Options for arcane healing spells?

[Darklone]

I played a kobold sorcerer once who was allowed by the DM to learn Cure Light wounds as second level spell. I can't say it was unbalanced.

 

[kenobi65]

Interesting, I just reread that feat and there is nowhere stated that the spell has to be on your spell list. It even states that "Extra spell is generally used to learn a specific spell that the character lacks access to and would be unable to research".

I could swear I'd read somewhere that it's been clarified that it *can't* be used to gain a spell that isn't on your spell list, but it's not in the errata, at least.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I played a kobold sorcerer once who was allowed by the DM to learn Cure Light wounds as second level spell. I can't say it was unbalanced.

Granting the healing spells one level higher wouldn't be unbalancing at all. I even think that they won't do anything bad on their Cleric level. Why?

1) Sor/Wiz still cannot cast 'em spontaneously, thus they waste precious spell slots for inflexible healing.
2) Every round the Sor/Wiz doesn't barrage the foes with his attack/enchantment/whatever spells is a lost round, since Sor/Wiz are better at offensive spells than Cle/Dru, they're actually losing their full potential, when healing
3) The Sor/Wiz already has less spell slots than a Cle/Dru, who have almost Sor/Wiz-like spells now.

Or to illustrate that:
What do you usually want to cast: Blast enemies (several) at long range for 5d6 fireball, or heal single ally for 3d8+5? - Granted, sometimes healing is nice, but... the fireball would be better.

And for using CLW wands? Well single-class dip does the same, as well as UMD, so... personally I don't think arcane healing should be avoided, hence I'd just allow it, perhaps even stat it up with new spells, to distinguish the flavour.

 

[lukelightning]

This is why wizards always become super evil necro liches. If they had access to healing magic they wouldn't have to use vampiric touch or become undead and use negative energy to heal.

Note: I'm not saying vampiric touch is, in any way, evil. But if you're down to 3 hit points and there is a nice plump 3rd level commoner sitting over there, the temptation is mighty strong.

 

[Driddle]

re Extra Spell feat: does it specify that the spell must be arcane or divine magic, or can you cross that divide?

 

[mvincent]

From the 3.5 FAQ:
"Extra Spell lets you add one spell to your list of spells
known, but the spell must be taken from your class spell list."

 

[Vuron]

I think it would be reasonable to make a lower level variant of synostodweomer which would allow you to channel a spell into healing (likely d4 per spell level or d6 per 2 spell levels).

Make it a 4th level spell and the Wizard has access to emergency healing.

 

[frankthedm]

IMHO the Cleric's main balancing factor is that the party drains their spells for healing. If you let the parties other casters be able to take some of that burden off the cleric, you add more power to the cleric.


If done at all, I'd say let the wizard have pseudo healing spells that convert normal damage to non lethal.

Cauterize 0th level Stabilizes a dying creature in the most painful way imaginable.
Stitch light wounds 1st level 1d8+level [Max +5] damage converted to non lethal.
Stitch moderate wounds 2nd level 2d8+level [Max +10] damage converted to non lethal.
Stitch serious wounds 3rd level 3d8+level [Max +15] damage converted to non lethal.
Stitch Critical wounds 4st level 4d8+level [Max +20] damage converted to non lethal.

 

[Thanee]

Make it a 4th level spell and the Wizard has access to emergency healing.

Wizards already have a 4th-level healing spell, it's called Polymorph.

There's also a 2nd-level (?) necromantic spell, that heals, but also damages the wizard.
And you can use summon spells for healing purposes to some degree.

But yeah, Arcane Disciple is surely the easiest way to accomplish this.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Vuron]

Wizards already have a 4th-level healing spell, it's called Polymorph.

There's also a 2nd-level (?) necromantic spell, that heals, but also damages the wizard.
And you can use summon spells for healing purposes to some degree.

But yeah, Arcane Disciple is surely the easiest way to accomplish this.

Bye
Thanee

I try not to assume Polymorph too much as it's either been removed from a good number of campaigns or is heavily modified.