Can someone help me out with this feat, is it worth getting at level 4? What do you like about it, is it better than the other level 4 class feats?
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I think it's one of the strongest Bard feats, allowing you to have flexibility in your spell list, countering the biggest weakness in spontaneous spellcasters. The arcane/occult evolutions for sorcerer are similarly very strong feats.
This feat allows your Bard to permanent learn your always every day spells, but have a bit of flexibility for utility or just an extra spell known that you don't have to retrain when a better option comes along.
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I think it's extremely powerful.
For one, it's the only Feat that allows MCD Spontaneous casters to have a Signature Spell (thus granting automatic heightening).
Also it's just great for the reasons Xenocrat said.
It allows the Bard to grab spells that maybe they don't want to cast all that often. An NPC I built has the spell "Secret Page", which outside of using EP to do it or getting an NPC/Scroll to handle the situation, allows him to cast a spell he likely wouldn't have even taken to begin with.
Which is the best/easiest way to learn a spell what do you guys recommend?
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You can learn a spell by finding a teacher who knows the spell and is willing to teach you, or acquiring a written form of it, like a scroll.
So, buying a scroll is probably easy, at least for lower level spells. You may occasionally find one adventuring, and have the choice of whether to keep the scroll on hand to use as a consumable, or to attempt to add it to your book.
You could ask your GM about trying to find a proper tutor who you might be able to pay or otherwise convince to teach you a certain spell as a downtime activity, depending on where in the world you are and who is around.
Learn an spell for the book of Esoteric Polimath?
The same way as an Wizard, go after these delicious scrolls, because some of the Occult Spells are on the Arcana list as well you can get some from Wizard spellbooks as well.
My INT is 10 and no plans to increase it, are there any reliable ways to learn these spells? Or ways of boosting my chance?
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Improve your proficiency level with occultism. You'll still be worse off than a smart bard that increases their occultism, but better than if you stay at trained. You may still have problems learning spells for your highest level, but you could use assurance for learning lower level spells reliably.
Hmm maybe I'll increase my INT then since I will be getting Esoteric Polymath, I was originally going to increase Wisdom and get Medicine but we have two other Medicine guys in the group, is that enough out of combat healing in your opinion for me to not go Medicine?
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Remember that any spell that you learn while leveling automatically goes to the book as well.
With the book you can heighten lower level spells too, so have a lot of spells easy to learn that are useful, like preparing command as 5th level to target a ton of creatures.
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One great aspect is that lots of the recovery spells have to counter the condition, so you want them at high levels. You can't have them all be Signature (though Dispel Magic's a good choice), nor do you want them clogging up your highest spell choices.
It may be the next day, but you can cast the one you need at your highest level (if needed). That's good utility. A Cleric or Druid has to figure out how many attempts it'll take them to succeed before they memorize. A Bard can keep trying and save whatever is left for their other spells.
This is all great advice, I was thinking of maybe applying Esoteric Polymath to Silence level 2, does that mean I would automatically have the Heightened Version of it at level 4? Because that's what I'm really after.
So this spell basically gives you a 4th spell known at one particular level?
If Silence Level 2 is part of your spell repertoire, and you use Esoteric Polymath to prepare 'Silence', then your Silence spell temporarily becomes a signature spell. {meaning you can use any Level 2 or higher slots to cast Silence, and if you use a Level 4 slot or higher, you gain its heightened effects.)
If its not part of your spell repertoire, then you would need to prepare it as a Level 4 spell [or higher] using Esoteric Polymath, if you want the 4th level version effects.
Edit= It can temporarily add one additional spell to your spell repertoire, if the spell not already on it OR temporary make one spell that is on your repertoire a signature spell.
Interesting so could I have two signature spells at the same level then assuming the spell is already on my list? Or is there still a limit to maximum of 1 signature spell per level?
Remember that any spell that you learn while leveling automatically goes to the book as well.
what happens if you swap a spell? does the old one stay in the book and then the new one gets added for free?
Very good feat. Build up occultism. Get magical shorthand as recommended. Grab an occultism increasing item.
You don't have to always add the highest level spells. I often wait until I'm past a few levels, then add spells when the DC is easier. You can learn from other party members that have a spell on the list as well.
Pick up key spells you may need.
Esoteric Polymath is a good path. Makes you the most versatile caster in the game.