Some suggestions for Factotum

[behemoth]

We are starting up a new campaign and I wanted to play a Factotum (New core class featured in Dungeonscape) They have some pretty cool abilities that focus on skills, their intelligence scores and inspiration points. (A pool of points that they get for each encounter that they can use to enhance their abilities...add Int bonus to save or damage for instance, adding Int bonus to AC, etc.)

One of their abilities allows them to cast spells from the Wizard/Sorceror list as spell-like abilities. They have access to all spells, but they have the following limitiations:
1. Must choose them at teh beginning of the day
2. Cannot memorize more than one instance of a particular spell
3. Can only have 1 spell memorized of their highest available level, the rest can be made up of any combination of lower level spells.
4. They have to spend an inspiration point to cast them, so they effectively can only be cast within an encounter.

Inspiration Points: 2 points to spend at 1st level, 3 to spend at 2nd level, 4 to spend at 5th level, 5 to spend at 8th, 6 at 11th, 7 at 14th, 8 at 17th, and 10 at 20th

Casting Spells:
Arcane Dilettante (Sp): At 2nd level, you acquire a vague understanding of magic. You know that with a few weird hand gestures and an array of grunts and bizzare words, you can conjure up something that looks like a spell. By spending 1 inspiration point, you can mimic a spell as a spell-like ability.

At the start of each day, choose a number of spells from the sorceror/wizard list based on your factotum level (1 spell at 2nd level, 2 at 4th, 3 at 7th, 4 at 9th, 5 at 12th level, 6 at 14th, 7 at 17th, and 8 at 20th level). The maximum spell level you can use, according to your class level, is also shown on the table (0 level spells at 2nd, 1st level spells at 3rd, 2nd level at 5th, 3rd level at 8th, 4th level at 10th, 5th level at 13th, 6th level at15th, and 7th level at 18th). You can select any sor/wiz spell up to that level, but you can preapre only one spell of your maximum level. Your caster level equals your factotum level. The DC is 10 + spell level + Intelligence modifier.

Once you have used a spell, you cannot prepare again until rested for 8 hours. After this time, you can choose new spells and lose unused spells from previous day. Cannot prepare same spell multiple times to use it more than once in the same day. Cannot use spells that have an XP cost and must provide for material components of the spell. You can enhance spells with metamagic feats but you must be capable of using a spell of the modified spell's level.

So finally, after all that, here is my issue. The DM is ok with the class, with the exception of the casting ability. The fact that the Factotum would have access to all Wizard/Sorceror spells rubs him the wrong way (as no other class really has that...A Wizard could achieve it if he found all the necessary scrolls and scribed them I guess.)

So I need to come up with an alternative to present him. One that he doesn't find as over-powering.

Suggestions???

[ericthecleric]

So if I read it correctly, at 20th-level they could cast up to 8 spells per day, from their choice of eight spells, because they can't cast a particular spell more than once per day. Right?

How about ONE of the following options:
* Draconic Aura (including bonus) [Dragon Shaman] Rename this ability if you want to lose the “draconic” element; OR
* Rogue Defenses: Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Improved Uncanny Dodge, and Improved Evasion. If this option is taken, Improved Evasion is gained at 10th level. OR
* Warblade Battle Abilities: Clarity, Cunning, Skill, and Mastery (they depend on Intelligence)

Dragon Shaman's from Player's Handbook II, Warblade's from Tome of Battle

[Kelvar Silvermace2]

I can't recommend an alternative, because I really like the Factotum class, and I think they are a bit weaker than many other base classes already. I would recommend discussing it with your DM and looking at it in a different way. Is this ability extremely versatile? No question. That's what the Factotum is all about. But is it overpowering? Hardly. Sure, he can pick any spell of the appropriate level, but look at how many times a day he can cast it. And compare that to a Wizard or Sorcerer of the same level. The Wizard or Sorcerer can do much much more in terms of spells, and rightly so. I think the Factotum is fine as is. Maybe you could suggest playing for a few sessions to see how it works in play? And then possibly scaling it back if your DM thinks it is overpowered?

As a fallback position, perhaps you could agree to limit your spell selection to those in the Player's Handbook? Maybe that represents the generally known spells and stuff from the Spell Compendium is a bit more arcane...err, obscure?

[behemoth]

Kelvar Silvermace wrote:

As a fallback position, perhaps you could agree to limit your spell selection to those in the Player's Handbook? Maybe that represents the generally known spells and stuff from the Spell Compendium is a bit more arcane...err, obscure?

I have discussed this with the DM and the best we can do is agree to disagree :)

I might suggest the 'let's try it and see approach'.

If we do change it, I don't want to replace the casting ability with something totally different, just modify it to something he can live with.

We are already limiting magic to what is in the PHB, with additional spells found during the campaign.

Suggested changess (so far):
1. limited to spells he has seen. Maybe make a Spellcraft check (DC 10 + Spell level?) to add to his list on available spells.
2. Have a fixed list. I can choose my spell when I level and I must stick with it. (Changing it when leveling up)
3. Have the PC make a UMD device check to cast the spell.

Any other thoughts on these?
My thoughts:
1. I like the flavour of this, and it would take a while to build up my spell list,
2. I don't like this one...I think it severely limits this ability to change on a daily basis.
3. SImilar to number one, but I can see this as being less liked by the DM, as once I hit mid levels (and UMD will be maxed out), the check would pretty much be a given. i.e. Level 10, my UMD would by 15 (13 ranks + Cha bonus). I can cast 1 4th level spell and 3 spells of lower levels. If the DC was 15 plus spell level, I would succeed on a 4 or less.

Thanks!