Spell Power, is it worth it?

[Lord Pendragon]

Can someone tell me how the Spell Power ability of the Archmage PrC has changed in 3.5?

Thanks.

 

[kreynolds]

(for purposes of determining level-dependent spell variables such as damage dice or range, and caster level checks only)

 

[Pax]

And it's only a +1 benefit, costing a 5th level slot. Though not explicitly stated AFAIK, it's implied you can only take it ONCE, not multiple times.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Thanks for the clarification, guys!

Now another question. I have a character that's a Wizard7/Loremaster5 that I plan to take levels in Archmage at 14th-level. This change to spell power doesn't change my plans, since I'm mainly interested in the prestige of being an archmage, and a few of the other abilities (Elemental Mastery, Spell-Like Ability) were appealing to me anyway.

That said, I had planned on taking Spell Power I, since he won't be able to qualify for the other abilities at his first level of Archmage.

So the question: Is the new Spell Power still worth a 5th-level slot? Or should I have my PC take another couple levels of Loremaster, then enter Archmage at 16th-level, so that he'll qualify for the other High Arcanas I'm interested in, and not waste a spell slot on Spell Power at all?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Still thinking about Spell Power.

I must admit that it seems rather weak, considering that the cost is the permanent loss of a 5th-level spell slot. I would think that since they'd weakened Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus, allowing the old Spell Power would have been fine, but I guess not.

Still, the question stands: is the new 3.5 Spell Power worth a fifth-level slot, or should I look into something else?

 

[ThirdWizard]

I wouldn't take it. The main thing caster level will get you that I can think of is +1 die of damage if you havn't hit the cap already, +1 to caster level checks, a bit longer duration, and possibly some range. In all these cases, I can't imagine it's worth actually losing a spell over. If you want more damage that's another cone of cold, if you want longer durations that's another spell, and +1 against spell resistance or dispel checks still isn't as good as another dispel magic.

Now, variety will be increased, as all your spells will have that bit of damage and duration increase, but I can't see it worth a spell slot when things like Mastery of Elements and Mastery of Counterspells are out there. I could be wrong though, I havn't statistically looked at it, but it just doesn't look... arch... to me, you know?

 

[ruleslawyer]

And it's only a +1 benefit, costing a 5th level slot. Though not explicitly stated AFAIK, it's implied you can only take it ONCE, not multiple times.

Where is that implied exactly?

Spell Power: This ability increases the archmage’s effective caster level by +1 (for purposes of determining level-dependent spell variables such as damage dice or range, and caster level checks only). This ability costs one 5th-level spell slot.

I don't think they need an explicit "stacking" provision in the description of this ability for it to stack. Do you think an archmage couldn't take multiple spell-like ability high arcana in 3.5, then?

 

[Technik4]

Hefty Discussion

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59412

Check out some of my points, although I will grant you that they mostly refer to the Red Wizard's Spell Power, some of my points also apply to the Archmage's.

Personally I think its best for Transmutations (Shapechange), Evocations (Polar Ray, custom spells), and Conjurations (Gate and other Ally spells). Its decent for Abjurations (Banishment/Dismissal, Dispel Checks) and Necromancies (Undead Control, making better Undead at levels below 20). For Ench/Illus/Divinations I couldn't find many specific positive things to say about it. The above are effects that apply up to and beyond level 20, there are many benefits for all schools during the levels before 20, just start looking up individual high level spells, seeing how a higher caster level could be to your advantage.

If you are considering just taking Spell Power +1, understand that it is a +1 to dispel checks, SR checks, makes your spells 5% harder to dispel, and depending on your level, makes your spells slightly better. I'd say its a decent effect, not to be scoffed at, and it only costs a 5th level slot.

Only when you compare it to 3.0e Spell Power does it seem really underpowered, imo.

Technik