Paladin's & Sword of the Arcane Order

[Talonblaze]

So got a few questions about this feat that doesn't quite elaborate on what the rules pertaining to it are and I couldn't find clarifications to such.

-Are wizard/sorc spells subject to arcane spell failure if they are replaced by the paladin/ranger slots? Or are they ignored? (Essentially are they treated like Divine Arcane spells or pure Arcane?)

-Does the feat allow you to qualify for arcane feats and abilities? Like for instance Obtain Familiar?

-It notes that caster levels for it is the sum of wizard (if any), paladin and ranger class levels. Does that mean that caster level = class levels for the purpose of these spells rather than a paladin's 1/2 + 2 caster level for their regular spells?

-Does Battle Blessing work with these spells?

-Would there be any point in buffing Int higher than 14 for the purpose of this feat since Paladin and ranger spell slots don't go above 4th?

[Dusk Eclipse]

While an awesome feat, SotAO is a messy messy feat. Sadly most of your questions default to ask your DM (tm)

[tyckspoon]

- Subject to Spell Failure: Yes. You are preparing Wizard spells, which means you're dealing with arcane magic and the things that come with it.

- Feats and other options: Depends on the requirements. SotAO does not provide an arcane caster level, so it will not let you take Obtain Familiar. Things that depend on access to specific spells or types of spells will generally be available if you have the appropriate spells in your spellbook.

- Your caster level for those spells only changes if you have at least one Wizard level. In that situation, then yes, your caster level will = character level, assuming a straight Wizard/Paladin setup- any prestige classing will change this. If you do not have a Wizard level, your caster level is the same as your usual paladin/ranger caster level.

- Battle Blessing does not work. Again, preparing Wizard spells; Wizard =/= Paladin.

- Not really. Your best applications for these spells are not especially DC dependent, and you aren't getting bonus spell slots from Int.

[hex0]

- Subject to Spell Failure: Yes. You are preparing Wizard spells, which means you're dealing with arcane magic and the things that come with it.


On the other hand there are a few spells with no somatic component that would help a Paladin or Ranger. True Strike, Blur, and Feather Fall come to mind.

[Talonblaze]

@tyckspoon
Well, there's a few things that seem to confuse me even with the stuff you supplied.

If it follows the same rules as a wizard by your definition, that means something HAS to be considered an arcane caster level. (Divine caster level shouldn't affect arcane spells after all, no?) Otherwise its considered 0 is it not? As you noted that Paladin =/= Wizard. It doesn't make sense otherwise that only some things apply and not the others for the conflicting pair. Doesn't make sense only some of the rules would apply from that implied statement.

Guess the main thing about this feat is that it doesn't specifically state what type of magic it is as most things do when adding spells.

Since like a Archivist, being able to prepare spells from different classes doesn't change how they work and are added to their list (since Archivists can prepare spells from any divine spellcasting class list even though they all have different preparation methods). I imagine thats exactly what the paladin would be. A lesser Archivist that has a wizard spell list. Since preparing itself doesn't actually change anything, just how they are obtained. (Since paladin's still prepare spells, just in a different way, and it also doesn't say they have to adopt the wizard way of preparing. Just to obtain spells to memorize.)

Think there's really only these ways to rule it from what i've read around;

1. Spells are divine, divine caster level = paladins unless a level of wizard is obtained, acquiring new spells for what was noted in the feat entry. Doesn't qualify for arcane requirements or Battle Blessing.

2. Spells are arcane, arcane caster level = paladin's caster level unless a level of wizard is obtained, essentially the exact same as a wizard as implied. Doesn't count for Battle Blessing. But qualifies for arcane requirements.

3. The common interpretation. Divine spellcasting, caster level = class levels, acquiring additional spells uses the common spellbook and spell craft methods. Qualifies for Battle Blessing for the spells are added to the Paladin's spell list. (After all, your not a Wizard). Arcane requirements eligible through emulated features through the sum of levels.

Gah, was there really not Errata or FAQ ruling on this from a sourcebook?