What Do you think of the revised Archmage?

[Cloudgatherer]

Now Fly is 1 min/level... when did that happen?!?!

 

[coyote6]

Now Fly is 1 min/level... when did that happen?!?!

Choose your own answer:

a) 9 min/level ago

II) 3.5e

 

[Angcuru]

I think the change was unnecessary. The only classes that should have been tweaked are the core classes and core prestige classes that were originally released, IF that IMO. An archmage is the epitome of arcane spellcasting, and should mirror that. A prestige class has, by definition, prestige. If anything, they should have upped the requirements to enter the class, not the classes abilities. IMG, to become an archmage you have to have not only the requirements in the FRCS book, but defeat an arcane spellcaster of significantly higher level than yourself, which is done on a case-by case basis.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

A prestige class has, by definition, prestige.

That is not the definition of a prestige class. A prestige class is only supposed to be slightly more powerful than a base class, in order to balance out the requirements. It is not supposed to be that powerful.

If anything, they should have upped the requirements to enter the class, not the classes abilities.

WotC has shown that it is not up to this task.

IMG, to become an archmage you have to have not only the requirements in the FRCS book, but defeat an arcane spellcaster of significantly higher level than yourself, which is done on a case-by case basis.

WotC can't use RP-restrictions to balance a PrC. Among other things, it is up to the DM to impose any RP-restrictions. In addition, the player will win anyways and now the DM has to let him take the prestige class.

 

[taliesin52]

ALthough I never played any high level games (lvls 15+) I never saw a problem with the save DC's always being too high. In fact I despratly rely on it because I rarely play blast mages, prefering illusionists and even enchanters.... the guys with spells that don't do anything at all with a save that's been passed. All the change in spell power and feats which raise DC's has done is encourage me to play blasters and be content with my enemies taking half damage occasionally. There's little point in playing a caster who's spells will only succeed 10 or so percent of the time.

I realise this balances out the save or die spells, but I'd be happy if they left the DC's alone and changed all of these spells so that it wasn't a problem. I don't want someone who always believes my illusions (which they still have to disbelieve I know, but smart players and npcs can often figure out combat illusions) or always falls prey to my charms either though. It just seems like they've overdone things on that.

Sorry if I derailed the archmage discussion but it does relate to the core change they made.