What kind of caster is the arcanist?

[Ravingdork]

Is the arcanist considered a spontaneous caster, a prepared caster, or both? I ask in regards to things like runestones of power, rings of wizardry, and other items and abilities where such designations make all the difference.

[RumpinRufus]

I would definitely say a prepared caster. Exhibit A, look how many times the word "prepare" is used in the description of their spellcasting abilities. Exhibit B, clerics, druids, and shamans can all spontaneously cast spells, but they are not considered to be "spontaneous casters".

[Dave Justus]

In my view, Arcanists prepare their spells to be cast spontaneously. When it comes to actually casting them they function as a spontaneous, not a prepared caster.

The items above that make that distinction make perfect sense if you treat them this way, but if you treat them as prepared casters it is nonsensical.

Another way to look at it is prepared casters expend a prepared spell when they cast. Spontaneous casters expend a slot. Note that even when a cleric 'spontaneously' casts a cure spell, they are expending a prepared spell to do so. Sorcerers et al don't expend a prepared spell, and neither do arcanists.

[Epsilon]

Look at Spell Lattice description

From Advanced Class Guide:
A spell lattice is a block of transparent crystal, internally
etched with a three-dimensional representation of a spell.
This spell is chosen when the item is created (the contained
spell determines the school of the lattice’s aura). When a
spell lattice is wielded by a spontaneous spellcaster who
has the spell contained within it on her class spell list, she
can use her spell slots to cast that spell as if it were one of
her spells known. When an arcanist holds a spell lattice, as
long as she has the contained spell on her class spell list,
she can use her spell slots to cast that spell as if it were one
of her spells currently prepared.
A spellcaster who uses a spellbook or formula book can
copy the spell from a spell lattice as if it were a scroll. Doing
so expends the spell from the spell lattice.

Arcanists prepare spells but they can spontaneously cast any spell they have prepared for the day up to there limit of spells per day.

So runestones of power are for Arcanists.

Ring of Wizardry works for all arcane spellcasters.

[FangDragon]

Yeah interesting. They probably have to use runestones of power since they have a spell casing resource like sorcerers do.

In general while they are both semi-prepared and spontaneous it's safest (in my opinion) to use the least advantageous interpretation when considering interactions with magic items and so on.

[chbgraphicarts]

The Arcanist is weird, because it's both a Spontaneous caster and a Prepared caster at the same time.

Like a Wizard, the Arcanist must Prepare his spells every day; however, unlike a Wizard, he doesn't Prepare Spell Slots, he Prepares his Spells Known list.

Like a Sorcerer, the Arcanist Spontaneously casts any spell he knows of a given level any number of times per day (as long as he still has Slots open); however, unlike a Sorcerer, he must re-"learn" every one of his "Spells Known" each day, rather than remembering all his spells all the time.

In short, the Arcanist is just about the sweetest balanced class to emerge in a long, long time, and is a giant Christmas present wrapped in $100 bills to everyone who ever wanted to play a Sorcerer with all the Batman-like crazy-prepared-ness of a Wizard.

[RumpinRufus]

If anything, that Spell Lattice gives further evidence that arcanists are not spontaneous casters, otherwise the whole sentence regarding them would be redundant with the previous sentence.

I think it's completely reasonable to allow an arcanist to use a Runestone of Power, but I still am not at all convinced that they are considered "spontaneous casters" in general.

[Epsilon]

Problem is they cant use pearls of power since they never actually expend a prepared slot. Example: lvl 1 (18 int) can prepare 2 1st level spells and can cast up to 3 1st level spells per day. So runestones of power is there only option.

[That Crazy Alchemist]

This among other reasons why I've never tried to tackle playing an Arcanist...too bloody confusing. I'll happily stick with my Alchemist's, we're the best class in the game anyway.

[Dafydd]

Ring of Wizardry to Prepare multiple spells. Not increasing how many they can cast.

Runestones of Power to regain the used slots.

No use for pearls as prepared slots are not actually expended.

[Epsilon]

Ring of Wizardry says increases spells per day

This special ring comes in four varieties, all of them useful only to arcane spellcasters. The wearer’s arcane spells per day are doubled for one specific spell level. A ring of wizardry I doubles 1st-level spells, a ring of wizardry II doubles 2nd-level spells, a ring of wizardry III doubles 3rd-level spells, and a ring of wizardry IV doubles 4th-level spells. Bonus spells from high ability scores or school specialization are not doubled.

It's not prepared spells, unless its for a wizard. It would increase both arcanist and sorcerers spells per day they can cast.

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

A little of column A, a little of column B. I think which applies depends on the ability or item in question.

[Ravingdork]

Anyone else care to weigh in?

[LazarX]

Ravingdork wrote:

Is the arcanist considered a spontaneous caster, a prepared caster, or both? I ask in regards to things like runestones of power, rings of wizardry, and other items and abilities where such designations make all the difference.

In Rings of Wizardry it makes no difference because what it multiplies is "Spells PER Day".

For wizards that means prepared spells, for arcanists and sorcerers it's casting slots. since the latter two CAST spontaneously, pearls of power are of no use to them, as neither loses prepared spells on casting.

The answer is going to vary on how each individual item interacts with the caster, as shown above.