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So I had a couple of questions regarding the samsaran trait from the advanced race guide that allows them to pick up non-class spells of the same branch of magic(arcane or divine) and add them to their spell list. I have already seen a number of very broken possibilities for this that seem to be counter productive to balanced game play.
The first question is about spell level, there appears to be no limit in picking where your spells come from so that a few spells (mainly looking at you mister summoner) that have odd levels for the classes that get them; usually because of a reduced spellcasting progression. Looking at a few of their spells; [http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/d/dominate-monster]dominate monster[/url] is a great example. A bard could get access to it, as could a magus as a sixth level spell. This is not broken in and of itself as long as a couple of other things remain true. This brings me to point number 2...
Can a class put the spell on their spell list a a lower level than normal through this trait, or a a lower level than similar classes because of getting it through a lowered spell progression class. Say the wizard takes dominate monster as sixth level spell instead of a ninth. This interaction seems to be a bit of a problem as it could lead to a lot of lower level characters having the biggest spells in the game quite early.
I was thinking on a quick rule clarificaion for this requiring you to take it off of the wizard/sorceror or cleric spell lists if available and then the other full 9 level casters first simply to prevent this kind of cheese. Just seems a little overpowered for some classes/combinations.
I don't have the book, but if the Alt Racial Ability says you may add 'non-class spells' to your spell list, then it isn't going to allow you to 'shift' a spell to a lower level because if you already had it at a higher spell level then it isn't a 'non-class spell' to you.
In the end, if you're uncomfortable about it, don't use it in your game.
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Here's the text:
Mystic Past Life (Su):
You can add spells from another spellcasting class to the spell list of your current spellcasting class. You add a number of spells equal to 1 + your spellcasting class’s key ability score bonus (Wisdom for clerics, and so on). The spells must be the same type (arcane or divine) as the spellcasting class you’re adding them to. For example, you could add divine power to your druid class spell list, but not to your wizard class spell list because divine power is a divine spell. These spells do not have to be spells you can cast as a 1st-level character. The number of spells granted by this ability is set at 1st level. Changes to your ability score do not change the number of spells gained. This racial trait replaces shards of the past.
In general, you should not allow players to gain access to spells lower than what they'd normally get them at.
So basically just don't allow summoner as a choice.
I think Quandary was on the right track. This alternate racial ability lets you add a spell to your spell list. If a spell is already on your spell list, you would not be adding it but moving it down a level or three. So an arcane spellcaster who is not a summoner can gain any summoner spell that is not on his own class's spell list at whatever level the summoner gets it -- not exactly a game breaking option.
Just remember that classes get spells at certain levels. Preserve that, and it will be fine.
I agree that you should be unable to add spells to your spell list that are already there. No 2nd level haste, Mr Wizard!
However, I am actually going to (probably) be making a wizard using the Words of Power option in the near future. I wanna try blasty and summons for once, tired of watching the fighters high five and talk about how I suck because I didn't do any damage :( Yes, despite hasting, blinding enemies, casting walls, etc. Don't ask :p
Occurs to me that a Words of Power Wizard will have none of the spells from any other class in his spell list because he will just have words. Enter the justifiable abuse of the Samsaran class!
But can I make myself do it... sigh