Archmage spell-like ability

[GorTeX]

If an Archmage takes 'spell-like ability' as one of his High Arcana, how does the spell work?

1) Caster Level: Does it remain at the level the AM choose the High Arcana, or does it go up as the AM levels?

2) DC: 10+SL+Int Mod or 10+SL+Cha Mod (from the description of spell like ability)

3) Does skill focus work on the spell-like ability

4) Assuming the AM has 'Mastery of Elements', can he change the energy descriptor of his SLA?

5) Will spell penetration work on the SLA cast?

specific example:
Takes Mastery of Elements at 18th level (1st AM level) (losing a 8th level spell)
Takes SLA at 19th level, giving up a 5th & a 9th level spell to get 'Sphere of Ulitmate Destruction' 2xday as a SLA.
Has Spell Focus (evocation) and Spell penetration
Int 22 currently.

DC of Spere of Ultimate Destruction cast from 9th level spell slot is 26, it's a 1d20+19+2 for the CL check to beat any SR, does 38d6 damage (5d6 on a successful save), and lasts for 18 rounds.

Would those numbers be the same for the SoUD cast as a SLA? or would it be DC 18 (cha 8), 1d20+18 for beating SR, 38d6/5d6 lasting for 19 rounds.

What about at 20th level? Would it do 38d6/5d6 or 40d6/5d6? Last for 19 or 20 rounds? CL check for SR still at 1d20+19 or does it go up to 1d20+20 (with or without Spell penetration?)

 

[hong]

1) No mention is made of a separate caster level for the SLA, so it would just be the archmage's normal caster level.

2) Looks like Cha mod.

3) Skill Focus? I assume you mean Spell Focus; no, it won't work because the feat description only mentions spells.

4) No, because it only mentions spells, not SLAs.

5) Yes, because Spell Penetration is a bonus to any roll made to overcome SR. No restriction to spells only.

 

[GorTeX]

The one I'm most confused about is #2.
It doesn't say in the Archmage description of their SLA
In the general rules for SLA's it mentions the CHA mod for monsters.

Yep, meant spell focus. Note that the Archmage desrciption says (at least in the SRD) that "An archmage who selects this type of high arcana can use one of her arcane spell slots (other than a slot expended to learn this or any other type of high arcana) to permanently prepare one of her arcane spells as a spell-like ability that can be used twice per day. "

 

[hong]

The one I'm most confused about is #2.
It doesn't say in the Archmage description of their SLA
In the general rules for SLA's it mentions the CHA mod for monsters.

Yep, meant spell focus. Note that the Archmage desrciption says (at least in the SRD) that "An archmage who selects this type of high arcana can use one of her arcane spell slots (other than a slot expended to learn this or any other type of high arcana) to permanently prepare one of her arcane spells as a spell-like ability that can be used twice per day. "

I prefer to bold "An archmage who selects this type of high arcana can use one of her arcane spell slots (other than a slot expended to learn this or any other type of high arcana) to permanently prepare one of her arcane spells as a spell-like ability that can be used twice per day."

I don't think you get to choose at your own discretion whether to treat it as either a spell or SLA.

 

[Khelvan]

Another Question

Mastery of Shaping: The archmage can alter area and effect spells that use one of the following shapes: burst, cone, cylinder, emanation, or spread. The alteration consists of creating spaces within the spell’s area or effect that are not subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these spaces is a 5-foot cube. Furthermore, any shapeable spells have a minimum dimension of 5 feet instead of 10 feet. This ability costs one 6th-level spell slot.

Can someone explain me how this works?
Can one use it on Fireballs too?

I am not sure how it really works and one of my players will take it for next Session this weekend.

Thanks Khelvan.

 

[GorTeX]

I prefer to bold "An archmage who selects this type of high arcana can use one of her arcane spell slots (other than a slot expended to learn this or any other type of high arcana) to permanently prepare one of her arcane spells as a spell-like ability that can be used twice per day."

I don't think you get to choose at your own discretion whether to treat it as either a spell or SLA.

True. Just seems really, really odd that a Wizard based Archmage would use a SLA based on CHA instead of INT. Only in the MM does it specify the Save DC for SLA's. Niether the PHB or DMG mentions that in their description of SLA's. (I don't think I used enough acronyms ). Of course, I'm probably very influenced by the fact that my Current PC has an INT of 22 and a CHA of 8.

Mastery of Shaping: ......

Can someone explain me how this works?
Can one use it on Fireballs too?

I am not sure how it really works and one of my players will take it for next Session this weekend.

I've interpeted it as allowing you to put 5x5 'holes' in the area of an area effect spell, allowing you to not effect certain squares (usually allies--but could be an object you don't want to damage).

 

[moritheil]

Very interesting. Conventional wisdom holds that Archmage is better for Wizards than Sorcerers due to the need to be able to cast all sorts of spells in order to enter the class. The RAW Sp interpretation makes it not particularly good for wizards either. (Though admittedly, they might be more interested in something other than giving up spell slots to be forced to cast the same spell every day.)

 

[GorTeX]

I don't know.giving up a 5th and a 9th level spell to be able to cast 2 9th level spells (all though they are the same one) seems like a good trade off to me......and you still have other 9th level spells to use normally.

My original thought was to have 2 Meteor Swarms as SLA--still could work as there is no save if I hit them with the concusion part the DC18 reflex for others in the 40' radius is a bit low tho.
Now, I'm thinking of either Foresight 2xday or Time Stop 2xday, leaving my other 3 9th level spells open for other things.

 

[moritheil]

I don't know.giving up a 5th and a 9th level spell to be able to cast 2 9th level spells (all though they are the same one) seems like a good trade off to me......and you still have other 9th level spells to use normally.

My original thought was to have 2 Meteor Swarms as SLA--still could work as there is no save if I hit them with the concusion part the DC18 reflex for others in the 40' radius is a bit low tho.
Now, I'm thinking of either Foresight 2xday or Time Stop 2xday, leaving my other 3 9th level spells open for other things.

Well, I suppose that those spells are always useful. Shapechange is also pretty helpful, since the spell itself can be put to a variety of uses.

Overall I just think archmage is a little weak, especially since if PGF is allowed Innate Spell can get you more SLAs for less cost (it takes a feat and two other feats you should have anyway.)

 

[Argontel]

Its just common sense not zealous interpretation of words

An archmage spell-like ability's DC is determined by the key ability score tied to HIS spell casting abilities

"An archmage who selects this type of high arcana can use one of her arcane spell slots (other than a slot expended to learn this or any other type of high arcana) to permanently prepare one of her arcane spells as a spell-like ability that can be used twice per day. "

it seems quite obvious to me that wizards cast spell trough their intellect and if the spell is permanently prepared as a spell like ability it works in all ways like a spell cast by a wizard including its potency (DC) and interaction with spell casting related feat that affect the efficiency, not meta-magic feats of such spells including (spell focus, greater spell focus, augment summoning) but interacts with magic like a spell-like ability would (silent, still, no material components, no focus and cannot be used to counterspell or be counterspelled except by dispel magic or greater dispel magic since theses spells act towards the magic used and not the spellcasting process) if you want to check out an example published by wizards of the coast that confirm my statement go to wizards . com and add /default.asp?x=dnd/prc/20070130 the DC's are clearly not linked to the poor 12 CHA score of the archmage in the example but rather by his INT score whose modifier is +10 and therefore make his 9th level evocation spells and spell likes at DC 31 since the dc is calculated in this way 10+spell level+relevant ability modifier+focus feats.Just look at his meteor swarm spell-like ability if you do not believe me.

I present my sincerest apologies to the moderators for bypassing my rights of posting by modifying a link but i assure you that it was necessary in this case.