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The Anarresti
2010-04-27, 04:09 PM
I'm designing a setting with my friend where all spellcasters are arcane and spontaneous, without alignments having any mechanical effect. The Wizard, Cleric, Paladin and Druid are gone. The only change to the Ranger is that he meditates for spell-like abilities every day as opposed to spells. The Sorcerer looses familer, but gains any minor dragon bloodline of his choice, but the abilities gained via the bloodline are class bonuses. [The point of both of these changes is so spellcasters don't step on each other's toes fluff-wise] The witch (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19526430/The_WITCH_Core_Class?pg=1) is added, and I am homebrewing a class called the Alchemist (think Full Metal Alchemist type thing), an INT-based caster to serve as primary healer. [Side note: we are renaming the Craft: Alchemy skill Craft: Chemistry]

Anyway, what other spontaneous arcane casters are out there? I'd much prefer homebrew or open source ones and my group and I do not want to spend lots of money and we only have the three core books. 3.5e, please. I'd really like ones with interesting or unique fluff, and I'd prefer non-CHA spontaneous arcane casters if possible. We're trying this way to not have spellcasters dominate everything: the goal for this setting is to put the shock value back in magic: most common magic is subtile like witchcraft or bardic music, or more like science than magic, like Alchemy.

DragoonWraith
2010-04-27, 04:18 PM
I've brewed a few:
Arcanist (http://wiki.faxcelestis.net/index.php?title=Arcanist), a Wisdom-based spontaneous spellcaster who functions something like a Vancian Ardent. Note that you'll probably need a great many more Orbs than I've listed, since currently there are not nearly enough of them.
Puppet Master (http://wiki.faxcelestis.net/index.php?title=Puppet_Master), spontaneous full-list caster a la Beguiler. Focuses on summons and buffs, so primarily Transmutation and Abjuration combined with a few defensive Illusions and the Summon Monster line. Also has an ungodly verbose Doll feature, which I personally think is very cool and not at all difficult to use - but difficult to explain in D&D terms and therefore the description is very long.
Cerebremancer (http://wiki.faxcelestis.net/index.php?title=Cerebremancer), obviously a remake of the XPH Prestige Class. This one is (IMO) much more interesting, and also will work much better for a spontaneous entry than will the XPH's version, since you can qualify as a caster 1/psionicist 3 and therefore don't need to wait until caster 4 to get 2nd level spells.
Swordmage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149724) does not use Spells, but Incantations, which are per encounter abilities that often have a casting time of an attack action. Unfortunately, needs many, many more Incantations to be usable past level 3 or so...

Starbuck_II
2010-04-27, 04:45 PM
I'm designing a setting with my friend where all spellcasters are arcane and spontaneous, without alignments having any mechanical effect. The Wizard, Cleric, Paladin and Druid are gone. The only change to the Ranger is that he meditates for spell-like abilities every day as opposed to spells. The Sorcerer looses familer, but gains any minor dragon bloodline of his choice, but the abilities gained via the bloodline are class bonuses. [The point of both of these changes is so spellcasters don't step on each other's toes fluff-wise] The witch (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19526430/The_WITCH_Core_Class?pg=1) is added, and I am homebrewing a class called the Alchemist (think Full Metal Alchemist type thing), an INT-based caster to serve as primary healer. [Side note: we are renaming the Craft: Alchemy skill Craft: Chemistry]

Anyway, what other spontaneous arcane casters are out there? I'd much prefer homebrew or open source ones and my group and I do not want to spend lots of money and we only have the three core books. 3.5e, please. I'd really like ones with interesting or unique fluff, and I'd prefer non-CHA spontaneous arcane casters if possible. We're trying this way to not have spellcasters dominate everything: the goal for this setting is to put the shock value back in magic: most common magic is subtile like witchcraft or bardic music, or more like science than magic, like Alchemy.

Darn, because there are some good 3.5 ones:
Dread Necromancer, Beguiler, and Warmage.

There is a free download of Pathfinder ones:
Witch, Alchemist, and Summoner.
http://paizo.com/store/downloads/pathfinder/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy8daf
You could also count Inquisitor if you change it to arcane caster. He is spontaneous.


If you can't get actual Warmage (no Complete Arcane): use this version:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131346

Puppetmaster:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122904

Luckthief:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50900

Bio-mage is decent, but not a true arcane caster.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2487790#post2487790

Burley
2010-04-27, 05:11 PM
Just wanted to mention that the warlock is not only spontaneous, but is also not Charisma-based. Though, it's save DCs are Charisma-based, it gains A LOT of valuable things from Intelligence, and if focused on blasting, it's really more of a... Dexterity based caster.

Also, if/when you finish with that Alchemist class, post it somewhere and/or PM me. That is an amazing show, and I've always wanted to play a character that works like that. Conservation of energy for the win, son.

The Cat Goddess
2010-04-27, 05:24 PM
If you can get them...

Healer, from Miniatures Handbook & Favored Soul, from Complete Divine. Both Spontaneous Divine casters. :smallbiggrin:

I assume when you say "Minor Dragon Bloodlines", you mean from Unearthed Arcana (SRD)... You should allow people to upgrade, IMHO. Yeah, you lose one or two more class levels, but Caster Level stays full and the benefits can be very nice. Also, allow for 0+Con Bonus hit points on the Bloodline level(s) & consider possibly 0+Int Bonus Skill Points as well.

The Anarresti
2010-04-27, 05:27 PM
First thing is: Thank you very much for your classes.
And, @Burley: Yes I love Full Metal Alchemist. And although I'd be tempted to make a class that mimics those alchemists (conservation of energy, transmutation circles and whatnot) my class more takes the lazy route and mimics them in spirit, without transmutation circles and the law of equivalent exchange.

Anxe
2010-04-27, 08:35 PM
Would Warmage work?

DragoonWraith
2010-04-27, 08:37 PM
Puppetmaster:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122904
Hooo-lleeee crap, someone else linked to that? I figured the massive wall of text had scared everyone away from it.

Thurbane
2010-04-27, 10:23 PM
Healer, from Miniatures Handbook & Favored Soul, from Complete Divine. Both Spontaneous Divine casters. :smallbiggrin:
Actually, the Healer isn't spontaneous...which is downright bewildering, considering how underpowered it is to begin with. Letting it be spontaneous is a very common houserule, though.