How do Factotums gain spells?

[a-d]

Someplace said that any spell they see, they can cast so long as it's of Wizard/Sorcerer spell list, of level 7 or lower, and doesn't have an xp requirement.
Also, that they don't need a spellbook.
But aside from them not needing a spellbook the book describing their class doesn't appear to mention how they gain spells.
(D&D book, "Dungeonscape.")

But if true, does that mean that a Wizard level 19 with one level of Factotum who had lost all access to spells through some catastrophe could make a new spellbook on their own so long as the spells placed inside it fit the Factotum's requirements?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

A Factotum doesn't even need to have seen the spell, or make a spellcraft check. They just choose the ones that would be useful and get them. And they're technically spell-like, not spells.

A Wiz 19 / Factotum 1 could replenish his cantrips, but that's it, since 0 level spells are all a 1st level Factotum could use.

 

[a-d]

So you do have to be able to cast a spell to put it in a spellbook? Just like a scroll?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

A Factotum does not need a spellbook. He knows all spells as spell-like abilities, but still needs to prepare them as a Wizard would, except from memory, not from a spellbook, as per RAW.

I personally have played that my Factotum character requires a spellbook and acquires and prepares spells as a Wizard does because it made more sense to my DM.

 

[Samloyal23]

A Factotum does not need a spellbook. He knows all spells as spell-like abilities, but still needs to prepare them as a Wizard would, except from memory, not from a spellbook, as per RAW.

I personally have played that my Factotum character requires a spellbook and acquires and prepares spells as a Wizard does because it made more sense to my DM.

Aren't a factotum's spellls based on belief? Why not just meditate for them like a Paladin or Cleric?

 

[Jackinthegreen]

Aren't a factotum's spellls based on belief? Why not just meditate for them like a Paladin or Cleric?

Factotum spells are based on "I know I can get X effect by doing Y." It's not belief, it's really just mimicking a wizard or sorcerer casting a spell.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Aren't a factotum's spellls based on belief? Why not just meditate for them like a Paladin or Cleric?

Most of the Factotum's class abilities run off of Inspiration Points. The premise is that the Factotum is so smart, he or she just intuitively understands things. the Factotum just sorta "gets" arcane magic, kinda like the kind is school who's so smart, he doesn't need to study, he can just do well in tests, while the Wizard is the kid who's smart because he studies hard.

 

[the Jester]

Yeah, a factotum is actually kinda faking it when he casts spells.

I would rule that no, he can't use his factotum abilities to write spells into his book.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Yeah, a factotum is actually kinda faking it when he casts spells.

I would rule that no, he can't use his factotum abilities to write spells into his book.

I'd rule that if a Factotum did write into a spellbook, his notes would be a version of shorthand that other Wizards wouldn't be able to easily follow or understand. All wizards would follow the same formula, like the way a math teacher sees that all the kids memorize the same mathematical formula. The Factotum is the guy who invents his own shortcut to get the same answer without going through the same steps.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I'd allow it.

Again, Factotum gets a very slow spell level advancement. Dipping it does nothing other than destroy your wizard's CL. What's the fear here? Cohort (cause Leadership is totally not broken anyway)? Two PCs *gasp* working together well? I don't get it.