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So, what can a spell caster with a casting stat less than 10 do? Obviously, they can't learn or cast spells, but what abilities do they retain? Can a wizard with a 9 Int have a familiar or arcane bond? Can a bard with a 5 Charisma use a wand of cure light wounds? Can a sorcerer who can't cast spells because of a low Charisma qualify for arcane strike? The idea of minimum "prime requisites" is gone, alas, but with spell casters the line is blurry about what they get at ridiculously low ability scores.
(My question is for PFS, if that matters, and mostly concerns non-spell casters who are considering a dip into a caster class...)
Can a wizard with a 9 Int have a familiar or arcane bond?
Sure, I don't believe there is anything preventing that. But if the wizard can't cast spells then that could make the bonded object useless.
Can a bard with a 5 Charisma use a wand of cure light wounds?
Yes, I believe so. The only requirement to use a wand without needing UMD is to have the spell on your spell list
Can a sorcerer who can't cast spells because of a low Charisma qualify for arcane strike?
That's a bit iffy depending on your definition of "ability to cast arcane spells". But I think your caster stat (cha in this case) would need to be high enough to be able to cast spells of at least 1st lv. Because if you can not cast arcane spells, where are you getting the arcane energy to use arcane strike?
Hey Scott lol.
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Incidentally, an Int 9 Wizard can still use wands, staffs, and other items that require him to be a wizard or have a spell on his spell list, and (AFAIK) can still learn and prepare spells, though they cannot cast them. An Int 9 Wizard can collect and catalog spells in his spellbook, prepare them (and create magic items by expending those spells), and use wands and staffs, but cannot actually cast any spells himself.
Incidentally, I had an NPC like this once. He was a "librarian" in a wizard college who was quite familiar with how magic was supposed to work (and could answer most questions about magic due to his knowledge and spellcraft skills), knew his way around a wand, and spent most of his free time copying spells for other people, and making minor magical items such as scrolls, pre-stocked spellbooks, and stuff like that.
He made his living with Profession (Clerk) which is Wisdom based. Despite his 9 Int, he had a pretty nice Wisdom and Charisma. He lacked the aptitude to actually control and manipulate a wizard spell on his own, even if he had taken the courses and learned enough to do the other stuff.
Stop being awesome Ashiel.
*steals NPC*
Aw, do I have to? ^.^"
Does this mean Rincewind is a wizard with an Int of 9 or lower? That's nifty.
I think wands might require a check to be rolled if your stat is too low, but I'm not sure.
No, only if you're using a scroll or UMD.
Aw, do I have to? ^.^"Stop being awesome Ashiel.
*steals NPC*
No, but you might wanna invest in a cookie safe. -gives another cookie and saunters off with that NPC-
I dunno, I always thought it physically impossible. :D
You're going to inflate my Ego. ^-^"
No, but you might wanna invest in a cookie safe. -gives another cookie and saunters off with that NPC-
Heehee, thanks. But why make a cookie safe when I can share cookies with everyone! *places cookie platter on the table*
Fine on most of those. I would say no on the sorcerer on arcane strike. It states you need "The ability to cast arcane spells" with a stat under 10, you do not have the ability to cast arcane spells, no matter how hard you try.
I think "ability" refers to class feature or other feature that would allow it.
As an example:
Order Abilities: A cavalier that belongs to the order of the dragon gains the following abilities as he increases in level.
Arcane Strike effects seems to be based on caster level and thus can be safely used by character with any ability score.
The ability score of 10+spell level is required to "learn, prepare or cast" so without required ability score Wizard cannot add spell to spell book or prepare it - preventing fulfilling item creation prerequisites. Clerics and Sorcerers are subject to the same limitation with corrections for their method of casting (prepare or cast in case of Clerics who don't learn spells or learn and cast in case of Sorcerers who do not prepare spells). I assume that other classes follow those rules.
Still, low ability score caster can create most items by increasing craft DC, except item types that prevent that option (regretful making Int 9 Wizard's Scribe Scroll feat completely useless). All crafting skills are Intelligence-based making low Int Wizard rather poor item crafter. High Intelligence, low Wisdom/low Charisma cleric/sorcerer, on the other hand, can be quite decent as item crafter with correct choice of feats and skills. Especially while being half-elf with Skill Focus (spellcraft).
Using scrolls is generally out as they require the same ability score as corresponding spell, but this can be overcome with high Use Magic Device check.
Using wands and staves is fine. Recharging staves would allow the character to do something with their spare slots per day but the character must be capable of casting at least one spell contained in the staff.
Does this mean Rincewind is a wizard with an Int of 9 or lower? That's nifty.
Naw. Rincewind's got to be a genius (or maybe idiot savant is closer) since he's got something on the order of a level 15 spell stuck in his head that won't let any of those low level spells in.
{ Spells get pretty snobbish in their teens don'tcha know. }