[3.5] archmage questions..

[_felagund]

hey guys,

i ve some questions about the archmage..

1. the spell progression says, with every level, he gains new spells per day. is there any diff from a standard wizard here?

2. arcane fire allows him to sacrifice a memorized spell to convert it into a fire bolt. with a dmg of 1d6*(Sacrificed Spell Level + ArhMage Level) right?

3. Spell power increases his efective caster level by 1. this makes every spell casted like a one level higher wizard right?

4. and the spell like ability; assume he picked disintigrate. this lets him to cancel a 5th and a 6th level memorized spell to cast it freely (max 2/day)?

thx in advance

[Gnoman]

0. Wrong forum

1. From the SRD


Spells per Day/Spells Known

When a new archmage level is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 7th-level spells before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If a character had more than one arcane spellcasting class in which he could cast 7th-level spells before he became an archmage, he must decide to which class he adds each level of archmage for the purpose of determining spells per day.
Bolded for emphasis. For the purposes of spells per day only, there is no difference between a level of Archmage and a level of Wizard/Sorcerer/Bard/Whatever

2. From the SRD

Arcane Fire (Su)

The archmage gains the ability to change arcane spell energy into arcane fire, manifesting it as a bolt of raw magical energy. The bolt is a ranged touch attack with long range (400 feet + 40 feet/level of archmage) that deals 1d6 points of damage per class level of the archmage plus 1d6 points of damage per level of the spell used to create the effect. This ability costs one 9th-level spell slot.

Technically, it's (Archmagelevel)d6+(spell level)d6, but that's splitting hairs for most purposes.

3.
Spell Power

This ability increases the archmage’s effective caster level by +1 (for purposes of determining level-dependent spell variables such as damage dice or range, and caster level checks only). This ability costs one 5th-level spell slot.
For purposes of spell dice/range and caster level checks, you are correct. He does not gain any more spell slots, known spells, or other benefits.

4. Not exactly. It is not a memorized spell you sacrifice. You permanently sacrifice the spell slot when you take this or any other high arcana. In the mentioned case, you would forever be able to prepare one less 5th level and one less 6th level slot each day.

[ericgrau]

hey guys,

i ve some questions about the archmage..

1. the spell progression says, with every level, he gains new spells per day. is there any diff from a standard wizard here?

2. arcane fire allows him to sacrifice a memorized spell to convert it into a fire bolt. with a dmg of 1d6*(Sacrificed Spell Level + ArhMage Level) right?

3. Spell power increases his efective caster level by 1. this makes every spell casted like a one level higher wizard right?

4. and the spell like ability; assume he picked disintigrate. this lets him to cancel a 5th and a 6th level memorized spell to cast it freely (max 2/day)?

thx in advance

1. Ya you get casting progression exactly like more wizard levels. You don't get other wizard class features like familiar progression and bonus feats. The only other drawback to prestige classes compared to wizard levels are the requirements. That said, archmage is a pretty good deal. Be sure to put your spell focuses into schools that have a lot of spells with a saving throw (not "none"). I'm guessing you'll want transmutation for your disintegrates.
2. Ya but in spite of the name the damage type isn't actually fire. There's no type. That's important because this ability is pretty weak. It's only an advantage to have if you face a lot of foes that are resistant to fire and other energy types.
3. Higher caster level but same spell levels and no new spells as said. Basically when a spell description says "caster level" like "2d6 per caster level" it helps there. You'll have bigger disintegrates.
4. Yes. And this ability may never be switched.

[FlyingScanian]

1. From the SRD


Bolded for emphasis. For the purposes of spells per day only, there is no difference between a level of Archmage and a level of Wizard/Sorcerer/Bard/Whatever

On a related question, does a wizard still gains two spells known when he takes a level of archmage?

[Kylarra]

On a related question, does a wizard still gains two spells known when he takes a level of archmage?
Strict RAW is debatable, but most people say yes.

[NNescio]

Strict RAW is debatable, but most people say yes.

Master Specialist also has a similarly worded spellcasting advancement feature:


At each level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in the wizard class. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained.

And its "Expanded Spellbook" class feature...

When you reach 2nd level, you can add one spell of your chosen school to your spellbook. The spell can be of any level that you can cast, and it is in addition to the normal spells gained when increasing your level. ...

...makes it very clear that it gains bonus spells like a normal wizard.

[Kylarra]

Yes, I've gone through the arguments, and I am firmly of the belief that RAI and the RAW can be interpreted to say that wizards gain the spells in their book while PrCing. However, I do acknowledge that some people are contentious about it for the sake of being contentious.