Just noticed this- noob question

[theveggiejerk]

So I'm suffering from insomnia and was looking at the pathfinder ogc site and am wondering why a magus (or any book user for that matter) would go prestige? Here's what led me to this question:
FAQ
Does a wizard (or other character that uses a spellbook), receive bonus spells to add to his spellbook when he gains a level in a prestige class that grants an increase to spellcasting?No. The increase to his spellcasting level does not grant any other benefits, except for spells per day, spells known (for spontaneous casters), and an increase to his overall caster level. He must spend time and gold to add new spells to his spellbook.?Jason Bulmahn (11/24/10)

So if I were to do the whole magus 10/EK10 build I keep seeing, I'd have 2 4th level spells in my bookthen I'd have to find and pay to put more spells in. I did some math and compared it to a 19th level magus who got spells for free. the cost to put the spells in your book is 5020gp (4 4th level spells, 6 5th level spells and 8 6th level spells)

[theveggiejerk]

stupid character limits!!! ok where was I? ok so 5020gp is just ink! then you have to actually find said spells. If you go the scroll route then there's another 22750gp! If you're gaming in a world where magic/money is scarce or worse, you're screwed!

[Nigrescence]

theveggiejerk wrote:

So if I were to do the whole magus 10/EK10 build I keep seeing, I'd have 2 4th level spells in my bookthen I'd have to find and pay to put more spells in. I did some math and compared it to a 19th level magus who got spells for free. the cost to put the spells in your book is 5020gp (4 4th level spells, 6 5th level spells and 8 6th level spells)

Well, here's a workaround for that which gives you the spells on a new spell level for free and lets you do Magus 10 / Eldritch Knight 10.

Stagger the levels. Level up the Magus when the +1 CL would give you the next level of spells, so you at least get spells of the next level that you can now cast. Otherwise, level up the Eldritch Knight. Sure, you don't get as many free spells as a Magus, but if you really want that Prestige Class, this is one way to do it while maintaining at least the spells you get for a new spell level on leveling.

[Bruno Kristensen]

I'd house rule this without question. If a sorcerer gains new spells when he takes a level in EK, then surely a wizard should too.

[JaceDK]

Bruno Kristensen wrote:

I'd house rule this without question. If a sorcerer gains new spells when he takes a level in EK, then surely a wizard should too.

+1.

[BobChuck]

It's not denying the Magus/Wizard/Witch new spells. It's denying them 50 free gold.

Being able to add as many spells to their spellbook as they want is one of the biggest advantages they have. I don't know about the wizards you're playing, but I try to have spells pre-scribed or on scrolls ready to add, complete with enough super-expensive ink already set aside for them - and that's for my straight-class wizards, because just two spells isn't anywhere near enough.

EDIT: It's been about 4 months since my last wizard and there were house rules in effect, so I can't remember if you can add a spell to your spellbook even if you can't cast it yet. The point remains in either case, it's just that one is rather more expensive./EDIT

Saying "you spent your time learning all this new stuff from your prestige class, so you didn't have the time to write down any spells" isn't exactly a crippling restriction in most games. It's annoying, yes, but not a significant problem.

That said, if I were the DM, a PC just leveled up in the middle of the wilderness, and they didn't have a pile of spells (and ink) ready to go, I'd throw them a (one-time) bone of "you actually already did this back in town before you left, go ahead and spend the money". Not getting to use your new toys is annoying.

It's just that Wizards - and all the arcane spell preparers - are supposed to be about planning and strategy: you know you aren't getting the two free spells, so buy five spell's worth of ink and notes instead of three. I don't see a problem.

[KaeYoss]

Yes, it's one of the things I change. The automatic spells wizards and their ilk gain are considered to be a part of "+1 effective spellcaster level".

It's more than just saving a few bucks, it's a free choice you don't have to explicitly spend time on, and which is not automatically subject to restrictions in spell availability. They're important for those casters, since they're the only ones who don't get all spells automatically the way sorcerers (who have a fixed number of spells known) or clerics (who just know all the spells) do.