Pathfinder 1E Spell Trees?

[Keldin]

In later versions of D&D 3.5e and Pathfinder, feat trees are commonly displayed that way. For example, in table 5-1 (page 114) of the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, several are listed. The first is Arcane Armor Training -> Arcane Armor Mastery, and the second is Armor Proficiency, Light -> Medium -> Heavy. The Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Disruptive, and Dodge trees are also on this page.

My question: has anyone ever done this for spells? For example, the one for Detect Magic might go like this: Detect Magic -> Arcane Sight -> Arcane Sight, Greater


If not, would anyone be willing to help me out in coming up with something like this? There once was a time when I thought I knew every spell out there... but that was a long, long time ago.

 

[Thac0 the Barbarian]

This is much less extensive then what you seem to be going for, but the simplest method would be to simply use the spell schools combined with spell levels as big versions of skill trees (ie. to learn a 3rd level evocation spell you must know at least 2 2nd level evocation spells. The number of spells required and whether or not there would be a pyramid effect could be adjusted around your preference.). It loses some of thematic grouping of very tight trees but enhances the flexibility somewhat.

You would have to look closely at the balance of generalist and specialist though since the utility advantages of generalist loose strength if they need to spend a number of their learned spells gaining access to spells higher up the tree
In each school

Typed on an iPhone, please forgive spelling errors

 

[Keldin]

Perhaps I made an error in my own statement, so allow me to clarify. What I am specifically looking for is spell trees in terms of theme/concept. The ones I mentioned are all based around the idea of detecting/seeing magic (or magic items, if you include Identify as well). I don't really care about levels or spell school (other than many spells in the same tree are likely to be of the same school). It's the theme that I'm interested in.

 

[Mad Hamish]

I don't know of any source that has done so.
Also are you wanting this as a method of grouping spells by theme/content or are you meaning to make it more like feat trees so that the earlier ones are required before you can get a later one? (So you can't get Arcane Sight Greater if you don't have Arcane Sight)

 

[Keldin]

The former, mostly. I'm curious about it in general, but it's mostly for my artificer character that I mentioned in another post. I was thinking about scenes/RP where he's talking to a customer about options. Alternatively, as a kind of 'cheat sheet' for if a customer comes in wanting some kind of magical item that does <so-and-so>. I was thinking I could break whatever the customer was asking for into tasks, much like a computer programmer does, and work up new magic items that way. I've read most of the spells out there, but I no longer really trust my memory (for one) and there are always more to learn (for two).

 

[Dandu]

oh god no