Does a rogue with the Minor Magic talent qualify for the Arcane Strike feat? Why or why not?
The rogue special ability states both that the rogue "gains the ability to cast" a spell of either 0 or 1st level (depending on the ability), and that this is a spell-like ability (which are used, not cast). So the description of the ability is vague and should be cleaned up. My suspiscion is that if/when it IS fixed, the rogue will not be "casting" spells, and therefore, as written, not qualify for the feat. But I don't think house ruling it the other way is going to break anything.
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The idea in my head for a rogue's minor magical ability is similar to, but more limited than, the spell-casting of, say, a bard or a ranger. "Spell-like abilities" strike me as, generally speaking, either racial traitsor, like the monk, super-powers.
Now, that raises the question: since the rogue has this ability as a class feature, whether she chooses to learn it or not, can every rogue take "arcane strike", the same way that a wizard who's lost his spellbook could?
I can see pro's and con's for both sides so: Ask your DM.
An excellent answer for home games.
Guys, c'mon.
The rules for spell-like abilities are well established. Rogues can't (nor can anyone else) use them to qualify as spell casting. Nor can a given spell be used as a spell-trigger item.
The rogue is not casting a spell. The rogue is using an ability that happens to perfectly mimic a spell effect.
-S
Can they qualify? I tend to agree with SirUrza but I can see a DM ruling otherwise. Is it really worth it for a rogue? I can think of a lot of feats I would take before taking this. Plus you have to invest in 2 rogue tricks to even qualify.
The payoff is only +1 damage, +2 at 10th level and +3 at 20th (using the revised version which Jason said would be in the beta). Rogues are generally decent at dealing damage, I don't see this as a worthwhile investment in a feat.
Is it really worth it for a rogue?Nope, I'd rather start the game with a +9 in Stealth by taking other feats at level 1 and then using talents for the combat feats I'd normally take. :)
Well you couldn't take it until level 3 anyways because you would need minor magic to get it. Regardless... +1 damage is not a good bang for the feat buck. Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus, Spring Attack, Wind Stance, all would rate much higher in my book.
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Well you couldn't take it until level 3 anyways because you would need minor magic to get it. Regardless... +1 damage is not a good bang for the feat buck. Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Focus, Spring Attack, Wind Stance, all would rate much higher in my book.
I'd still not be taking it a level 3 even if the combo was viable....
Skill Focus: Stealth
Stealthy
Talent: Weapon Finesse
Weapon Focus
.. is the order of feats I'd be taking (assuming I'm human.)
I'd still not be taking it a level 3 even if the combo was viable....
Skill Focus: Stealth
Stealthy
Talent: Weapon Finesse
Weapon Focus
Heh... me it's:
1st: Dodge and Mobility (get into flanking position quick with no AoOs)2nd: Talent: Weapon Finesse
3rd: Weapon Focus
4th: Talent: Bleeding <-- much more damage than arcane strike
5th: Improved Initiative
I'm not sure what my third rogue talent will be though.
Two weapon fighting rogues are even more feat constrained. I can't see giving either talent up to take minor magic so I could get arcane strike.
I can see pro's and con's for both sides so: Ask your DM
I am the DM. :) I was leaning towards disallowing it myself, because the feat is clearly meant for full casters and because an SLA is not technically a spell, let alone an arcane/divine/whatever spell. But it's nice to have the backup. :)