[Q] Rainbow Servant PrC with spontaneous caster

[DemonLoki]

I am interested in the Rainbow Servent PrC to add some flexibility and utility to my WarMage build, however I have run into a wall. According to Complete Divine at 10th level the Rainbow Servent gains "Cleric Spell Access" The ability is defined as such:

Cleric Spell Access
A 10th-level rainbow servant can learn and cast spells from the cleric list, even if they don't appear on the lists of any spellcasting class he has. Such spells are cast as divine spells if they don't appear on the sorcerer/wizard or bard spell lists. This class feature grants access to the spells, but not extra spells per day. The 10th-level rainbow servant can likewise read scrolls.

Now this is where I would like everyones opinion on some clarifications. From reading other forums and what people have posted, most people take Rainbow Servant with a spontaneous caster like Beguiler/Warmage etc and have access to spontaneously cast any Cleric spell. My friends argue that a Warmage doesn't immediately get access to these spells, just the ability to 'learn' them for future casting, like with Advanced Learning. The other issue is the confusion with the text and table when it comes to spell casting progression. The table infers a loss of 4 levels over the course of the 10 level PrC, whereas the text states you gain a level EACH level with no loss of 4 levels. I've read that RAW wins, so text over table and to go with the rules as they were written... but what do you guys think? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Dandu]

The Complete Divine errata states that the general rule for text/table conflict is to go with the text.

Also, your friend is wrong for reasons that you have probably already read about online.

 

[DemonLoki]

Thank you for the quick reply. Unfortunately one of the friends happens to be the DM, however he is understanding... It would benefit my situation if there was something I could show him, or perhaps a better way to explain to him why it works and why he's wrong? Again, thank you for the quick reply

 

[Dandu]

Sorcerers select spells they know from their spell list.
Beguilers and Warmages know all the spells from their spell list and select Advanced Learning spells from the spell lists of another class.

When the Rainbow Servant adds all the Cleric spells to a Sorcerer's spell list, the Sorcerer then selects a Cleric spell when she gets to learn a new spell.

When all cleric spells are added to a Beguiler or Warmage's spell list, they know them all automatically and do not have a need to use Advanced Learning to select them.

This will not convince your DM because he has likely made up his mind and will start to interpret reality in the manner most convenient for him, like all humans.

Also, it is unbalanced.

 

[DemonLoki]

I think the part he is having trouble with is the fact that the text states "can learn and cast" not that the spells are automatically added to the existing spell list. I'm in the process of trying to get this working with him. I'm willing to take the table over the text and give up those 4 caster levels if this will help him a little

 

[Persiflage]

When a warmage gains access to a new level of spells, he automatically knows all the spells for that level listed on the warmage's spell list. Essentially, his spell list is the same as his spells known list.

And...

A 10th-level rainbow servant can learn and cast spells from the cleric list, even if they don't appear on the lists of any spellcasting class he has. Such spells are cast as divine spells if they don't appear on the sorcerer/wizard or bard spell lists. This class feature grants access to the spells, but not extra spells per day.

The Cleric Casting feature grants access to the spells. A Warmage knows all the spells for any level he has access to: his spell list is the same as his "spells known" list. If he has access to the spell, he knows it. If he knows it, he can cast it.

Still, if your DM doesn't want it to work that way, it probably won't.

The Sage did rule in favour but I can't find the original Q&A; it doesn't seem to have been archived.

I can, however, point you to places where people quote the Q&A, which might help you:

On GiantITP
On Wizards - see post #14

Finally, and probably most usefully, if you download the main D&D 3.5 FAQ, you will find (on pg. 29):

Q: If a warmage (CAr 10) gains access to all the cleric
spells though the rainbow servant prestige class (CD 54),
does he really have all those spells to choose from each time
he casts a spell?

A: If a warmage takes ten levels of rainbow servant, he adds
all of the spells from the cleric spell list to his own.

If that's not enough for ya, I don't know what is.

 

[Dandu]

You can probably get a better response if you ask here.

 

[DemonLoki]

Thank you guys, that was incredibly helpful. I think the Main 3.5 FAQ pg29 will be a great asset. As I said the DM is understanding, so that should provide enough proof to argue my case. This should make for a very interesting character. If anyone is curious of the entire Lvl 17 build let me know