Extra Spell Feat from Complete Arcane

[The Madhatter]

That's what I thought too, but then they go and put that wording about "not having access to..." in and it made me think.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I dunno. The wording there says "and would be unable to research"... not "is too lazy to research" or "can't find the time in his busy schedule to research" or even "can't research any spells 'cause his GM is a prat".

These are all reasons why a wizard would be unable to research. Did you really expect the feat to list every possible reason why a wizard might be unable to research a spell? The reasons are nigh infinite, since the DM's campaign world might include any number of campaign-specific reasons for such a thing. Far simpler to use the generalization it did. Wizards who need a specific spell and don't have the option to learn it from a scroll or research it themselves can use Extra Spell to snag the spell.

Not all feats will be equally useful to all characters. A wizard could spend a feat to become proficient in all simple weapons, or a martial or exotic weapon, or armor, or shields, but most will not find any of these to be an optimal use of a feat as the benefit gained. Extra Spell will be more beneficial to a sorcerer or a bard, and a wizard will find that the benefit of the feat is small.

I was going to respond to the bit about usefulness myself until I noticed this post come up as I was writing. FireLance is right on the money.

That said, I don't think it is mechanically unbalancing for this feat to allow a character to learn a spell that is not on his spell list.

I agree with this as well, though as a DM I'd make sure the player understood that each time he wanted the feat, I'd have to approve the specific spell. Then again, IMC it wouldn't be necessary. I allow wizards to research arcane versions of cleric spells just like any other spell. They spend the cash, then find out if their research was successful.

But I don't think allowing spells from another spell list was the intent of the feat, so such an allowance would be a House Rule.

 

[green slime]

But I don't think allowing spells from another spell list was the intent of the feat, so such an allowance would be a House Rule.

Obviously the wording is strange, or the discussion would not be occuring. You cannot say such an interpretation is a house rule. It is just your opinion on the intent of the feat.

 

[RangerWickett]

I feel that if WotC wanted a wizard to be able to learn a divine spell, something which they have been loathe to do in most products, they would have come out and said so clearly. Like, "An arcane spellcaster may choose a spell from any class's spell list, even a divine spell."

I, of course, would allow it, as I see no harm in wizards knowing harm. But rules-adhering groups might disagree.

 

[Someone]

For Classes such as the Wizard that have more options for learning spells, Extra Spell is generally used to learn a specific spell that the character lacks access to and would be unable to research.

Which in turn means:

Wo wowowowo woooooowowowo pie ghyghghooooopstz!

I´d simply ignore that part.

 

[irdeggman]

I think this feat is specifically (without stating such) desinged for spontaneous casters like sorcerers and bards. It would allow them an additional spell to their known list. Even though a spell is on their class list - they are limited to the number of spells that they can know and are barred from the rules of adding any additional spells known via research as a wizard would do. That is the number of spells that they can know is limited at all times and is not modified by their Charisma modifier.

Using that as the context it makes perfect sense, it pretty much doesn't have any use for a wizard unless he wanted to immediately learn a new spell, IMO - I'd never take that feat for a wizard, but for a sorcerer it is a pure gem.

 

[reanjr]

My theory is that it is purposely vague so that no one would get annoyed at a ruling, and it would be left up to the DM to make a decision on it.

 

[Li Shenron]

For Classes such as the Wizard that have more options for learning spells, Extra Spell is generally used to learn a specific spell that the character lacks access to and would be unable to research.

I think it is quite important to read the entire description of this feat.

Does it have a prerequisite of being an arcane caster? If not, if it is ruled to allow a Wizard to learn divine spells, it also allows a Cleric to learn arcane spells.

As for game utility, one feat for an extra known spell of 1 level less than your top is a very high cost even for a Sorcerer, and in fact I think I am the only one whom I've seen taking it... :\

 

[The Madhatter]

My theory is that it is purposely vague so that no one would get annoyed at a ruling, and it would be left up to the DM to make a decision on it.

I'm starting to agree with Reanjr. If WOTC came out and stated that the feat allows arcane/divine cross over, the purists would wring their hands and damn WOTC to a fiery hell. They may have written some ambiguity into it(hah!) to allow DMs to make the call.

Does it have a prerequisite of being an arcane caster? If not, if it is ruled to allow a Wizard to learn divine spells, it also allows a Cleric to learn arcane spells.

I think you may be right. Of course I don't have access to the book now to research it!

 

[Thanee]

Since Extra Spell does not take away the regular restrictions on learning a spell, those still apply.

The quote just explains a reason, why a wizard might want to take this feat... of course, no wizard in his or her right mind would ever take this feat.

If you are looking for a way to get Planar Ally as an arcane caster, maybe Arcane Disciple (not sure, if there is a domain, which has it, but there are so many out there), or the Hathran PrC (again not sure, but it does get some Planar spells added to the spell list and can be either arcane or divine) from the PGtF might work. The latter is pretty FR specific, tho.

Bye
Thanee