alchemists' Spell Knowledge discovery - how does it work?

[VRMH]

(First: this is not about Pages of Spell Knowledge or Rings of Spell Knowledge, but the Spell Knowledge Discovery.)

Spell Knowledge wrote:

Select a single spell from the sorcerer/wizard spell list that is at least 2 levels lower than your highest-level extract known. You can prepare and cast this spell as an arcane spell. Preparing the spell uses up an extract slot 1 level higher than the spell's level.

That's pretty cool. But how does it work? Does the Alchemist prepare the spell like a Wizard and if so: is the spell in his Formula Book or does he need a separate Spell Book? Can Wizards read an Alchemist's spell, even though they cannot understand Formulae?

Or do they just concentrate for 15 minutes, like a Sorcerer?

[Irwin, the Gnome]

It doesn't mention that you need any extra Spellbook, or Read Magic. Just treat the fiddly bits the same as you've been doing with your Formulae Book (including how others read it).

The meat and potatoes of the Discovery is the ability to cast a spell. That gives you an Arcane Caster Level, and qualifies you for feats like Arcane Strike and Item Creation feats.

[Ascalaphus]

It looks like you actually coast it, since it talks about how this also counts for spell completion items (alchemists extracts normally can only do spell trigger).

[VRMH]

Ascalaphus wrote:

It looks like you actually coast it

Oh, I took the casting as a given. It's the preparation that has me puzzled.

[Gisher]

Since it says you prepare it, I've assumed that you need to work from a written version like a Wizard rather than the way Sorcerer prepares spells. Since the spell fills your elixir slots, I have assumed that it can be recorded in your formula book alongside your elixirs. For the same reason I think that learning the spell day should be included in the time spent preparing your elixirs. But that's just my opinion.

[zainale]

my take is that your a wizard that knows only one spell if you take spell knowledge so you have it written in your book you got to memorize it it take a slot of one of your extracts one lvl higher then its lvl and you need to have what ever it is it needs to be cast. so make sure it is something you can live with for the rest of your game. and there is a trait or feat out there that does allow a wizard to read and learn from the alchemist's formula book. came across it in noted it but did not bother to memorize what it was >.<

[thejeff]

zainale wrote:

my take is that your a wizard that knows only one spell if you take spell knowledge so you have it written in your book you got to memorize it it take a slot of one of your extracts one lvl higher then its lvl and you need to have what ever it is it needs to be cast. so make sure it is something you can live with for the rest of your game. and there is a trait or feat out there that does allow a wizard to read and learn from the alchemist's formula book. came across it in noted it but did not bother to memorize what it was >.<

It doesn't really matter. The individual spell may be useful, but the real point of the discovery is that it opens up crafting feats.

[zainale]

yea sure take it to open up crafting but depending at what lvl you take the discovery you can use a really good spell. bet you are saying you would take drench just so you can make magic items if i had to chose any spell i would use animate tools or secret pockets depending when i got the discovery?

[Cavall]

Your character your choice Zainale

Looks like it's prepped and cast through your spellbook. So wizard would be the way to go.

[Gisher]

thejeff wrote:

zainale wrote:

my take is that your a wizard that knows only one spell if you take spell knowledge so you have it written in your book you got to memorize it it take a slot of one of your extracts one lvl higher then its lvl and you need to have what ever it is it needs to be cast. so make sure it is something you can live with for the rest of your game. and there is a trait or feat out there that does allow a wizard to read and learn from the alchemist's formula book. came across it in noted it but did not bother to memorize what it was >.<

It doesn't really matter. The individual spell may be useful, but the real point of the discovery is that it opens up crafting feats.

And Arcane Strike. I love Arcane Strike.

Apparently the Promethean Alchemist from Occult Adventures will be able to craft without this feat.