Precocious Apprentice

[Ceska]

Hi!

A friend of mine wants to play a Wizard/Archivist/Mystic Theurge in my upcoming War of the burning sky-campaign.
He came up with the idea to take precocious apprentice as his 1st level feat and this way qualify for the MT by taking Wiz1/Archivist 3.
Now another GM of mine told me, that precocious apprentice is not enough to qualify for a prc.

Can anybody point out why this is the case and, if possible, give me a link to an official ruling about it (faq)? I searched, but didn´t find anything.

Thanx in advance!

Ceska

 

[Slaved]

If I remember correctly the feat does get you into the class early but it has been said in some official, or official like, way that it was not meant to.

 

[Pyrex]

The author of the book stated that, but (AFAIK) it hasn't made it into either the FAQ or the Errata yet

 

[Ceska]

Does anyone know where he stated it?

 

[Pyrex]

I believe it was on the Wizards boards. A few minutes of googling will probably turn it up.

 

[mikebr99]

The Precocious Apprentice feat (CA 181) gives a character access to a second-level arcane spell, although that access is contingent on making a skill check. This brings up a number of questions concerning prestige class entry.

1. Does this second-level spell qualify the character for prestige classes requiring the ability to cast second-level spells?


2. If the answer to question 1 is "yes," that brings up an odd interaction between Precocious Apprentice and Mystic Theurge. Assuming that a character uses Precocious Apprentice to qualify for Mystic Theurge, he will reach second-level divine spellcasting before he reaches second-level arcane spellcasting. Precocious Apprentice states that "when you become able to cast 2nd-level spells, you lose the benefit described above..." The feat does not specify arcane spells; it simply says that you lose the ability when you become able to cast second-level spells.

Thus, the second question: when you become able to cast second-level divine spells, thank to Mystic Theurge, does this trigger the relevant clause in PA, causing you to lose the benefit of the feat?


3. If the answer to the second question is "yes," then on to the third question: when you lose the benefit of PA, you retain the second-level spell slot, "which you can use tp prepare or spontaneously cast a spell of 2nd level or lower as you normally would."

Now: our theoretical character cannot yet prepare or spontaneously cast second level arcane spells. He can prepare or spontaneously cast second level divine spells. Therefore, which of the following happens?

A. He gains a second-level spell slot which he can use to prepare or spontaneously cast divine spells (since those are the spells cast "as [he] normally would")

B. He gains a second-level arcane spell slot, despite the fact that he isn't yet at a level where he could normally have a second-level arcane spell slot.

Thanks in advance,

XXX

And the response...

Hi there XXX,

Thank you for contacting Wizards of the Coast game support!

When a prerequisite states that the character needs the "ability to cast 2nd level spells" then the character must have the actual ability to cast a 2nd level spell from a 2nd level spell slot as the result of their own class or racial ability. Feats like Precocious Apprentice, or items such as Rings of Spell-storing, and similar limited or temporary spellcasting benefits cannot fulfill such a prerequisite. Of course if the DM wants to house rule beyond what is intended, the DM is free to do so, but then must answer the other questions you put forth as part of that house rule.

Take Care and Good Gaming!

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Customer (XXX) 05/27/2007 09:13 AM
Greetings,

 

[Slaved]

I do not like that customer service answer. As far as I can tell they make up a houserule and then declare that any dungeon master who does not use their houserule is making up houserules.

Unless there are rules somewhere about feats being temporary bonuses and neither of those being able to fulfill requirements?

 

[Sejs]

I do not like that customer service answer. As far as I can tell they make up a houserule and then declare that any dungeon master who does not use their houserule is making up houserules.

Unless there are rules somewhere about feats being temporary bonuses and neither of those being able to fulfill requirements?

So, in other words "I do not like that answer, despite it being from an 'official' source, therefore I am going to ignore it"?

Just checking.

 

[Slaved]

So, in other words "I do not like that answer, despite it being from an 'official' source, therefore I am going to ignore it"?

That is nothing like what I said.

So, no, that would not be a good way to rephrase it.

 

[rgard]

In my campaigns, I play it the way Wizards responded. It doesn't get you to qualify for Mystic Theurge early.

I don't like the feat anyway. You lose the slot eventually (assuming you continue your arcane progression). I'd rather take another more useful feat.

Thanks,
Rich