Saving the Unversalist

[Ellington]

With the advent of Pathfinder, wizards could finally cast spells from opposed schools, although with a penalty. The universalist, a somewhat dodgy choice before Pathfinder, became almost completely unviable, since giving up an extra spell every level to be able to cast opposed spells for only one slot, is like Treantmonk put it so well: "a practice in masochism". Now that Ultimate Magic is on the way, this can finally be remedied. But how?

Well, the Universalist didn't get any subschools in the Advanced Player's Guide, which is understandable, but giving them at alternative to their already decent school abilities could still be a good idea. This would need to be something that allows them make up for their reduced spellcasting without becoming too powerful. Here's my take:

Replacement Power: The following school power replaces the metamagic mastery power of the universal school.

Improved Arcane Bond (Su): At 8th level, your arcane bond is strengthened. The effect is different depending on whether you chose a familiar or a bonded item.

If your arcane bond is a bonded item, you can spontaneously cast another spell per day per day, even if the spell is not prepared. This spell must be of a level at least two levels lower than your maximum spell level. At 16th level, you may use this ability an additional time, but for this use the spell must be of a level at least four levels lower than your maximum spell level.

If your arcane bond is a familiar, your familiar gains minor spellcasting abilities. Once per day, your familiar may spontaneously cast a spell which it has seen you cast that day, using your level as its caster level. This spell must be of a level at least two levels lower than your maximum spell level.

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Something along those lines would massively benefit the universalist and make it a choice worth considering.

[Malagant]

Ellington wrote:

With the advent of Pathfinder, wizards could finally cast spells from opposed schools, although with a penalty. The universalist, a somewhat dodgy choice before Pathfinder, became almost completely unviable, since giving up an extra spell every level to be able to cast opposed spells for only one slot, is like Treantmonk put it so well: "a practice in masochism". Now that Ultimate Magic is on the way, this can finally be remedied. But how?

*snip*

I think you are on to something here but may I suggest another way to fix the universalist? Let us fix Hand of the Apprentice...

Current form...

Spoiler:

Hand of the Apprentice (Su): You cause your melee weapon to fly from your grasp and strike a foe before instantly returning to you. As a standard action, you can make a single attack using a melee weapon at a range of 30 feet. This attack is treated as a ranged attack with a thrown weapon, except that you add your Intelligence modifier on the attack roll instead of your Dexterity modifier (damage still relies on
Strength). This ability cannot be used to perform a combat maneuver. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.

This would change to...

Spoiler:

Hand of the Apprentice (Su): You cause your melee weapon to fly from your grasp and strike a foe before instantly returning to you. As a standard action, you can make a single attack using a melee weapon at a range of 30 feet. This attack is treated as a ranged attack with a thrown weapon, except that you add your Intelligence modifier on the attack roll instead of your Dexterity modifier, which does not add damage due to strength. This attack does +1 damage per two wizard levels of the caster. This ability cannot be used to perform a combat maneuver. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.

To me, this brings the ability in line with the other specialties abilities.

Metamagic Mastery (Su): This seems fine to me except maybe increase the number of uses per day?

However, also add (sorry Ellington, did a partial copy/paste here)...

Improved Arcane Bond (Su): At 5th level, your arcane bond is strengthened. The effect is different depending on whether you chose a familiar or a bonded item.

Familiar: Gain Improved Familiar as a bonus feat.
Bonded Object: Reduce the penalty on the concentration check to cast a spell for losing a bonded object by one half your wizard level. Also, gain one additional bonus spontaneous spell per day.

As wizards who did not neglect any part of their magical education, universalists should shine at least as brightly as some of the other specialties and have a small edge in at least one distinct area.