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I was casually re-reading Treantmonk's Guide to the Wizard, and I am always struck by how useful it is (and it happens to be very entertaining too, which is quite remarkable for what one would expect to be a very dry "user manual").
So now I am left wondering: Treantmonk, what would take you to update your Wizard's Guide with the new spells and feats from the Advanced Player's Handbook?
Would flattery be enough? :D
T.
Treantmonks guides are written in a way that forces the readers to do a little thinking by themselves - an update for the other guides that takes regard to class variants would be of some use (like using the arcane duelist variant for the archer bard) but come on, I bet you´re intelligent enough to analyze the new spells for yourself.
Treantmonk didn´t even gave advice in respect to multiclassing or taking prestige classes - a good guide doesn´t think for the reader, it teaches the reader how to think. I like treantmonks guides for that reason.
Treantmonks guides are written in a way that forces the readers to do a little thinking by themselves - an update for the other guides that takes regard to class variants would be of some use (like using the arcane duelist variant for the archer bard) but come on, I bet you´re intelligent enough to analyze the new spells for yourself.
Treantmonk didn´t even gave advice in respect to multiclassing or taking prestige classes - a good guide doesn´t think for the reader, it teaches the reader how to think. I like treantmonks guides for that reason.
Unfortunately, the arcane duelist archer doesn't work unless you don't plan on casting many spells. Bows use two hands for the arcane bond, leaving none free to cast.
You only need to hold it (a bonded bow) in one hand to cast spells, to fire the bow takes 2 hands.
"If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded."
Emphasis mine. A two handed weapon that isn't held in two hands isn't 'wielded'.
I'm pretty sure a wizard with a bonded staff can cast while 'weilding' it- although it is a two-handed weapon. Bow should be just fine.
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You only need to hold it (a bonded bow) in one hand to cast spells, to fire the bow takes 2 hands."If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded."
Emphasis mine. A two handed weapon that isn't held in two hands isn't 'wielded'.
You ever see a bow in use? You NEVER hold it in 2 hands. You hold it in 1 and use the other to help notch the arrow, thus it is 2 handed weapon to fire, yet 1 to wield. One hand is always free when you are not firing.
You only need to hold it (a bonded bow) in one hand to cast spells, to fire the bow takes 2 hands."If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded."
Emphasis mine. A two handed weapon that isn't held in two hands isn't 'wielded'.
You ever see a bow in use? You NEVER hold it in 2 hands. You hold it in 1 and use the other to help notch the arrow, thus it is 2 handed weapon to fire, yet 1 to wield. One hand is always free when you are not firing.
Hey, don't yell at me, I didn't write any of the rules :p
No yelling involved...the capitols were for emphasis, and I used no exclamation points.
I'm not going to get into a discussion about the meaning of common english phrases, or how you fire a bow. We were just having a bit of fun at the expense of the silly bonded item writeup. :(
I would like to take this moment to apologize to the Arcane Bond entry. Any slight, perceived or otherwise, was entirely unintended and does not represent the views or attitudes of anyone at the Church of Errata.
I generally imply for the purposes of regular casting is that the item in question needs to be in hand. i.e. You can hold a staff with one hand and then cast with another since the Wizard isn't a Magus who's trying to strike and spell at the same time. Simmilarly with a bow, you'd be holding it in one hand and casting with another, (obviously not shooting with it in the same round, unless you're an Arcane Archer)
I would (and do) do the same.
It's like the gnome/kobold issue in 3e. You can fix it easy, but it's still kinda funny.
Unfortunately, the arcane duelist archer doesn't work unless you don't plan on casting many spells. Bows use two hands for the arcane bond, leaving none free to cast.
That was an example. It doesn´t matter if you can use a bow as a bonded item or not, it´s not important if you can build an arcane duelist archer, that´s just not the topic.
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You only need to hold it (a bonded bow) in one hand to cast spells, to fire the bow takes 2 hands."If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded."
Emphasis mine. A two handed weapon that isn't held in two hands isn't 'wielded'.
Yeah, no. I'm calling shenanigans here. It doesn't matter what the book says regarding the precise definition of "wielding", a wizard with a Staff (or greatsword or bow or etc) bonded item can cast spells without penalty.
If they can't cast unless they are "wielding" the two-handed whatever, and "wielding" takes two hands, and they also need one hand free to cast spells, then how do they cast?
For that matter, how does a Fighter with a Greatsword drink a potion, if he can't switch to one hand for the pair of move actions it takes to "draw" and "use" the item?
At some point, common sense has to kick in. At some point, artistic license and "having fun" overrides the rules.
Despite the fact that technically according to the rules you are 100% correct, your interpretation is still wrong, and saying otherwise is either being a jerk (at the table) or trolling (on the forums).
You aren't funny, you aren't clever, and you certainly aren't the first person to notice this. Your just the only person to actually consider it relevant. It's annoying. Please stop.
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ON topic, I agree with the previous posters - treantmonk writes for the classes he knows and likes, and only when the inspiration strikes him. His guides are good enough that they don't really need updating - he explains why the various choices in the Core book are good or bad, so it teaches you how to evaluate the new options.
They don't need updated for the APG and Bestiary 2. They won't need updating after Ultimate Magic and Ultimate Combat. They teach you how to think about your choices and how to compare different abilities - they update themselves.
Despite the fact that technically according to the rules you are 100% correct, your interpretation is still wrong, and saying otherwise is either being a jerk (at the table) or trolling (on the forums).
Excuse me?
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Excuse me?
Despite the fact that technically according to the rules you are 100% correct, your interpretation is still wrong, and saying otherwise is either being a jerk (at the table) or trolling (on the forums).
Yes, I am saying that repeatedly pointing out that wizards with a Staff, Bow, or similiar item can't cast spells - which is completely, 100% accurate, according to the RAW - is trolling.
It's really freaking annoying. No one cares.
I've got a whole big rant that I could post here, but that'd just be feeding the trolls. So please, cut it out already.
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but come on, I bet you´re intelligent enough to analyze the new spells for yourself.
Maybe. But I am lazy! Never underestimate laziness. :P
And moreover, I have a lot of fun reading Treantmonk's scathing critique of the least useful spells (i.e. the red color-coded ones).
I bet everyone can easily see that haste or fly are far better choices than gentle repose and secret page. But then reading things like
Gentle Repose: Works exactly as advertised. If you've got use for that, then this is better than I've rated it.
Sepia Snake Sigil: Prevent others from reading your stuff. If that's a problem.
Illusory Script: Give your sepia snake sigil company, and make your books really hard to read. Hooray.
Secret Page: Why do they keep reading my stuff? Mix this with Sepia Snake Sigil and Illusionary Script and your diary is really, really safe.
makes me chuckle every time.
And now that I think about it, I would already be happy if he could review just the red spells and feats in the APG. :)
And moreover, I have a lot of fun reading Treantmonk's scathing critique of the least useful spells (i.e. the red color-coded ones).I bet everyone can easily see that haste or fly are far better choices than gentle repose and secret page. But then reading things like
Gentle Repose: Works exactly as advertised. If you've got use for that, then this is better than I've rated it.
Sepia Snake Sigil: Prevent others from reading your stuff. If that's a problem.
Illusory Script: Give your sepia snake sigil company, and make your books really hard to read. Hooray.
Secret Page: Why do they keep reading my stuff? Mix this with Sepia Snake Sigil and Illusionary Script and your diary is really, really safe.
makes me chuckle every time.
And now that I think about it, I would already be happy if he could review just the red spells and feats in the APG. :)
Me too.
Maybe. But I am lazy! Never underestimate laziness. :P
Me too.
You only need to hold it (a bonded bow) in one hand to cast spells, to fire the bow takes 2 hands."If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be wielded."
Emphasis mine. A two handed weapon that isn't held in two hands isn't 'wielded'.
That may be the most pedantic post of the year. Granted, it's only February but I can't imagine what would top that.