Razmirian priest and ignoring material components


Rules Questions


There is a sorcerer archetype called razmirian priest (it is listed as false priest on the OGC) and it has a bunch of abilities that replace some of the bloodline powers. Most of them are not worth investing for, but the 9th level ability is interesting:
"False Channel:
At 9th level, the false priest can use his own magic to power spell completion and spell trigger items that use divine spells. He expends a sorcerer spell slot that is at least 1 level higher than the level of the spell he’s trying to activate, then makes a Use Magic Device check. If he succeeds, the item’s spell occurs and the item or charge is not expended. If he fails, nothing happens. Whether he succeeds or fail, his spell slot is expended."

So in other words, I can use a scroll (or wand/staff) of murderous command, for example, and instead of using a charge or scroll, I could use a second level slot. Scrolls/wands/staffs require payment of the material component and foci in the creation of the item, so using this ability on something such as restoration or raise dead for example, allows you to bypass the material component after the first use. Is this intentional?

Shadow Lodge

Sure works as written.

Intentional? Don't know. It seems a little strong to me, especially since some spells with component costs can be abusive if cast without cost. Simulacrum or Animate Dead could create free armies, while Masterwork Transformation turns into a money-printing spell. But Blood Money also lets you get around component costs, so it's not like they're inviolable. Also, you do have to spend the component cost at least once, and using a higher spell slot means you can't pull this trick with your most powerful spells.


Intentional? Most likely, the devs have said before that they prefer waiving the costs on raising the dead.

Works as written however.


Hm... a scroll of Animate Death would be 3rd level, which then costs a 4th level slot - which it would do anyway for a Sorcerer. Free zombies!
And a free Desecrate effect... With the right scroll portfolio, the Sorcerer could be a contender again in the Necromancers' builds.


Planar ally, Restoration, all symbols, animate dead, the resurrection spells, stoneskin from the inquisitor list, desecration maybe, fabricate from the artifice domain. Simulacrum isn't on any divine spell list. I think that animate dead is the biggest contender, especially since it can be done from range as a standard action now. Resurrection+restoration is pretty big too; free revival if the caster survives.

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