Spell Mastery clarification

[kengar]

One of my player's had a question about the Wizard feat Spell Mastery. I wasn't sure what the deal was so I thought I would simply post what she asked in her email to this forum:

First, I want to be sure I understand the Spell Mastery feat. from the PHB (p. 54):

"From that point on, the wizard can prepare these spells without referring to a spellbook. The wizard is so intimately familiar with these spells that she doesn't need a spellbook to prepare them anymore."

What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that in addition to her allotment of spells per day, the wizard gets these extra? Or does it just mean that if the wizard loses her spellbook she can still cast these spells?

 

[hammymchamham]

Or does it just mean that if the wizard loses her spellbook she can still cast these spells?

That

 

[Apok]

Specifically, Spell Mastery allows you to prepare those spells without using a spellbook. Very usefull if you find yourself imprisoned or otherwise denied access to your spellbooks.

 

[Li Shenron]

It's a very DM-dependent feat: if you don't have it, your DM would feel very sadistic to let your spellbook being stolen; if you have it, your DM would feel compelled to have it stolen at least once and make you feel you didn't waste a feat.

I also thought that the Wizard's bonus feats were added so that a Wiz can have up to 4 "free" Spell Mastery, after noticing that the spellbook rules are cruel for the Wiz, compared to the other spellcasters. Eventually, since you can use the bonus feats for something else (metamagic or item creation), very few PCs take SM at all - and several people think the Sorcerer is worse than the Wizard also because of missing those bonus feats.

Now. If all the 4 bonus Wiz feats could be ONLY spell mastery, would you think that the Wiz would become underpowered when compared to a Sorcerer? I don't know, honestly I haven't played that far high in levels. But I am sure, becoming an automatic class feature, I think it wouldn't hurt as much as it does.

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

It's a very DM-dependent feat: if you don't have it, your DM would feel very sadistic to let your spellbook being stolen; if you have it, your DM would feel compelled to have it stolen at least once and make you feel you didn't waste a feat.

I also thought that the Wizard's bonus feats were added so that a Wiz can have up to 4 "free" Spell Mastery, after noticing that the spellbook rules are cruel for the Wiz, compared to the other spellcasters. Eventually, since you can use the bonus feats for something else (metamagic or item creation), very few PCs take SM at all - and several people think the Sorcerer is worse than the Wizard also because of missing those bonus feats.

My Wizard has taken Spell Mastery, more out of flavor than actual efficiency. I Spell Mastered what I needed you I ever be imprisoned (i think i took Teleport, Invisibility, Magic Missile, Wall of Force and anorther...) althought that has naver happened. I also never have lost my spellbook.

There is one more reason why i took spell mastery... So i could take "Signature Spell" (FRCS, you spontaneously cast a spell like clerics spontaneously cast cure spells)...

Maitre D

 

[Bastoche]

I lost my spell book in my first game at first level. Very sad. I was very fortunate. The DM planned we were going to start the campaign without equipment.

The introduction was the following: each PC were confortably at home enjoying the evening when guards put us under arrest for murder of a guy no PC knew. So since we all (except one PC) agreed to cooperate with the guard, we decided to leave our equipement behind. Since the charges were bogus, maybe the guards were too. Anyway, there was no point in taking our equipement behind. As a wizard, I assume he would never leave his spellbook behind even if he knew it would be confiscated anyway. I most admit I metagamed a bit but I didn't have much choice. Even by brining it with me, I was lucky to get my hands back on it afterwards. I'll surely take spell mastery someday to make sure this never happens again!