sage's Alacrity (Su): Prerequisites: Skill: Knowledge (Arcana) 14 Ranks, Spellcraft 14 Ranks. Rushed Preparation precept and any other precept. The spellweave architect may cast any spell which he has prepared using Rapid Preparation on the same round that preparation is complete by expending his arcane focus immediately following successful preparation. This ability may only be used with spells that normally have a casting time of 1 standard action or less. If he used the Rushed Preparation precept to shorten preparation time, he may use the Refocus ability (assuming he has daily uses left and is able to use a swift action that round) to regain his focus and then immediately expend it again to cast the spell, but doing so prevents him from using Refocus again for 1d4 rounds. He must declare he is using this ability before spell preparation begins. When the Spellcraft skill or similar means are successfully used to determine what spell is being prepared, it is revealed that he is casting - not simply preparing - the spell. Spell Mastery (Ex): Prerequisites: Skill: Spellcraft 10 Ranks. The architect gains Spell Mastery as a bonus feat. (Like all precepts, this may only be chosen once, despite the feat's ability to be chosen multiple times.) Unravel (Sp): Prerequisites: Skill: Spellcraft 16 Ranks. Loose Thread class feature. The spellweave architect has learned how to find "loose strings" in his opponents' spells and use them to pull their inferior spellweaving apart. When the architect successfully counterspells an opponent, he may expend his arcane focus to unleash the arcane energy of the spell on the caster. The caster takes 1d6+1 points of damage per effective spell level of the spell that was countered. No save is allowed, but Spell Resistance does apply: Use the caster's own caster level or the architect's caster level, whichever is higher, to determine whether SR is bypassed. Immunity to specific spells does not apply because the damage is a result of unleashed arcane energy, not a specific spell. Spells and effects that absorb (or otherwise deal with) a number of spell levels absorb (or deal with) the backfired spell as if it were simply a spell of that level cast upon the caster. Spells and effects like spell turning fail because essentially the unraveled spell originates from the caster, not the architect. Choosing this precept also gives one additional use of Refocus per day. Refocus (Su): Starting at 3rd level, the spellweave architect may reobtain his arcane focus as a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity 2/day. He may do this 3/day at 5th level, 4/day at 6th level, 5/day at 8th level, and 6/day at 9th level. Refocus may be used before or after spell preparation and other full-round or multi-round actions, but not during them. (If preparation takes 2 rounds, he may use it before preparation starts on the first round or after preparation ends on the second round, but not in between.) Open Slot (Su): At 3rd level, the spellweave architect may "unprepare" previously prepared spells, leaving an open unused slot which he may use to prepare a different spell in its place. Doing this is a swift action that takes a single use of his daily allotment of the Refocus ability. (Using Open Slot just before (on the same round) as Rapid Preparation is admissible.) Foundation (Su): The 4th level spellweave architect's spells are more firm in structure than those of a spontaneous caster. Whenever a spontaneously cast spell is used in an attempt to counterspell a spell that the architect prepared earlier or is currently preparing through the Rapid Preparation class feature, the DC to successfully counterspell is increased by 4. (This applies whenever a caster level check occurs, such as when dispel magic is used to counterspell, but does not force a check when one isn't otherwise called for.) In addition, the caster level check DC to dispel (end the duration) or suppress the architect's spells through the use of a spontaneously cast dispel magic or any other spontaneously cast spell that involves a caster level check is increased by 2 if the opposing (architect's) spell was not spontaneously cast. (Spells cast through items such as scrolls do not benefit from this higher DC unless the item was both crafted and used by a spellweave architect.) Prepare on the Move: At 5th level, the spellweave architect may use his Rapid Preparation ability and move at the same time. He may move up to his base movement speed, but doing so gives him a -5 penalty to all Concentration checks made that round. This movement provokes attacks of opportunity from anyone that would be able to take one as if he were simply walking the chosen path. He takes a -15 penalty on all Tumble checks made while using this ability, as well as a -10 penalty to Balance and Jump checks. The architect may instead take a 5-foot-step each round at no penalty to the Concentration check or other skill checks. Arcane Mnemonics (Su): A 7th level spellweave architect has unlocked some of the potential of his mind to allow him to memorize more spells per day. In addition to normal spell slots, the architect gains a number of "mnemonic slots" which he may use to memorize (prepare) additional spells. These spells need not be mastered through Spell Mastery or similar methods. The architect memorizes these spells as part of the normal hour-long preparation time required of most casters, which must occur after 8 hours of rest. He cannot use Rapid Preparation to place a spell into a mnemonic slot. To determine the number of mnemonic slots of each spell level that a character has, first find the number of normal spell slots of each spell level which he would have received if he were effectively 3 levels lower in the class that gives him spellcasting abilities. Do not include bonus spells granted from high ability scores, feats, school specialization, or the like. For example, a 6th-level Wizard 7th-level Spellweave Architect would check the spells offered to a 9th-level Wizard. (6 + 7 = 13. Subtract 1 because spellcasting doesn't progress at 1st level of this prestige class, then another 3 as per Arcane Mnemonics rules.) Next, divide the number from each spell level by 2, rounding down. In the previous example, the character would have 2 mnemonic slots each for cantrips (0-level), 1st, and 2nd spell levels, as well as 1 mnemonic slot each for 3rd and 4th level spells. (He would not gain a 5th level mnemonic slot because 1/2 rounded down is 0.) Spells memorized in mnemonic slots are not as accessible as those in normal spell slots: In order to cast such a spell, it must first be placed into a normal spell slot. To do so, the architect may swap the spells held by a normal spell slot and a mnemonic slot. (For example, if a fireball was prepared in a 3rd-level spell slot and a lightning bolt was memorized into a 3rd-level mnemonic slot, the two may be swapped, putting the fireball in the mnemonic slot and the lightning bolt in the other's slot.) Both slots must be of the same spell level, though the actual spell levels may differ (due to the use of metamagic or the fact that, e.g., a 3rd-level spell may be placed in a 4th-level spell slot if desired). An empty mnemonic slot cannot swap places with another slot, nor can a spell slot that is "empty" because its spell has already been cast be part of a swap, but a filled mnemonic slot can swap places with an unused open slot (resulting in an empty mnemonic slot and a filled normal slot). Swapping slots like this is a free action that may be used once per round as long as the architect has his arcane focus. Every time a spell is placed into a mnemonic slot through a swap, roll a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). The DC is 20 + spell level. If the check fails, then the mnemonic slot where the spell is placed becomes locked until the caster has rested for 8 hours. A locked mnemonic slot may still be used by the mnemonic reserve precept, but cannot be part of another swap. (As a general rule, mnemonic slots do not count as normal, non-mnemonic spell slots. Assume references to spell slots, in this class description or elsewhere, do not include mnemonic slots unless stated otherwise.) Loose Thread (Su): The 7th-level spellweave architect is able to detect and exploit the weaknesses inherent in others' spells. When making a caster level check to determine whether he successfully counterspells an opponent, dispels another's spell, or suppresses a spell, spell-like ability, or magical property of an item, the architect gains a +2 competence bonus to the check. If the opponent's spell is being or was spontaneously cast, this bonus is increased to +4. In addition, if the architect has the Improved Counterspell feat, when countering a spontaneously-cast spell, he may use a spell of the same school that is of equal spell level (instead of one or more levels higher) to counter it. Metamagic Spellweaver (Su): At 10th level, the spellweave architect has mastered the use of the weave in such a way that he can devote spell slots to empower other slots with metamagic abilities. During normal spell preparation time, usually at the beginning of the day, after 8 hours of rest (Rapid Preparation cannot be used in this manner), the architect may choose a spell slot to which he may "attach" a metamagic feat that he knows. Any spell which occupies this slot (whether through normal preparation, Rapid Preparation, an Arcane Mnemonics swap, etc.) has that metamagic feat applied to it when cast, eliminating the need for a higher level spell slot to be used. A metamagic feat cannot be attached to a slot if it's spell level plus the normal adjustment from the feat (i.e. +1 from Silent Spell) equals a number higher than the highest level spell slot he currently has from the class that gave him the slot. The same metamagic feat may be chosen multiple times, but any given spell slot can only have one such attachment made. This attachment is made to the spell slot itself, not to the spell prepared there (though whatever spell happens to be there at the time will appear to be enhanced by the attached metamagic if some manner of detecting the fact is used). The slot may even be left empty if desired, or opened through Open Slot, allowing a different spell to take its place through Rapid Preparation and thus take advantage of the metamagic feat. Likewise, one could use a Arcane Mnemonics swap to take advantage of the metamagic. In order to attach a metamagic feat in this way, another spell slot, or multiple slots, must be locked out: Nothing can be prepared in such a slot for 24 hours. The locked slots' combined spell levels must be equal to or greater than the level adjustment the metamagic feat normally imposes. For example, attaching Empower Spell (+2 adjustment) to a slot would require either a 2nd level slot or two 1st level slots to be locked. (Locking a 0-level spell would provide no benefit.) The architect may also lock a higher level spell slot and divide its uses into multiple portions. For example, he may lock a 3rd level slot and apply Silent Spell to one spell slot and Empower Spell to another. He may even lock three 3rd level slots (9 spell levels) to attach Quicken Spell (+4) to two slots and Silent Spell (+1) to another. The architect may attach metamagic feats to as many spell slots as desired so long as the combined spell level of the spell slots locked in this manner does not exceed his Intelligence modifier added to his Wisdom modifier.
Tuhljin 02-15-07, 10:37 PM	For your added convenience, here's a reference guide for when you can first acquire each Craftsman's Precept. Level you can first qualify for it --------------------------------- Precept Precept that is in a chain [ prev -> X -> next ] 2 --- Intense Focus Metamagic Feat Rushed Preparation [ X -> Sage's Alacrity ] Spell Mastery 4 --- Clear the Mind Improved Foundation [ X -> Greater Foundation ] 6 --- Greater Foundation [ Improved Foundation -> X ] Sage's Alacrity [ Rushed Preparation -> X ] 8 --- Expedient Mnemonics [ X -> Mnemonic Trigger ] Mnemonic Reserve Unravel 10 --- Mnemonic Trigger [ Expedient Mnemonics -> X ]
Tuhljin 02-19-07, 07:15 PM	I know it's a lot to read, but aren't there any comments? Surely there's something I missed, and since there's been no significant playtesting, it's undoubtedly unbalanced..
Tuhljin 03-08-07, 09:12 PM	Oh wise Wizards Community, what is thy judgement?
Molot 03-09-07, 06:47 AM	Whole advantage of being Sorcerer over being a Wizard is in-day flexibility and more spell slots. He pays for it not having bonus feat, having limited number of spells known and getting access to new spell levels one level after wizzie. Your PrC makes Wzzies to pay only one of those prices (later access), gives them more spell slots than they have (and possibly more than Sor can have at ihger levels), and increase their in-day flexibility dramatically. Qiocken Supernatural Ability feat (Tome of Magic, was that?) + Rapid Preparation + left all slots open = spontaneous caster with unlimited number of spells known. Now imagine Sorcerers, learning unlimited number of spells from scrolls in your game. Would that be balanced? If not, then your PrC is not either.
Tuhljin 03-09-07, 06:10 PM	Well, first of all, thanks for the reply. I am trying to balance the class, so don't take any of this as being "defensive," but I do wonder if you realize the full downsides to Rapid Preparation. It's a full-round action and often a multi-round action (though you are allowed to move around while preparing at one point). Worse, this is only preparation - you aren't casting the spell, so if you intend on casting it right away, you essentially add another round (or whatever the spell's original casting time is) to the "effective casting time" of the spell. I'm going to lay out a few things not only for your benefit but also to help others see how the class works in perhaps a more clear manner. For example, at 1st level it would take you 2 rounds just to prepare a 1st level spell, then you could cast it on the 3rd round. (Even if you prepare a Quickened spell or other spell with a swift or immediate casting time, you are not allowed to cast it until the following round, Rapid Prep specifically states.) Frankly, that seems useless in a battle - though it's nice when you've got a lot of empty slots and are about to fight something and you have some prep time (but not enough to allow for normal preparation) : It lets you customize the spell list to the encounter you're about to have, but doesn't let you really effectively fight spontaneously during the encounter. Later, you can take the "precept" of Rushed Preparation, which lets you cut off the final round of prep if there IS more than 1 round of it. For example, you could take it at 2nd level. At that level, prep time for 1st level spells is 1 round, so Rushed Prep cannot apply. Prep time for 2nd level spells is 2 rounds, so you could reduce prep time for those spells to 1 round - though doing so makes it so you can't use Rapid Preparation (or do several other things, depending on the precepts you've chosen) until you get your Arcane Focus back, something that takes considerable time OR the use of Refocus, which can only be done a limited number of times per day (you don't even get any uses of it until 3rd level). Still later, you can choose the precept Sage's Alacrity. This would let you actually cast the spell on the round you finish prep time. At 10th level, prep time for spells of 7th level and lower is one round (and maybe balance comes into play here and it should be 6th and lower or some such), meaning you can expend your arcane focus (essentially begging you to use a daily use of Refocus - you normally have 6/day (which may be too many) - unless the battle's about over) to cast one in one round. Now, to some specific concerns. As for the PrC giving "them more spell slots than they have," I assume you're referring to Arcane Mnemonics? These slots aren't "real" spell slots - you can't cast out of them without swapping things around in a way that ends up using up your normal spell slots - they're really more about flexibility than an additional number of spells you can cast per day. Qiocken Supernatural Ability feat (Tome of Magic, was that?) + Rapid Preparation + left all slots open = spontaneous caster with unlimited number of spells known. I didn't see Quicken Supernatural Ability just now when I went looking for it, though I may have overlooked it, but in any case, don't Quicken feats have a restriction on what they can apply to based on casting time? I don't think you could apply it to Rapid Preparation. As for "unlimited number of spells known" ... Now imagine Sorcerers, learning unlimited number of spells from scrolls in your game. Would that be balanced? If not, then your PrC is not either. Now, see, this makes you think you didn't really read the class features carefully.. You can only use Rapid Preparation to prepare spells you've Mastered. All this isn't to say I'm not open to balance discussion. I just don't see this class as "spontaneous" enough to threaten the role of the sorcerer - or at least it wouldn't be if balanced well: maybe I should tone down the # of uses of Refocus per day, for example. In fact, at one point I was worried it's a bit underpowered: Originally, it lost multiple caster levels and its abilities seemed too situational. Multi-round actions aren't something you can do very often in combat, and they're definitely not very time-effective when you're just getting off a normal spell that usually takes less time to cast.
Tuhljin 03-29-07, 03:06 AM	In many ways this PrC was an unconventional experiment with how things could be done. I had an idea and I wanted it "off my shoulders," so to speak. Are there no other comments as to what could be done to balance it? And please, understand how it works and explain exactly what's wrong with it instead of making blanket statements about it being "overpowered." (I hope my previous post put a few misunderstandings to rest without causing ill feelings.)
JoshuaZ 09-09-07, 04:26 PM	It looks balanced to me, although the Arcane Focus thing is a bit odd. Was that based off of psionic focus at all? The only serious concern is that if you take this at say 11th level and take as two precepts Spell Mastery and Metamagic then you are almost objectively better than the straight wizard (not quite because you lose a spellcasting level which is obviously a big loss). I'm also slightly concerned that there may be some clever way to break this when combined with the Ultimate Magus but I haven't hit on how to do it just yet. One thing to note is that this class makes int even more important to the wizard because Spell Mastery becomes much more important since normally it is either just in case your spellbook goes missing or is used as a prereq for an epic feat.
Tuhljin 09-09-07, 07:40 PM	Thanks for the unexpected reply! Arcane focus wasn't modeled after psionic focus exactly at first, but when I saw that my idea was similar to how psionic focus did things, I decided to use similar concepts and terminology. As for this being better than the straight wizard, I think the PrC's prerequisites, specifically all the feat requirements, make it hurt pretty badly to just splash 4 levels to grab a couple feats they could have gotten earlier anyway.