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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hashmalum" data-source="post: 547176" data-attributes="member: 9450">I disagree with the notion that archmage is primarily for those who make extensive use of evocation spells. Let's go though the high arcana list one-by-one.Arcane Fire: This ability seems intended to allow the character to go without preparing or even learning direct damage spells (most of which are evocation). Not only can you swap out non-damaging spells for damage, but it's non-elemental damage to boot, so nothing gets energy resistance against it as they would with, say, fireball or lightning bolt. The evoker doesn't need Arcane Fire for non-elemental damage as long as they have a few force spells.Arcane Reach: Most evocation spells don't have touch range and thus won't benefit from this ability in any way.Mastery of Counterspelling: The effects of this ability are limited to spells that can be affected by spell turning, which doesn't affect area or effect spells. Most evocations fall into one of those two categories. Because usually one must know or have prepared the spell to be counterspelled, the mage who makes extensive use of evocations will find this ability of limited use.Mastery of Elements: Clearly a boon to evokers. No arguments here.Mastery of Shaping: Again, a clearly pro-evocation ability.Spell Power +1, +2, +3: As another poster pointed out, these are more valuable for non-evocation effects which are completely negated by a successful save, such as the various charm, dominate, and polymorph effects, disintegrate, and so on.Spell-Like Ability: The ability to use a spell as a spell-like ability (without components) is really most useful for "emergency" spells that a mage might wish to cast when, say, silenced, grappled, or bound and gagged--spells such as dispel magic or dimension door. Most of these aren't evocations.So to sum things up, we have 2 out of 9 high arcana that are clearly intended for evocation-heavy spellcasters. I'd say that hardly qualifies as "really focused".</blockquote>

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