Craft Cheese wrote:
Just had an idea about how to fix the flavor problem. Ditch the spellbook. Remove their ability to learn from scrolls.
Instead, Arcanists represent rare individuals to whom arcane magic "sticks". They have an aura of crackling, swirling spell energy that constantly surrounds them. They study magic not through formulas and books, but by learning to tamper with their aura directly. They prepare their spells for the day by taking individual spells in their aura and "grabbing" them, becoming able to control when and how the energy is released.
They add two spells of a level they can cast to their aura each time they gain a level. When they are affected by an arcane spell they don't know (even if they succeed on their saving throw for the spell), they add the spell to their aura if they succeed at a will save with a DC equal to 15 + twice the spell's unmodified level.
You can also add an option for arcanists to craft "spell crystals" that other arcanists can use to add the spell to their aura.
Thoughts?
Rynjin wrote:
I think you're the only one so far who thinks there's a "flavor problem".
Though I'll admit, having a Blue Mage in Pathfinder would be pretty damn cool.
Scavion wrote:
That'd make learning offensive spells pretty brutal outside of the ones you get from leveling up. The first thought that popped into my head was paying a Wizard to cast stuff at you to learn spells.
Iâ wrote:
Alright Wizard, I want you to toss a Fireball at me so I can add it to my aura. Got it? Alright... HIT ME!
Prince of Knives wrote:
Read that again and tell me - is that not The Best Thing Ever? Because I'd play that character. Admittedly I'd play that as a high-Cha abysmal Wis character with severe mental damage and a death wish but I'd still play that character and it would be funny, and it would be terrifying.
JtutterBush wrote:
"So, wait. You want to pay me..."
"Yup."
"To cast a bunch of spells..."
"Yup."
"To set you on fire, encase you in ice, then bury you miles underground?"
"Yup!"
I love it.
I've really been hoping to see a talent (exploit now, I guess) that lets you spend an arcane point when you're affected by a spell to replace one of your spells prepared with that spell. So if I get hit with Scorching Ray, I can spend an arcane point to drop my prepared Knock and have Scorching Ray prepared in its place.
Maybe even an advanced exploit to let you prep non-Arcanist spells at a level higher. You couldn't write them into your spellbook, of course, and maybe they un-prepare themselves the next time you prepare spells/recover spell slots.
Still, some blue-mage style effects would be pretty fun, even if they're only temporary.
ZanThrax wrote:
It might make for an interesting archetype. Learning save-or-die spells would be pretty risky though.
Rynjin wrote:
I will say I lie Cheese' idea but man learning spells like Disintegrate and Finger of Death would be interesting.
Yeah I know, "spell crystals" but think about it...for an Arcanist to have crafted one he had to have known the spell, right? So how did he learn it...I can just imagine he had his Cleric buddy on hand ready to cast Breath of Life or Resurrection at a moment's notice.]
MrSin wrote:
Somewhere out there a black mage is cheering with great joy at this idea...
Scavion wrote:
AHA SO BREATH OF LIFE DOES BRING BACK DISINTEGRATED FOLKS! Ah hehe just kidding.
I love the idea too, but it'd end with too many Arcanists getting obliterated at high levels heh.
