I am considering taking a few levels of Archmage for a wizard that I'm currently playing in our current weekly game. One of my fellow gamers is of the opinion that he recalls that there's a game rule that allows you to somehow take feats in place of class features, though he can't seem to find the rule and I can't remember ever reading anything similar.
Anyone have a clue what he's talking about?
That's correct, there is no longer an Archmage PrC in Pathfinder. Wizards have been buffed to be that awesome as a baseline thing. Bonus feats ARE a Wizard class feature. Though if you look at Ultimate Magic, you gain the option of taking some class feature replacements for those bonus feats.
That's correct, there is no longer an Archmage PrC in Pathfinder. Wizards have been buffed to be that awesome as a baseline thing. Bonus feats ARE a Wizard class feature. Though if you look at Ultimate Magic, you gain the option of taking some class feature replacements for those bonus feats.
As SunsetPsychosis wrote there is no Archmage class in Pathfinder. And confusion may come from the fact that some of the Archmage features were turned into feats: Arcane Blast and Arcane Shield for arcane casters f 10th or higher level. Reach Spell just became metamagic feat available to everyone. I think that some other abilities also made such transition.
I am aware that Archmage is not a PrC listed in the pathfinder books, however, as Pathfinder is 3.5 compatible, it is a valid option.
I apologize that I was not more clear that I was referring to 3.5 sources.
My friend has been quite adamant that he recalls being able to replace a class feature, such as the High Arcana from Archmage, and replace it with a feat selection, not the other way around.
That must have been a house rule. I can't recall any way to replace class features with feats in 3.5.
There were a few class features which specifically said you could choose feats instead (such as the Rogue's "special ability" class feature), but no generic rule.
I do believe the Archmage could take metamagic or item creation feats whenever he could take a High Arcana
I do believe the Archmage could take metamagic or item creation feats whenever he could take a High Arcana
Neither the 3.5 version nor the 3.0 Forgotten Realms version had any such ability.
I am aware that Archmage is not a PrC listed in the pathfinder books, however, as Pathfinder is 3.5 compatible, it is a valid option.
I apologize that I was not more clear that I was referring to 3.5 sources.
My friend has been quite adamant that he recalls being able to replace a class feature, such as the High Arcana from Archmage, and replace it with a feat selection, not the other way around.
Why in Seven Hells would you want to. The class requires several feats to qualify for it, and requires the permanent loss of spell slots to gain the High Arcana. All the High Arcana are much more valuable than feats.
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Why in Seven Hells would you want to. The class requires several feats to qualify for it, and requires the permanent loss of spell slots to gain the High Arcana. All the High Arcana are much more valuable than feats.I am aware that Archmage is not a PrC listed in the pathfinder books, however, as Pathfinder is 3.5 compatible, it is a valid option.
I apologize that I was not more clear that I was referring to 3.5 sources.
My friend has been quite adamant that he recalls being able to replace a class feature, such as the High Arcana from Archmage, and replace it with a feat selection, not the other way around.
What you are referring to is the original version on Sean K. Reynolds website. The heirophant had an ability like that too.
What you are referring to is the original version on Sean K. Reynolds website. The heirophant had an ability like that too.Why in Seven Hells would you want to. The class requires several feats to qualify for it, and requires the permanent loss of spell slots to gain the High Arcana. All the High Arcana are much more valuable than feats.I am aware that Archmage is not a PrC listed in the pathfinder books, however, as Pathfinder is 3.5 compatible, it is a valid option.
I apologize that I was not more clear that I was referring to 3.5 sources.
My friend has been quite adamant that he recalls being able to replace a class feature, such as the High Arcana from Archmage, and replace it with a feat selection, not the other way around.
Just so we're clear, I believe Jarazix is speaking to what Nostagar wrote. Because I am referring to the 3.5 DMG Archmage.
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If you don't want to import the Archmage PrC into PF, here are the relevant feats that replace what the Archmage could do.
Archmage Ability -> Pathfinder Feat
Arcane Fire -> Arcane Blast
Arcane Reach -> Reach Spell Metamagic
Mastery of Counterspelling -> Parry Spell
Mastery of Shaping -> Selective Spell Metamagic
Mastery of Elements -> Elemental Spell Metamagic
Archmage Ability -> Pathfinder Feat
Arcane Fire -> Arcane Blast
Arcane Reach -> Reach Spell Metamagic
Mastery of Counterspelling -> Parry Spell
Mastery of Shaping -> Selective Spell Metamagic
Mastery of Elements -> Elemental Spell Metamagic
Down side with Elemental Spell is that you need to take it four times to get the same effect as Mastery of Elements, the most important reason to take the PrC.
There's also Spell Power, which adds +1 to the caster level, and Spell Like Ability, which is the second most important reason to take the PrC.
I don't think that there's a feat replacement for Spell Power, though I believe that there are feats that allow you to get up to your level.
I have been looking, but I haven't found a feat that will allow you to take a spell as a spell like ability.
While worthy of a discussion on its own merits, it has nothing to do with my reason for posting.
Again, what I'm looking for is a rule somewhere that allows you to take a class feature that you are not interested in and replace it with a feat. I don't think it exists, but my friend is adamant that it does.
The downside of using the metamagic alternatives to the original High Arcana is that the metamagic must be applied specifically when preparing a spell and it also forces that spell into a higher level spell slot (usually). On the other hand (IIRC), the High Arcana can be applied on the fly without changing the original spell's level - which is incredibly useful for a wizard.