need help with ideas on a prestige class

[LightPhoenix]

What would you think of this class getting a "Floating" Spell Focus ability that effected all arcane schools if the spell was only a Ray Spell?

I think it's an idea that needs to be considered carefully.

Firstly, if you allow Spell Focus (Rays) as a feat, you have to be ready to allow spell focus with any type of spell - cones, area effect, touch, personal, et cetera. This isn't as much an issue if it's a class ability.

Secondly, you have to consider if this will stack with Spell Focus for the various schools. If so, this may be a bit powerful.

I don't think it's a bad idea, but it could have consequences that are unseen. Disintegrate with a +4 DC could be nasty.

LightPhoenix

 

[Terraism]

Take a look at this - a nice Metamagic feat that I feel helps offset the few numbers of Ray-type spells out there...

Ray Spell
You have learned the art of extending the distance of touch spells.
Prerequisites: Enlarge Spell
Benefits: You may turn any spell with the Touch quality into a Ray Effect type spell. A Rayed Spell uses up a spell slot 1 higher than it's actual level.

I'm not sure yet whether I should include Enlarge Spell as a Prereq. It makes some measure of sense, but... also, I think it might be too powerful at +1 level - I might need to change it to +2. (Imagine a ranged Harm for the cost of one spell level!) Anyway...

 

[graydoom]

I like the idea of spell focus granted for all ray spells. It shouldn't stack with other spell focus, though. And this would be a class ability, not a general feat.

For bonus ray spells... it would work perfectly to do this just like bonus spells for specialization. A Ray Wizard could get 1 extra slot each level that has to be filled by a Ray spell, and a Ray Sorcerer could get 1 extra spell known each level that has to be a Ray spell, and/or 1 extra spell per day that has to be a Ray spell.

Also, IMO, the ability to change touch spells into ray spells should not be a metamagic feat. That would get too out of hand. It should be a class ability, and should take +2 spell levels (I think that would be balanced).

 

[Arcanus]

Okay I like the idea of the floating spell focus AS a CLASS ABILITY.

I also like the idea of gaining the CLASS ABILITY to turn touch melee attacks into Ray Attacks. this class ability only should work with Ray Spells from any Arcane/Bard/Sorcerer spell lists.

At a certain level the Arcane Ray Master gains the ability to cast RAY SPELLS from another spell list other than his own. These spells can be Divine in nature but are cast as arcane spells. Furthermore the only spells that a Arcane Ray Master can select are spells that already are in RAY form, not melee touch spells.

When using the ability to turn touch spells into Ray spells the Ray Master casts the spell as a FULL ROUND ACTION.

The Floating Spell Focus Ability only applies to ORIGINAL ARCANE SPELLS not Divine Ray Spells. This focus gives a +1 to the Save DC to any Arcane spell of 4th level or lower. This Floating Focus is Stackable with Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus. However if it will not stack with a Specialist Mage's DC from School Specialization.

At a level yet to be determined the Ray Master gets to cast the Ray of Frost or Ray of Fire (this is just a fire version of RayFrost) at will.
Also the cantrip now does 1d4 instead of 1d3 damage.

When the Ray Master casts a ray spell with the Split Ray Feat he rolls damage for 75% of the original total instead of 50% damage done to each opponent.

I think feats that the Ray master needs for requirements are Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus Ray, Spell Casting Prodigy, and Spell Specialization Ray spells.
knowledge arcana 7 Ranks, spelcraft 7 ranks, Concentration 7 ranks.

At 1st level he gets the Split Ray Feat for Free.
at 3rd, 6th, 9th level he gets a metamagic feat or any feat that would benefit the casting of spells etc.... Combat Casting, extra spell, extra slot, etc...


Still need some help on this and with his spell progression I am thinking +1 spell casting class and a bonus ray spell every so many levels.

 

[Arcanus]

now we need to define Ray Spells.

Do we include any spell that say focused beam, beam, bolt, blast?
Like lightning bolt for instance?
By bolt I do not mean force type or projectile type spells some spell descriptions kinda sound like rays but they are called somethink different.

I think the Ray Master also needs a Greater Weapon Focus Ray bonus also. Lets say an additional +1 to hit with them at 1st level that stacks with weapon focus rays.

 

[Terraism]

now we need to define Ray Spells.

Do we include any spell that say focused beam, beam, bolt, blast?
Like lightning bolt for instance?
By bolt I do not mean force type or projectile type spells some spell descriptions kinda sound like rays but they are called somethink different.

Actually, Ray spells are already defined. Under "Range" in the spell descriptor, under the spells I listed is the heading "Effect:", followed by "Ray." Anything with that heading is a Ray spell. It even says so somewhere... so it must be true! That's them though. Now, for the purposes of the class you may wish to make it broader, but... that's the 'technical' definition.

 

[Arcanus]

Okay looks like I missed the boat again on that one. Didn't know there was an official wording for rays.

Haven't been able to concentrate on making the class lately, I have been trying to buy a house. Or I should say get a loan to see what will be in my price range. Lots of paperwork, fees upon fees upon fees and tons of hidden crap nobody seems to warn you about beforehand.