Esoteric Magic (Ex): At each class level beyond 1st, the
Pathfinder savant chooses a spell from any class’s spell list
and thereafter treats it as if it were on the spell list of his base
spellcasting classes; if his base class could not normally cast that
spell, it is treated as 1 level higher.
Is there a point to the line "if his base class could not normally cast that spell"?
I think it allows arcane (or divine) casters to cast spells from the "other side", as it were. Kind of like a more subtle Mystic Theurge power.
Well, I suppose that would allow a sorcerer to pick up Haste from the summoner's spell list as a 2nd level spell.
Hmm...interesting interpretation...but potentially controversial?
Esoteric Magic (Ex): At each class level beyond 1st, the
Pathfinder savant chooses a spell from any class’s spell list
and thereafter treats it as if it were on the spell list of his base
spellcasting classes; if his base class could not normally cast that
spell, it is treated as 1 level higher.Is there a point to the line "if his base class could not normally cast that spell"?
Presumably it's to balance the ability to add a spell unique to another class to your spell list.
Presumably it's to balance the ability to add a spell unique to another class to your spell list.Esoteric Magic (Ex): At each class level beyond 1st, the
Pathfinder savant chooses a spell from any class’s spell list
and thereafter treats it as if it were on the spell list of his base
spellcasting classes; if his base class could not normally cast that
spell, it is treated as 1 level higher.Is there a point to the line "if his base class could not normally cast that spell"?
Yes, that is CLEARLY the main use of the ability. The question though is why is there a need to specify that the +1 spell level applies only "if his base class could not normally cast that spell", if it's meant to be used to add spells from another spell list to your own?
Gjorjbond suggested an interesting interpretation and potential alternate use though.
I can't conceive of a situation under current rules where the 'it is treated as 1 level higher' would not apply.
It's possible if you had a class that built its spell *list* from a set of spells, it could apply, so I won't say that it could never apply in the future.
i.e. if a class had a feature that said "Choose x spells from the Wizard/Sorcerer Spell list. These spells comprise your spell list (limiting what wands you can use, etc.)", then the *class* might be able to cast the spell, but it would not be on the individual's list. (This would be kind of a spell list version of how the Expert class chooses class skills).
I doubt the line was put in for future compatibility (though I could be wrong), so I suspect it was just an editing error.
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Well, I suppose that would allow a sorcerer to pick up Haste from the summoner's spell list as a 2nd level spell.Hmm...interesting interpretation...but potentially controversial?
The only reason I can see that they'd specifically call it out as increasing the level in that circumstance is if it doesn't increase the level when that circumstance doesn't apply.
What book is that from?
EDIT Nevermind - misread it.
Presumably it's to balance the ability to add a spell unique to another class to your spell list.Esoteric Magic (Ex): At each class level beyond 1st, the
Pathfinder savant chooses a spell from any class’s spell list
and thereafter treats it as if it were on the spell list of his base
spellcasting classes; if his base class could not normally cast that
spell, it is treated as 1 level higher.Is there a point to the line "if his base class could not normally cast that spell"?
Yes, that is CLEARLY the main use of the ability. The question though is why is there a need to specify that the +1 spell level applies only "if his base class could not normally cast that spell", if it's meant to be used to add spells from another spell list to your own?
Gjorjbond suggested an interesting interpretation and potential alternate use though.
There is probably a wording issue that results from mid-way editing. I imagine the intent was to allow casters with limited spells known, like Sorcerers, to add another spell to spells known, but ended up with something getting changed and the whole thing not getting edited for it.
Having played the class I can tell you hiw I used the ability.
It gave my wizard the ability to add Paladin and cleric spells to my spell list. This came in very handy. Admittedly I had to wait until my next level to actually learn the spells and add them to my book, and the level tax meant I had to carefully consider the oppertunity cost for memorizing the spell. But ther are some very nice Palladin, Ranger, Cleric, Bard, Summoner, Witch spells that a wizard can get in no other way. I think the level tax is quite appropriate, it keeps the savant from casting the esoteric spells with the same ease and facility as a member of the class you swiped the spell from could.
Think of a high level wizard able to cast raise dead by using the bonded item ability on the cleric after a near TPK and you get the idea.