Sorcerers of the arcane bloodline get arcane bond as their bloodline arcana. They use the same rules as wizards, but base the familiar's stats off of their sorcerer level (rather than wizard level).
yup.
and arguably, familiar is a stronger choice for arcane BL sorcerors than the bonded item,
since bonded item is just giving more of something you already have (spontaneous casting slot) while familar is totally new (including potential for familar's SLAs via Improved Familiar).
for wizards, familars are also a strong choice, but the bonded item grants them new abilities, namely spontaneous casting from their entire spellbook... reducing the down-side of prepared casting (while retaining their 1/2 spell level advantage).
Yeah, the really interesting part (that doesn't seem to have a firm answer) is what happens when clerics get an arcane bond. :D
- Gauss
Yeah, the really interesting part (that doesn't seem to have a firm answer) is what happens when clerics get an arcane bond. :D
- Gauss
What do you mean?
yup... looks kind of bland at first glance,
but most posters here who seem familiar with the class
consistently rank it amongst the better bloodlines...
besides the familiar, free spells known and DC boost are all gold.
although since the Arcana is rather 'meh' IMHO,
if you plan on using Eldrich Heritage, you can get everything else thru the Feats, on top of another BL.
Cleric takes Eldritch Heritage: Arcane bloodline. They select Arcane Bond. Now, without going into the fine points of the debate that has occured in another thread: Do they get to cast any spell they have access to or is the limit of 'spells known' mean it doesn't work for clerics?
Anyhow, I don't want to threadjack this. I was just pointing out the amusement.
- Gauss
Cleric takes Eldritch Heritage: Arcane bloodline. They select Arcane Bond. Now, without going into the fine points of the debate that has occured in another thread: Do they get to cast any spell they have access to or is the limit of 'spells known' mean it doesn't work for clerics?
Anyhow, I don't want to threadjack this. I was just pointing out the amusement.
- Gauss
Interesting.
It doesn't say spells known in the arcane bond ability, it's says spell in your spell book. You don't have a spell book then you can't use that ability.
A bonded object can be used once per day to cast any one spell that the wizard has in his spellbook and is capable of casting, even if the spell is not prepared.
No spellbook == no casting a spell from it with your arcane bond. IF a wizard knew a spell but it wasn't in his spell book (say because he had spell mastery for it) then he couldn't use his arcane bond to cast it either.
Abraham: Check the Arcane Bond for Sorcerers. The wording is Spells known.
- Gauss
sorcerors using the item bond with their 'spells known' is very far from letting it work with the clerics' class spell list (why couldn't sorcerors also csst from their entire class spell list on that basis?)
...although since oracles work similar to sorceors re: spells known, THEY would require dealing with whether or not the ability CAN work with non-sorceror spells at all.
obviously we're predisposed to think that a feat we 'bought' will actually do 'something',
but it doesn't always work out like that. (e.g. fighters who take arcane bond)
as a house-rule I might consider letting Clerics/Druids/Inq's using it to spontaneously cast domain spells, though that isn't RAW.
Abraham: Check the Arcane Bond for Sorcerers. The wording is Spells known.
- Gauss
yup.
and arguably, familiar is a stronger choice for arcane BL sorcerors than the bonded item,
since bonded item is just giving more of something you already have (spontaneous casting slot) while familar is totally new (including potential for familar's SLAs via Improved Familiar).for wizards, familars are also a strong choice, but the bonded item grants them new abilities, namely spontaneous casting from their entire spellbook... reducing the down-side of prepared casting (while retaining their 1/2 spell level advantage).
Many people overlook the fact that item bond gives them the ability to create a powerful, self-repairing magical item of your choice, without needing to spend a feat on it. And it only works for you, so the item can never be turned against you!
If you make it into an intelligent magical item, then suddenly it can be a LOT more powerful and interesting than a familiar. Free true resurrection once a month or a self-concentrating rainbow pattern three times a day anyone?