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I'm a little puzzled at one of the new feats from UM, in context of us having the Preferred Spell feat from the APG. Here are the feats:
You find it very easy to cast one particular spell.
Prerequisites: Spellcraft 5 ranks, Heighten Spell.
Benefit: Choose one spell which you have the ability to cast. You can cast that spell spontaneously by sacrificing a prepared spell or spell slot of equal or higher level. You can apply any metamagic feats you possess to this spell when you cast it. This increases the minimum level of the prepared spell or spell slot you must sacrifice in order to cast it but does not affect the casting time.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a different spell.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Spell Focus, Spell Specialization, able to prepare 5th-level spells.
Benefit: By sacrificing a prepared spell of the same or higher level than your specialized spell, you may spontaneously cast your specialized spell. The specialized spell is treated as its normal level, regardless of the spell slot used to cast it. You may add a metamagic feat to the spell by increasing the spell slot and casting time, just like a cleric spontaneously casting a cure or inflict spell with a metamagic feat.
Spell Specialization
Select one spell. You cast that spell with greater than normal power.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Spell Focus.
Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell.
Every time you gain an even level in the spellcasting class you chose your spell from, you can choose a new spell to replace the spell selected with this feat, and that spell becomes your specialized spell.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a different spell.
To compare:
Both - You can spontaneously cast a spell by sacrificing a spell slot and you may spontaneously add metamagic.
Preferred - 5th level entry, metamagic doesn't increase casting time, Heighten Spell prerequisite (bad feat?)
Greater Spell Specialization - 9th level entry, metamagic increases casting time, Spell Focus, Spell Specialization prerequisites (potentially better?)
Through Spell Specialization, you can change the chosen spell at every even level. Furthermore, I believe (not quite sure, though) Greater Spell Specialization applies to all specialized spells you have, which is kind of a perk. (You can take Spell Specialization multiple times)
Granted, Preferred Spell and Greater Spell Specialization are different. If Preferred Spell didn't exist, it would be a sweet addition, but now it just seems odd. Why rehash a feat that seems to work fine as is?
Yes, Preferred Spell worked, but it was inflexible. Once you picked a preferred spell, you'd never be able to change it. Plus, as you said, Heighten Spell is often a bad, or even dead, feat. I personally enjoy the Specialization chain of feats much more because it allows your character to continue growing. There's no fear of getting locked into a sub-standard spell. Plus, the prereq for the spontaneous casting portion actually improves your spells! It's a really nice package overall.
The biggest downside and difference between the two is the Metamagic increase time. That can actually be quite a big deal.
It was my understanding that ALL spontaneous metamagic use increased casting time, even that from Preferred Spell, unless you had an ability that said otherwise.
I agree -- it seems like a weird duplication of abilities to have both feats.
It was my understanding that ALL spontaneous metamagic use increased casting time, even that from Preferred Spell, unless you had an ability that said otherwise.
Preferred Spell specifically says otherwise:
"This increases the minimum level of the prepared spell or spell slot you must sacrifice in order to cast it but does not affect the casting time."
Why rehash a feat that seems to work fine as is?
+1
This is what I don´t get, does Paizo really the think the game is so much better by having 2 nearly but not quite identical ways to do the same thing? This type of thing just seems to exemplify the phrase ´rules bloat´. Who likes this? Min/maxers, who now can choose whichever approach that most lines up with their tweaking of the rules. If there was a problem with the original, ERRATA IT. If there wasn´t a problem, why do we need a SLIGHTLY different version, with slightly different interactions in optimization strategies? I don´t want to buy books pushing out stuff like this.
Why rehash a feat that seems to work fine as is?+1
This is what I don´t get, does Paizo really the think the game is so much better by having 2 nearly but not quite identical ways to do the same thing? This type of thing just seems to exemplify the phrase ´rules bloat´. Who likes this? Min/maxers, who now can choose whichever approach that most lines up with their tweaking of the rules. If there was a problem with the original, ERRATA IT. If there wasn´t a problem, why do we need a SLIGHTLY different version, with slightly different interactions in optimization strategies? I don´t want to buy books pushing out stuff like this.
My thoughts exactly. I kept on reading it over and over again and I was repeatedly disappointed. Make Greater Spell Specialization do anything else. Increase the saving through, make it better at overcoming SR, decrease the cost of metamagic, (Arcane Thesis? Maybe not quite... More along the lines of Magical Lineage trait?) or permanently apply a 1 adjustment metamagic, (Like Theologian's domain secret) or ANYTHING. A raw bonus is fine. Just don't give us essentially the same feat with a different prerequisite route.
...I'm a min/maxer and I still don't like it. xP
I agree -- it seems like a weird duplication of abilities to have both feats.
It was my understanding that ALL spontaneous metamagic use increased casting time, even that from Preferred Spell, unless you had an ability that said otherwise.Preferred Spell specifically says otherwise:
"This increases the minimum level of the prepared spell or spell slot you must sacrifice in order to cast it but does not affect the casting time."
Huh. Must of missed that.
Furthermore, I believe (not quite sure, though) Greater Spell Specialization applies to all specialized spells you have, which is kind of a perk. (You can take Spell Specialization multiple times)
I'm not sure about this part, but if it is the case, it might be alot better. I'm not really sure it would be
Int 13 could be a problem for anyone who wants it but isn't an Int-caster, sorcerer, bard, clerics etc, Prefered Spell might be the better choice for them
For spontanous casters the biggest reason to take Prefered Spell is most likely the ability to add metamagic without increasing casttime.
SS adds +2 CL, which is nice of course, but GSS doesn't do anything for sponanious casters that they can't already do.
So I'd say GSS line is more for wizards, witches and maybe clerics, PS more for Sorcs, Bards etc.
As for the unflexibility of Prefered Spell, they could just have added the "you can switch the spell every even level" part to it, and probably should add it still.
I'm not sure these are the best solutions to the current GSS, but here's 4 different takes on how I may have considered doing Greater Spell Specialization.
...given I had the great and terrible power of making the rules. Be glad I don't? *shugs*
You are particularly adept in casting a single spell.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Spell Focus, Spell Specialization, able to prepare 5th-level spells.
1st take on GSS: Spell Specialization is the throwaway line of Arcane Thesis (I had to look it up; I forgot it gave a +2 bonus to caster level for variables) So let GSS pick up where SS left off?
Benefit: Choose one spell in which you have the Spell Specialization feat. (Whenever you change the specialized spell, Greater Spell Specialization changes to that spell as well) Reduce the level adjustment of each metamagic you apply to the specialized spell by one. A metamagic can’t have its adjustment reduced below 0. (Better wordsmithing needed?)
2nd Take on GSS: You’re just better at casting this spell.
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus to the saving throw DC, caster level checks made to overcome a creature's spell resistance, and attack rolls you make with the selected spell.
3rd Take on GSS: A little bit of both?
Benefit: Choose one spell in which you have the Spell Specialization feat. (Whenever you change the specialized spell, Greater Spell Specialization changes to that spell as well.) For every metamagic you apply to the specialized spell beyond the first, reduce the final adjusted level by 1.
Example: A Still (+1) Intensified (+1) Empowered (+2) Fireball (3rd level spell) would be reduced by 2 (3 different metamagic, minus 1); a 5th level spell.)
You gain a +1 bonus to the saving throw DC, caster level checks made to overcome a creature's spell resistance, and attack rolls you make with the selected spell.
4th Take on GSS: Permanently apply metamagic.
Benefit: Your Spell Specialization spell is permanently enhanced. Select one of the following metamagic feats: Bouncing Spell, Disruptive Spell, Ectoplasmic Spell, Enlarge Spell, Extend Spell, Focused Spell, Intensified Spell, Silent Spell, Still Spell. This metamagic feat does not increase the level of the spell. You need not have the metamagic feat to apply it to a spell using this feat.
Every time you gain an even level in the spellcasting class you chose your spell from, you can choose a new metamagic to replace the metamagic selected with this feat, and that metamagic is what enhances your specialized spell.
EDIT: Apologies for the constant editing; I like my posts to be readable. ...at least I try? <.<
I just noticed another "why does this exist?" feat from Ultimate Magic -- Extra Cantrips or Orisons. Aside from having the world's clunkiest name, how is this feat more useful than Expanded Arcana? Is there a class that can cast cantrips/orisons but not 1st level spells?
I just noticed another "why does this exist?" feat from Ultimate Magic -- Extra Cantrips or Orisons. Aside from having the world's clunkiest name, how is this feat more useful than Expanded Arcana? Is there a class that can cast cantrips/orisons but not 1st level spells?
There's a trait that lets you learn a single Cantrip, it should work with that. Also I think rogues can learn cantrips.
Several thoughts on this:
1. Since you can have more than one specialized spell and can change up what spell you specialize in each even level greater spell specialization is really nice. Another kick in the balls for the sorcerer since the wizard can now spend feats to have spontaneous casting for whatever spell he wants and change them more often.
Consider a wizard with greater spell specialization and spell specialization five times. He now has five spells he can cast whenever he wants, and when he levels up he may change those spells to keep up with the times. When it comes to top spell level versatile casting the wizard has just completely killed the sorcerer.
2. Prefer spell allows you to spontaneously apply metamagic feats without adjusting casting time -- which greater spell specialization doesn't do. So if you think you'll want to metamagic it and not spend a full turn on it use prefer spell. It is also available sooner (which can be good for lower level NPCs that the GM wants to have a signature spell to switch to).
Yep. If anything, I find Preferred Spell to be much more versatile and useful to most characters (since I can pick several spells from different schools of magic). Not only can I get it earlier, but it doesn't increase casting time (allowing me to get into a better position or take some other worthwhile move action). What's more, its prerequisite feat allows my low level save or screw spells stay relevant far longer (things like hideous laughter are no laughing matter at high levels if the save remains competitive).
All in all, I like both and both have their place. Greater Spell Specialization is better for more focused characters (such as hardcore high damage evokers, mass conjurers, or "ice wizards") that are likely to focus on one school of magic whereas Preferred Spell is better for most any other caster.