Elf arcanist favored class bonus: what does it do

[williamoak]

So, the elves have the following arcanist favored class bonus:

-Increase total number of points in the arcanist's arcane reservoir by 1.

Originally, I thought it added an extra point in the arcane reservoir each day, as well as increasing the maximum arcane reservoir. However, after seeing the Gnome FCB I was uncertain.

-Add 1/6 to the number of points the arcanist gains in her arcane reservoir each day.

So, my question is: What does the elf arcanist favored class bonus give you? A greater maximum to the arcane reservoir? Extra arcane reservoir points each day? Or a mere arcane reservoir point that is lost after use?

[CalethosVB]

It grants you additional maximum Arcane Reservoir. More points starting out the day is not on the roster.

In essence, every 6 levels you gain +1 maximum Reservoir.

[Epsilon]

For elf it increases your max number of arcanist points by +1.

Gnome it increases how many point you charge each day.

Assuming you take racial bonus for both at all levels.
Recharge:
You recharge when preparing spells for the day.
Elf Arcanist lvl 6
Arcane Reservoir:
Maximum (3 + 6(+1 for each level) + 6 (+1 from racial bonus))
Max = 15
Recharge per day (3 + (1/2 * 6))
Recharge = 6

Gnome Arcanist lvl 6
Maximum (3 + 6(+1 for each level))
Max = 9
Recharge per day (3 + (1/2 * 6) + (1/6 * 6)) = (3 + 3 + 1)
Recharge = 7

Honestly I prefer increasing maximum. It doesn't seem you get that good of a deal with the gnome bonus. It still kinda sucks that your max will always be higher then the amount you can recharge per day.

[Melkiador]

While the elf bonus is maybe better by comparison, you have to factor in how good a +1 hp per level is to a class with a low hit die paired with a race with a constitution penalty.

The good thing about the elf bonus is that it's dippable. So you take the hp at low level and the larger pool at higher level.

[Tarantula]

Epsilon wrote:

Honestly I prefer increasing maximum. It doesn't seem you get that good of a deal with the gnome bonus. It still kinda sucks that your max will always be higher then the amount you can recharge per day.

I think its gets better as you are higher level and start getting into having abilities to recharge points throughout the day. Such as recharging it from counterspelling.

[Epsilon]

Also great for PFS since at the start of a new game it is full and so far I have only played one game where we had multiple days to rest. Granted I'm playing a half-elf so i don't deal with the negative con store.