Flame my PrC: Arcane-Mentor
- Thread starter Thain
- Start date
What makes or breaks a caster prestige class is usually the spell progression. With this class you lose 3 levels, if I counted right. In non-epic campaigns this is a heavy blow. Then you gain 4 metamagic feats, but a wizard gains a metamagic feat every 5 levels, so that comes out to only 2 bonus metamagic feats. If the skill points are cut down to 4 it seems not really overpowered to me, maybe even a tad underpowered. With the skill points at 2 it seems underpowered to me, from a purely mechanical point of view.
Compared to the archmage or loremaster it is at the very least baalnced, more like underpowered, and even a straight wizard compares well to this PrC (and straight wizards will have a big advantage in the first 10 epic levels anyway).
But since you asked for a flame: Fireball!
Compared to the archmage or loremaster it is at the very least baalnced, more like underpowered, and even a straight wizard compares well to this PrC (and straight wizards will have a big advantage in the first 10 epic levels anyway).
But since you asked for a flame: Fireball!
Thain
First Post
Arcane Mentor 2.0
Okay, this skill points per level are 4+Int, the above write-up was in error on that point. I'm adding a new ability should be added at levels 3, 6 and 9. So here's version 2.0 of this class:
Arcane Mentor v. 2.0
The Arcane Mentor uses her knowledge to watch over and train another spellcaster, forming a close personal bond between master and apprentice. This student once selected, remains connected to the Mentor until either the Mentor or the student dies. The Arcane Mentor typically teaches by example, spending a great deal of time conducting research, studying ancient tomes and often adventures to hone her arts in the field. The Mentor's protégée is expected to accompany her on such excursions, in a way each day is a test- which you either pass or die trying.
Class Skills:
Craft(int), Concentration(con), Decipher Script(int), Diplomacy(cha), Knowledge(any)(int), Heal(wis), Scry(wis), Sense Motive(wis) and, Spellcraft(int).
Skill Points at each level: 4+ Int modifier.
Hit Die: d4
Feats: Any two metamagic feats, Leadership.
Spellcraft: 8 ranks.
Knowledge (Arcana): 8 ranks.
Any two other Knowledge skills: 4 ranks each.
Special: Must be capable of casting Arcane spells of 3rd level or higher.
Special: Cohort gained through the leadership feat must have two or more levels in the same Arcane magic using class as the Arcane Mentor.
See kreynolds post, above, for class chart.
Weapon and Armor Prof:
No new profs, you know how the default text reads.
Spells per day:
You know how this works. +1 level at 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th level.
Ivory Tower:
Because of the intense and close relationship between the Arcane Mentor and her cohort, the Mentor has very little time to cultivate a working relationship with her followers. Because of this academic isolation, the Arcane Mentor has a -10 modifier to her Leadership Score for purposes of attracting followers ONLY.
However, the intense bond between master and student give the Arcane Mentor a +5 modifier to her Leadership Score, for puroses relating to her cohort.
Spell Secret:
The Mentor uncovers applicable knowledge during her studies. Choose a bonus metamagic feat at 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th level.
Arcane Training:
The Arcane Mentor is not just a gifted teacher; her student is a gifted pupil as well. At 2nd, 5th, and 8th levels the Arcane Mentor may select a Metamagic feat she possesses and may pass the secret onto her student as a bonus feat.
Practiced Ease:
The Arcane Mentors knowledge of magic and magical theory allows them to cast metamagic spells with greater ease than other spellcasters. At 3rd level, the Arcane Mentor gains the ability to reduce the level adjustment of metamagic feats by 1, to a minimum of 0. At 6th level, this adjustment increases to 2, and at 9th level, 3.
Example
A normal wizard could memorize and prepare a Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3) 4th level spell. However, an Arcane Mentor of at least 3rd level could prepare the same Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3-1) 3rd level spell.
Okay, this skill points per level are 4+Int, the above write-up was in error on that point. I'm adding a new ability should be added at levels 3, 6 and 9. So here's version 2.0 of this class:
Arcane Mentor v. 2.0
The Arcane Mentor uses her knowledge to watch over and train another spellcaster, forming a close personal bond between master and apprentice. This student once selected, remains connected to the Mentor until either the Mentor or the student dies. The Arcane Mentor typically teaches by example, spending a great deal of time conducting research, studying ancient tomes and often adventures to hone her arts in the field. The Mentor's protégée is expected to accompany her on such excursions, in a way each day is a test- which you either pass or die trying.
Class Skills:
Craft(int), Concentration(con), Decipher Script(int), Diplomacy(cha), Knowledge(any)(int), Heal(wis), Scry(wis), Sense Motive(wis) and, Spellcraft(int).
Skill Points at each level: 4+ Int modifier.
Hit Die: d4
Feats: Any two metamagic feats, Leadership.
Spellcraft: 8 ranks.
Knowledge (Arcana): 8 ranks.
Any two other Knowledge skills: 4 ranks each.
Special: Must be capable of casting Arcane spells of 3rd level or higher.
Special: Cohort gained through the leadership feat must have two or more levels in the same Arcane magic using class as the Arcane Mentor.
See kreynolds post, above, for class chart.
Weapon and Armor Prof:
No new profs, you know how the default text reads.
Spells per day:
You know how this works. +1 level at 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th level.
Ivory Tower:
Because of the intense and close relationship between the Arcane Mentor and her cohort, the Mentor has very little time to cultivate a working relationship with her followers. Because of this academic isolation, the Arcane Mentor has a -10 modifier to her Leadership Score for purposes of attracting followers ONLY.
However, the intense bond between master and student give the Arcane Mentor a +5 modifier to her Leadership Score, for puroses relating to her cohort.
Spell Secret:
The Mentor uncovers applicable knowledge during her studies. Choose a bonus metamagic feat at 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th level.
Arcane Training:
The Arcane Mentor is not just a gifted teacher; her student is a gifted pupil as well. At 2nd, 5th, and 8th levels the Arcane Mentor may select a Metamagic feat she possesses and may pass the secret onto her student as a bonus feat.
Practiced Ease:
The Arcane Mentors knowledge of magic and magical theory allows them to cast metamagic spells with greater ease than other spellcasters. At 3rd level, the Arcane Mentor gains the ability to reduce the level adjustment of metamagic feats by 1, to a minimum of 0. At 6th level, this adjustment increases to 2, and at 9th level, 3.
Example
A normal wizard could memorize and prepare a Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3) 4th level spell. However, an Arcane Mentor of at least 3rd level could prepare the same Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3-1) 3rd level spell.
Ugh... now it is overpowered imho. Empower for zero-cost? Double-empower? Triple-empower? Extend for free?
Better make that ability very limited per day, or you just created a monster than can, at 6th level of the PrC, deliver a fireball with unlimited damage (just stack on empower spell and keep at it).
This ability beats the epic feat Improved Metamagic, which has a requirement (apart from being epic) of 4 metamagic feats and 30 ranks in spellcraft... (ELH p. 59), hands down.
Better make that ability very limited per day, or you just created a monster than can, at 6th level of the PrC, deliver a fireball with unlimited damage (just stack on empower spell and keep at it).
This ability beats the epic feat Improved Metamagic, which has a requirement (apart from being epic) of 4 metamagic feats and 30 ranks in spellcraft... (ELH p. 59), hands down.
Thain
First Post
Mea culpa
Your right, your right; I over-corrected, but I think I have the right idea- I want the PrC to be both a metamagic wiz (pardon the pun) and a good and gifted teacher with a very loyal cohort/apprentice.
Everyone seems to agree, imho, that the Spell Secret and Arcane Training are decently balanced. As is a d4 HD, and 4 skill points/lvl... But, most seem to also lean towards the loss of spells as a handicap.
Also, the class seems fairly geared towards "EZ-on, EZ-off", I grow afraid of people only taking the first 2-5 levels, buffing their cohort and moving on in a PrC like Archmage or (gasp) Incantantrix. Thus, I wanted to spread something over the course of the class... Practiced Ease was over the top, thus I give you:
Practiced Ease Take Two
The Arcane Mentors knowledge of magic and magical theory allows them to cast metamagic spells with greater ease than other spellcasters. At 3rd level, the Arcane Mentor gains the ability to reduce the level adjustment of any one metamagic feat she possess by 1, to a minimum of 0.
At 6th level, the Arcane Mentor gaisn this ability agian, and may apply it to any metamagic feat she possesses. The Arcane Mentor may, if she desires, reduce the level adjustment of a metamagic feat that has already been the subject fo this ability, but may not reduce the ajustment lower than 0.
No more than one Practiced Ease metamagic feat may be applied to the same spell at the reduced cost. The Arcane Mentor may of course combine normal cost Metamagic Feats to spells prepared with Practiced Ease, but only one feat can have the discounted level adjustment.
Example
A normal wizard could memorize and prepare a Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3) 4th level spell. However, an Arcane Mentor of at least 3rd level, who selected Practiced Ease (Maximize), could prepare the same Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3-1) 3rd level spell.
Well? Whatcha think about it, now?
Your right, your right; I over-corrected, but I think I have the right idea- I want the PrC to be both a metamagic wiz (pardon the pun) and a good and gifted teacher with a very loyal cohort/apprentice.
Everyone seems to agree, imho, that the Spell Secret and Arcane Training are decently balanced. As is a d4 HD, and 4 skill points/lvl... But, most seem to also lean towards the loss of spells as a handicap.
Also, the class seems fairly geared towards "EZ-on, EZ-off", I grow afraid of people only taking the first 2-5 levels, buffing their cohort and moving on in a PrC like Archmage or (gasp) Incantantrix. Thus, I wanted to spread something over the course of the class... Practiced Ease was over the top, thus I give you:
Practiced Ease Take Two
The Arcane Mentors knowledge of magic and magical theory allows them to cast metamagic spells with greater ease than other spellcasters. At 3rd level, the Arcane Mentor gains the ability to reduce the level adjustment of any one metamagic feat she possess by 1, to a minimum of 0.
At 6th level, the Arcane Mentor gaisn this ability agian, and may apply it to any metamagic feat she possesses. The Arcane Mentor may, if she desires, reduce the level adjustment of a metamagic feat that has already been the subject fo this ability, but may not reduce the ajustment lower than 0.
No more than one Practiced Ease metamagic feat may be applied to the same spell at the reduced cost. The Arcane Mentor may of course combine normal cost Metamagic Feats to spells prepared with Practiced Ease, but only one feat can have the discounted level adjustment.
Example
A normal wizard could memorize and prepare a Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3) 4th level spell. However, an Arcane Mentor of at least 3rd level, who selected Practiced Ease (Maximize), could prepare the same Maximized Magic Missile as a (1+3-1) 3rd level spell.
Well? Whatcha think about it, now?
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