Elf arcanist favored class bonus: useless without consume spells?

[Thelemic_Noun]

Elf favored class bonus:

Arcanist: Increase total number of points in the arcanist's arcane reservoir by 1.

Gnome favored class bonus:

Arcanist: Add 1/6 to the number of points the arcanist gains in her arcane reservoir each day.

So, from the wording of the gnome FCB, it appears the elven FCB only increases the maximum storage capacity of the reservoir? Does that mean that the elf can only take advantage of the FCB by using Consume Spells, and it only allows them to "stockpile" more of them for a "1 encounter day?"

[Saint_Yin]

You are correct. This is confirmed in that the Arcanist has a maximum pool of 3 + the Arcanist's level, but their reservoir gains 3 + 1/2 the Arcanist's level daily. Since there is no spill-over, it means all arcanists have at least 1 point under the maximum.

To quote the specific sentences:

Quote:

The arcanist's arcane reservoir can hold a maximum amount of magical energy equal to 3 + the arcanist's level. Each day, when preparing spells, the arcanist's arcane reservoir fills with raw magical energy, gaining a number of points equal to 3 + 1/2 her arcanist level. Any points she had from the previous day are lost.