wolf70 said:
What is the magic system like? Is the book higher powered than core? Tell me more or direct me to some info, please!
DM
Oh boy. Were to begin. I'll try my best to give the reader's digest version.
The spell system works in similar concept to the core book system in that there are 9 spell levels (actually, there is 10 levels now if you buy Arcana Evolved). spells are simply "arcane" spells, there are no distinctions with divine magic, i.e. no clerics. The spells are still defined by schools and other energy or elemental descriptors. Spells are also listed as simple, complex, or exotic. Obviously, the simple spells are the most common or easy/universal for any class to know. The complex are rarer and more powerful on average. Exotic are almost unique to specific spell casters and are available only by feats or class previleages.
If a class can cast spells, then it first tells you if you have access to simple spells only or, in the case of the Magister, simple and complex spells. Some classes give you access to simple spells plus a few complex spells with a specific descriptor. Example: A greenbond has access to simple spells plus any complex spell with the "positive" energy descriptor.
If you are a spell caster, then you know all spells of a given level that you have access to. Your class gives you two charts, one tells you how many spells you can ready for a day, and the other tells you how many times you cast those ready spells. For instance, a 2nd level Magister can ready any 3 spells of first level that are simple or complex. Of those three spells readied, he can choose from them 2 times. Either the same one twice or two different ones. This combines the best part of the Wizard and the Sorcerer. You get the versatility of a Wizard but can cast any spell you have readied at your leasure any number of times as long as you still have the available spell slots to cast spells.
But it gets better, you can "unravel" spell slots to cast multiple spells of lower level, or combine low level spell slots to cast a higher level spell. Metamagic feats , in most cases, don't require you to cast the spell at a higher level, but "laden" the spell instead. That means you burn the the same level spell slot twice to cast the spell with the feat. That's nice, it gives you access to metamagic feats earlier in the game (a 5th level caster can cast a *fire ball* and modify it to be empowered by burning 2 third level spell slots.)
Now the best for last. Each spell comes with a diminished or hightened effect. You can knock a level off the spell for the "slot" you burn when casting it for the diminished spell effect or add a level to the spell slot you burn for the hightened spell effect.
Now the spells are on average a little weaker do to the versatility provided, but IMO, more interesting. For instance, there is not a fireball spell, but Sorcerous Blast: A complex spell that has long range with a 20' blast radius. The cool thing is, you get to choose an elemental type for the blast when you cast it (Air, Earth, Fire, or Water). You must aim the spell as a ray, and if it is blocked by a barrier, then the spell goes off before getting to the target; but if it hits the target, then not only does everyone have to make a ref save, but the target needs to make it twice! The diminshed version only effects one target (no blast) and the target only has to make one save (not bad for a second level attack spell). The heightened version does 1d8 points of damage per level and the caster can instead choose a energy type instead of the elemental types.
Example: Nightcloak the Magister, 10th level with a Sorcerous Blast readied for the day and the modify metamagic feat.
He could burn a 3rd level spell slot to cast a 10d6 fire blast, or two 3rd level slots two cast a modified (empowered) 15d6 fire blast, or one 4th level spell slot to cast a 10d8 Sonic blast. OR he could spend a 5th level spell slot and "unravel" it into two 4th level spell slots, and in turn use those to cast a modified (empowered) 15d8 Sonic Blast.
That's a lot of versatility. Plus I haven't even mentioned power components or the spell templates!
Hope I did all of that some justice. It's a big topic to cover with limited time/space. I'll answer any follow up questions the best I can.
Honestly, get the book (or PDF!), you won't regret it.
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
