| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Xysma |
Posted - 31 Jul 2007 : 16:17:51
So, my 3rd level wizard/10th level Master Specialist is becoming an archmage. I rarely play casters and have never played an archmage and wanted some clarification on the spell-like ability high arcana. It's not that big of an issue, but the text confused me a bit. It says that it costs a 5th level spell slot to learn this ability. So to have a 7th level spell as a spell-like ability it would cost me one 5th level spell slot and one 7th level spell slot. Now, let's say at next level I wanted to add another spell-like ability (just for convenience' sake, let's say it's 6th level), would I have to pay another 5th level spell slot in addition to the 6th level spell slot? Or since I already know the ability is it just the 6th level slot? |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Xysma |
Posted - 02 Aug 2007 : 05:12:43
Well, I took Mastery of Shaping at 1st level and I'm glad I did. I was able to blast away all night tonight while the rest of the group attacked. We got ambushed by five frost giants, no problem. Then we got attacked by two entombers from Frostburn and those were tough. I cast mass fire shield right off the bat, and they fled, only to reappear later. Since we were on the Great Glacier, they were really tough, popping up out of the ice where we couldn't get to them. So (bear with me I am proud of this one) I cast Simbul's Spell Sequencer, then the next round I cast crack ice so we could see them and get to them followed by a fireball on one (my two swift spells) then a delayed blast fireball on the other. The delayed blast killed one outright, then on the next round my major school esoterica (half damage on the second round on a failed save) finished off the other. What a night! I'll be playing casters for awhile. |
| Sian |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 22:23:16
other than that ... with master of shaping your friends don't have to keep their butts out of your nuke area ... and therefore place themself more aggesive getting full bonuses ... so it's just as much for letting you give maxinum firepower as keeping your friends at giving their full with no fear of getting into your private zone of hell *grins* |
| Xysma |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 16:45:51
quote:
Originally posted by Kes_Alanadel
Mastery of Shaping could also be used if the BBEG has hostages, not just to avoid friendly fire. 'Most' BBEG's tend to stay close to hostages, because they know that you wouldn't throw, say a fireball, at them if they are standing close to the hostage. Imagine the surprise of the BBEG when you still toss that fireball and he gets hurt, but the young person standing 5 feet from him is untouched. 
~Kes
Good point, ok I'm sold. |
| Kes_Alanadel |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 16:33:59
Mastery of Shaping could also be used if the BBEG has hostages, not just to avoid friendly fire. 'Most' BBEG's tend to stay close to hostages, because they know that you wouldn't throw, say a fireball, at them if they are standing close to the hostage. Imagine the surprise of the BBEG when you still toss that fireball and he gets hurt, but the young person standing 5 feet from him is untouched.
~Kes |
| Xysma |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 16:10:31
quote:
Originally posted by Sian
from a purely personal view i would as a evoker start with Mastery of elements and/or Mastery of shaping ... they'll allow you to use your most damaging spells at maximum useage giving no mind to where your friends are ... more useage of each spell :)
Good point, however, I don't have access to 8th level spells yet so I can't give up the 8th level spell slot for Mastery of elements, hence it's order in my list. I haven't ruled out MAstery of shaping, I just don't know how useful it would be given how well the company works together. There has really been only one time that I couldn't cast a spell for fear of friendly fire and that was because of the druid's smilodon. |
| Sian |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 09:17:16
from a purely personal view i would as a evoker start with Mastery of elements and/or Mastery of shaping ... they'll allow you to use your most damaging spells at maximum useage giving no mind to where your friends are ... more useage of each spell :) |
| Xysma |
Posted - 01 Aug 2007 : 04:37:25
quote:
Originally posted by Aelf
Xysma,
Congratulations on becoming an archmage!
Regarding the elimination of spell slots for High Arcana, I believe you are correct: each selection of the "Spell-Like Ability" High Arcana consumes a 5th level slot as well as a slot used by the spell-like ability.
Pray tell, what specialization did you choose?
Also, how long do you plan on being an archmage and what High Arcana do you plan on selecting?
Thanks, I thought it required the 5th level slot each time, but it wasn't 100% clear (didn't want to waste a spell slot if I didn't have to). I am an evoker, and I plan on taking all 5 levels of archmage followed by two more levels of wizard which will carry me to 20th level. Right now I plan on taking:
1st level: Mastery of shaping
2nd level: spell-like ability Delayed Blast Fireball (we're on the Great Glacier so fire spells have become a staple for me)
3rd level: Mastery of elements
4th level: I'm thinking about making Reverse Gravity another spell-like ability or possibly a maximized Blast of Flame, it's only 60 points of damage, but there's no SR and with my master specialist esoterica they'll take have damage on the next round with a failed save.
5th level: spell power
As an evoker, I'm the blaster so I'm not as concerned with counterspells and arcane fire just doesn't appeal to me. If I take the two spell powers I'll have a +4 caster level for my evocation spells. Mastery of elements is a must since I've focused on fire spells and the spell-like abilities just seem like fun. Any suggestions?
Edit: moved Mastery of elements to 3rd level, thanks Sian.
2nd edit: took Mastery of Shaping, thanks Kes |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 31 Jul 2007 : 22:59:05
Yes, you have to spend both, both times. That's why archmage is only good for certain abilities to me. If you want to do a counterspelling specialist using certain feats(improved counterspell, reactive counterspell, and I know somewhere recently I saw divine counterspell) , this class has mastery of counterspelling (of course, being a counterspelling specialist implies having a lot of spare spells/spellslots... keep that in mind for things like ultimate magus/mystic theurge). If you have an evoker, mastery of elements and mastery of shaping are great. Arcane reach can be very useful too, especially if you are a mystic theurge. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 31 Jul 2007 : 16:34:08
Each time you add a spell-like ability you lose the spell level slot and a 5th level spell. Remmeber you get the spell-like usable twice a day, unless you expend a higher level slot for more casting.
At least that is the way I understand it. |
| Aelf |
Posted - 31 Jul 2007 : 16:33:59
Xysma,
Congratulations on becoming an archmage!
Regarding the elimination of spell slots for High Arcana, I believe you are correct: each selection of the "Spell-Like Ability" High Arcana consumes a 5th level slot as well as a slot used by the spell-like ability.
Pray tell, what specialization did you choose?
Also, how long do you plan on being an archmage and what High Arcana do you plan on selecting?
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