[PFS] How can I cast a spell I don't know (even just once)?

[RainyDayNinja]

My Oracle has the Divine Warrior trait, which gives any weapon affected by a divine spell of mine +1 damage. I'd like to cast a Heightened continual flame on it so it has a permanent damage boost, and shines in deeper darkness.

The trouble is that I don't have the cash for a page of spell knowledge or mnemonic vestment. I could retrain one of my spells known, but I don't want to give up either of the spells I have, so I'd have to retrain right back (costing a total of 6 PP and 600 gold).

Is there some other, cheaper way that I can cast continual flame, even just once?

[Blake's Tiger]

Scroll?

[Jeraa]

Blake's Tiger wrote:

Scroll?

Won't work, as he isn't actually casting the spell, the scroll is.

Quote:

Items as Spells: Does using a potion, scroll, staff, or wand count as "casting a spell" for purposes of feats and special abilities like Augment Summoning, Spell Focus, an evoker's ability to do extra damage with evocation spells, bloodline abilities, and so on?

No. Unless they specifically state otherwise, feats and abilities that modify spells you cast only affect actual spellcasting, not using magic items that emulate spellcasting or work like spellcasting.

[Stormagedon Dark Lord of All]

Just find a cleric and have them cast it total price 90 gp. Should be available in a small city.

[alexd1976]

Stormagedon Dark Lord of All wrote:

Just find a cleric and have them cast it total price 90 gp. Should be available in a small city.

Trait only works if caster is the one who casts it.

Metamagic rod? Can't be that much to rent it for a single use... You know, if it existed.

Custom magic item creation rules can grant feat use, so maybe someone, somewhere has something like that...

[Firebug]

Stormagedon Dark Lord of All wrote:

Just find a cleric and have them cast it total price 90 gp. Should be available in a small city.

There are a couple hurdles here.

Not only does this not get you heightened metamagic (in PFS), it also is not one of your spells affecting the weapon so would not trigger the Divine Warrior trait. In addition, a regular continual flame in PFS would not be cast by a cleric, since it is a 2nd level spell as a Wizard. Cost by Wizard: 2x3x10 + 50 = 110 gp. Cost by Cleric (not PFS legal): 3x5x10 + 50 = 200 gp. Not 90 gp.

Cheapest I can find without knowing your race would be the Page of Spell Knowledge. 4000 gp, cast it, sell the page for 2000 gp net loss 2050 (including 50 gp for the material components). You could also use a feat for Expanded Arcana to add it as an additional spell known(required level 6, but can't heighten until 8), or use a Favored Class Bonus if you are Half-Orc/Half-Elf/Human (required level 8 anyway). If you were a half-elf(and own ARG) you could buy a scroll of Paragon Surge(to pick up Expanded Arcana) for 375gp and a Use Magic Device check (DC 25 to activate the scroll, won't have to emulate ability score since its on the sorcerer list).

If you can wait to take Expanded Arcana until 9 and first session cast the heightened continual flame, you could retrain the feat between sessions afterwards for just 5 PP and 450 gp.

[Jeraa]

alexd1976 wrote:

Custom magic item creation rules can grant feat use, so maybe someone, somewhere has something like that...

This seems to be a Society character (he mentions having to spend prestige points to retrain), so custom magic items are out.

[alexd1976]

Would Arcane Dabbler (Inner Sea Primer) maybe put you on the right track? I don't play PFS...

[Xethik]

Mnemonic Vestment + Scroll is probably going to be the best way in PFS. It's a good item to have, anyways, so it won't be a waste by any means.

[RainyDayNinja]

OK, it looks like I'll have to delay one of my other purchases (a +2 Int item to grab max skill ranks in Fly for my Angel Wings. I'll be floundering for this next mission before I can buy it, I guess). Mnemonic Vestment is a solid purchase anyway.

[thegreenteagamer]

I can think of a way to do this if your Oracle is a spirit guide archetype, using the Lore Spirit's ability to cast wizard spells AS divine spells this you can swap out every day...

But if you're not already a spirit guide, I got nothin'.

[Death whispers]

A scroll should actually be able to work as it is you casting the spell. Thats why this method also works for magic item creation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like a viable option.

[Avoron]

Death whispers wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like a viable option.

Correction: you're wrong.

Items as Spells FAQ wrote:

Does using a potion, scroll, staff, or wand count as "casting a spell" for purposes of feats and special abilities like Augment Summoning, Spell Focus, an evoker's ability to do extra damage with evocation spells, bloodline abilities, and so on?

No. Unless they specifically state otherwise, feats and abilities that modify spells you cast only affect actual spellcasting, not using magic items that emulate spellcasting or work like spellcasting.

[David knott 242]

You can replace one spell known for free at every even level as an oracle. That may not get you the spell as soon as you would like, but eventually you can get what you want that way.

[Azothath]

I suggest you cast a simple Light 0 spell on your weapon. at 10*CL min duration it's hard to beat, easy to renew, and yes it is still going while in darkness unless the casting of darkness is used to counter your light spell... in which case cast another the next round.
If the creature continues to use Darkness to counter cast one of; Magic Weapon 1, Sun Metal 1, Weapons against Evil 1, or Weaponwand 1 with a Wand of Cure/Inflict Light Wounds should work, Book Ward 2 (duration), Weapon of Awe 2.
yes... if you don't have the spell then Page of Spell Knowledge 1 $1000 which may be more than you have now...

[kinevon]

@Firebug: Incorrect. If you are spending gold for spellcasting purchases, you can get it from either type of caster, at any level. Main thing, unfortunately, is that PFS rules wouldn't allow purchasing it as Heightened.

Prestige purchase of spellcasting services is always minimum caster level. Gold purchase is more flexible, and necessary. Remove Disease, for example, can require beating a DC higher than a CL5 cast can easily reach, if it can reach it at all.

@OP: Mnemonic vestment, and pick up a collection of scrolls. Great way to get those "We seldom need this, but, boy, can it make an encounter easier if we have it." available for emergencies. Tongues, Comprehend Languages, Continual Flame (btw, even without the trait, your buddies would almost certainly be willing to pay for you casting it on one of their items,), many other oddball but niche spells.

[Paulicus]

As others have said, Mnemonic Vestment. Might be worth getting more than one, even.