Why only clerics?

[Gideon]

THAUMATURGIST
Hit Die: d4.
Requirements
To qualify to become a thaumaturgist, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Feats: Spell Focus (conjuration).
Spells: Able to cast lesser planar ally.

Is there a reason that this shouldn't be opened to Magi as well? It is easily done by just including in

Spells: Able to cast lesser planar ally or lesser planer binding.

Is there a reason they didn't allow both caster regimes?

 

[Nail]

THAUMATURGIST
......
Spells: Able to cast lesser planar ally.

Is there a reason that this shouldn't be opened to Magi as well?

Yep, there's a good reason. ...or rather, there's a reason that is sufficient. No comment on whether it's "good".

The 1st, 4th, and 5th level powers of the Thaumaturist only work with the Planar Ally spells. As a Wiz/Sor, you're not using Diplomacy (and Planar Ally) to convince the being to work with you. You're trying a modified Cha check (and Planar Binding) to force the outsider to do your bidding.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I wouldn't be surprised if there will be an arcane version in the upcoming Complete Arcane.

 

[Gideon]

something about nail hitting head would be a good response here.

 

[Piratecat]

"Thaumaturge" is defined as a wizard. The name for a cleric prestige class is a little silly.

 

[Impeesa]

A splash of Exalted Arcanist will get you in, as will the Arcane Disciple feat with an appropriate domain. Of course, then you're relying on supplements to fix core problems...

--Impeesa--

 

[ecliptic]

then you're relying on supplements to fix core problems...

Theres no problem to begin with. So exactly what are you fixing?

Also here is the definition of thaumaturge

thau·ma·turge Audio pronunciation of "thaumaturge" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (thôm-tûrj) also thau·ma·tur·gist (-tûrjst)
n.

A performer of miracles or magic feats.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Theres no problem to begin with. So exactly what are you fixing?

Also here is the definition of thaumaturge

thau·ma·turge Audio pronunciation of "thaumaturge" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (thôm-tûrj) also thau·ma·tur·gist (-tûrjst)
n.

A performer of miracles or magic feats.

Sounds like it could be for either a cleric or mage.... Clerics for the "performer of miracles" and mages for the "magic feats"...

 

[Plane Sailing]

Is there a reason they didn't allow both caster regimes?

personally I can't think of any reason why there shouldn't be a summoning prestige class which is open to all magic users. They wrote it in one particular way, but why they wrote it closed just to cleric spell users is a mystery to me.

Cheers

 

[Henry]

The funny thing is, I didn't know that Thaumaturgist was open only to clerics until recently - it frankly surprised me. In flavor terms, when I think of a summoner of extrapalanar creatures, I DON'T initially think of the cleric... It's just not mentally associated in the general public fantasy zeitgeist.