Interesting Discovery re: New Wiz Spells

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I dunno if others know about this, but it was a real discovery to me. Wizards get two new spells when they advance a level. But this is something specific to the wizard class; in other words, arcane prestige classes don't get the bonus spells. In all the games I've ever played in, wiz-type characters always got new spells upon advancement - even if they were advancing in non-wiz prestige classes (that grant +1 spellcasting level). I guess we all took it for granted.

It makes sense, as it gives another reason to take Wiz levels even when prestige class levels with +1 spellcasting levels are available. I used to think that wizards only got bonus metamagic feats, scribe scroll, and summon familiar. Now I realize they also get the bonus spells - which is no small benefit.

I was surprised to find this out. But I wasn't the only one. It was a revelation for us. Interesting.

 

[Jack Simth]

That's not entierly true; some of the prestige classes specify that they also get spells known, if applicable (see Mystic Theurge, Loremater, and Archamge (I think) in the SRD). It's commonly thought that those +1 caster level always include spells known as well (in other words, that it is a case of bad editing).

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I dunno if others know about this, but it was a real discovery to me. Wizards get two new spells when they advance a level. But this is something specific to the wizard class; in other words, arcane prestige classes don't get the bonus spells. In all the games I've ever played in, wiz-type characters always got new spells upon advancement - even if they were advancing in non-wiz prestige classes (that grant +1 spellcasting level).

It makes sense, as it gives another reason to take Wiz levels even when prestige class levels with +1 spellcasting levels are available. I used to think that wizards only got bonus metamagic feats, scribe scroll, and summon familiar. Now I realize they also get the bonus spells - which is no small benefit.

I was surprised to find this out. But I wasn't the only one. It was a revelation for us. Interesting.

In case anyone still cares what CustServ says on the subject, they claim that the two spells are part of the Wizard spellcasting level, which means you get them when you get a prestige class that gives you spellcasting levels. But then, the prestige class rules are badly written and vague. There are several prestige classes that only give spells per day, and not spells known (the mystic theurge, for example), which is an obvious error.

 

[dcollins]

Yeah, I'd like to see what the original poster's evidence is for this. In previous discussions here, I've been convinced that the intent for "+1 spellcasting level" has been to include spells known.

 

[Bront]

This has been discussed here before (Actualy, I usually see this come up at least once a week in one form or another). Spells Known/Learned are part of +1 spellcaster level.

Personaly, I've always allowed Wizards to learn a number of spells equal their Int bonus, or 2, which ever is better. 2 is very limiting, and makes the poor wizard spend money to buy scrolls AND money to scribe scrolls, which is so expensive.

 

[Wycen]

3.0 clarified that prestige classes that gave +1 to caster level allowed wizards to gain 2 new spells. So far as I know, 3.5 has never made this clarification.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I'm going by the RAW in the 3.5 PH. Either the magic section or the wizard class section specifically states that 2 new spells are learned when a wizard level is gained.

If it was clarified in a FAQ or something, I didn't know that.

 

[Thanee]

So, sorcerers do not gain new spells known when they pick up most arcane spellcasting prestige classes then?

Good stuff!

Bye
Thanee