Extra Spell Feat = Extra Confusing [2006 Thread]

[TessarrianDM]

While I can find no reference to wizards and sorcerers only being able to learn spells from the wizard/sorcerer list, I did find a reference in the DMG (pg. 35) under "Creating New Spells" that "Wizards and sorcerers should not cast healing spells...". It is (to me) more of a flavor issue. I would not allow a wizard in my campaign to even research a healing spell, for I believe they should be exclusive to divine casters (and no, I do not like the idea of bards having access to them as arcane versions). As far as I am concerned, bards have a customized spell list that gives them access to both arcane and divine spells which they then learn, memorize, and cast following the rules for an arcane spellcaster.

The DMG has a discussion of variant spell lists (pg. 175) that could allow a customized spell access list to a character, similar to how the Bard's list was created.

I would not allow a cleric to research and learn a wizard spell, ranger spell, or paladin spell either. I do not like the concept of unrestricted access by any spellcasting class to any spell. It changes the flavor of the game too much for me.

However, if it is your campaign, feel free to allow any variant rules you choose. That is the beauty of the system-it is highly customizable to your particular style of play, and that of your group. If you are not the DM, however, do not expect to be allowed to use those rules in someone else's campaign.

 

[Mistwell]

I would not allow a cleric to research and learn a wizard spell, ranger spell, or paladin spell either. I do not like the concept of unrestricted access by any spellcasting class to any spell. It changes the flavor of the game too much for me.

However, if it is your campaign, feel free to allow any variant rules you choose. That is the beauty of the system-it is highly customizable to your particular style of play, and that of your group. If you are not the DM, however, do not expect to be allowed to use those rules in someone else's campaign.

First you go on about how you don't like Bards casting healing spells and have your own houserule flavor to deal with that issue, and then you tell the guy if he goes with his interpretation then it's a houserule?

This "unrestricted access" issue makes even less sense to me. He is TAKING A FEAT to get a single spell. How does that equate with UNRESTRICTED access? Seems extremely restricted to me! We are not talking about all spell casters always having access to all spells from all classes at all times (that would be unrestricted). We are talking about using an extremely limited resource for characters to on rare occasion gain a single spell from another list. There are hoops he is jumping through, making it clear he doesn't view it as "unrestricted acess".

 

[videogamer247]

I think I know the answer that will settle this, though it doesn't directly answer the question in wizard's FAQ, it does say this...

"Can the warmage (Complete Arcane) benefit from the
Extra Spell feat?
No. Extra Spell lets you add one spell to your list of spells
known, but the spell must be taken from your class spell list.
Since the warmage already knows all the spells on his class
spell list, this feat has no effect." http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20030221a
from that link, click and download the FAQ (v.3.5 Main D&D FAQ). This question is under the warmage.

Since the answer to this FAQ says that the spell must be taken from your spell list, I'd assume that even for wizards it would be the same. So I guess that you can't use Extra spell feat to gain a divine spell or any other arcane spells out there.

But I'll also say that that's what wizards say. The rules are still only guide lines, not absolutes (hence the name DMs "guide") so if you want to make insanely rigged characters, provided your DM allows it, there's nothing stopping anyone from simply learning the Heal spell from the Extra spell feat.

Example, For my campaign, I'm allowing warmages to learn an extra sorcerers/wizards spell with the extra spell feat, but I'm not allowing anyone to say learn, Heal or Cure Serious wounds, etc.