Culture Question: Spell Research


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


Hello,

Do GMs (or players) generally frown on using downtime spell research to poach spells from other spell lists? I don't want to be that guy if this kind of thing is generally verboten, but we recently lost our wizard, and I thought it might be a good idea to try to pick up a little bit of that slack. But if this opens all kinds of nasty doors, well I'm curious.

Anyway, input appreciated!


Ripping a spell straight from another classes' spell list is likely to cause some sort of problem, imo. If it's something you really want and would be useful, it's probably not on your list for a reason.

If the DM is willing to work with you on it, and bump up or down the spell level based on the power relative to your class, then I think it can be a fun way to make your Cleric/Wizard/Witch stand out from the others.


The best way to find out is to ask your GM. As an alternative, you could just play a Shaman because they cheat like the dickens when it comes to that.


I generally allow it, if there's a good in-game reason. The spell level is usually two spell levels higher. (E.g. An arcane version of restoration would be a 6th-level wizard spell.)

If it makes sense for the character concept, I won't force the level rise. It's pretty subjective.


I see, thank you! For using a higher level spell slot - would you treat that in a similar way to metamagic? i.e. it's a x-level spell, but you need to use an x+1 or x+2 slot to cast it?


I don't just allow a class to have any spell because they did some research. If the spell can reasonably fit the class, then I will allow it. If the party lost a player then I just try to recruit a new player, and until then I tune things down.

Personally I suggest you ask your GM away from the game. The worst he can do is say no.


downlobot wrote:
I see, thank you! For using a higher level spell slot - would you treat that in a similar way to metamagic? i.e. it's a x-level spell, but you need to use an x+1 or x+2 slot to cast it?

Um, no. In this case, the arcane version of restoration would be a 6th-level spell, and would use a 6th-level spell slot. Kind of like how hold person is a 2nd-level spell for clerics and a 3rd-level spell for wizards. Or how cure serious wounds is a 3td-level spell for clerics and a 4th-level spell for druids.


Depends on what's doing it and how.

An example would be the Magus and the Wizard. These guys can trade spells they know as long as they're capable of learning the spell (Spell list) but don't know it (Spell book). The Alchemist can steal stuff off of their books and add to his recipes, but no one can learn from his stuff.

That's RAW

Me personally, I do allow research time for expanding ones list beyond it's regular constraint (Wizard learned the spell Heal; it's SUPER EFFECTIVE!) as long as they put in both the research time (How do I cast god?) The study time (Oh! So that's what knitting muscle fiber looks like!) and finding exotic materials to aid in converting the spell over (Step 1; Holy Water. Step 2; ??? Step 3; NEW SPELL!)

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