Mage of the arcane order [Help]

[Bagger]

Hello ppl :D

in Complete Arcane page 48 there is this lovely prc. called Mage of the arcane order.

I really love this, or at least I think I will. I know its not the most badass class out there, or even that overpowered.

but my question is:

how do I use it to its potentiel (without being cheesy or gmaebreaking)

like Spellpool, is that only Players handbook spells, or do it go to spell compendium. is there any items / feats / what ever you guys think I should consider.


now let the geeking begin :)

[Barlen]

I rather like this class but have never been able to play it. I did mess around with some builds for it a few times.

First, the spellpool is based on caster level (cl/2 actually) rather than the number of levels of the PrC itself. So if you take it as early as possible (level 6) you have 3 spell levels available to you (caster level 6/2 =3). So you could leave one level 1 slot open and one level 2 slot open. By level 12 you can leave one each of levels 1, 2, and 3. This means you cast any spell of the appropriate level once per day. Suddenly need a knock, or maybe tongues? You don't normally memorize them but you have it available.

As I looked at closely though I tried to figure out at what point I would feel comfortable leaving open a 4, 5th, or 6th level slot and decided it would likely not be until late in the game (15+). You need one round to summon a spell and I think I would rather keep all of those slots ready and filled through the middle part of the game.

This logic led me to use this PrC for a 2 level dip initially with the option to fill it later. You get spellpool 1 at MotAO 1 and a bonus feat to make up for the feat you spent to enter it at MotAO 2nd.

One build I came up with based on this combined it with Master specialist.
Conjurer 3/ MS 2 / MotAO 2/ MS 3-10 / +5

The +5 could be the remaining levels of MotAO needed to get the rest of your spell pools (at level 4 and 7). Or it could go into Archmage or whatever.

Perhaps someone who has actually played could give you a better idea on how it actually works.

[HunterOfJello]

The spellbook subsection entitled "The Spellpool" states that the spells available are all wizard/sorcerer spells from the PHB, "as well as any additional
spells designated by the DM".

I can't remember any specific builds off the top of my head that would be great for Mage of the Arcane Order, but its base abilities are great for any prepared arcane caster. The top picks for base classes for this would be Wizard and Wu Jen. Wu Jen is only worth mentioning since it has its own limited list of spells and would now be able to cast spells from the wizard/sorcerer list by using the spellpool.

The MotAO is a great PrC is general and great for anyone who likes having every possibile trick up their sleave for the right occasion. It's a very strong PrC that doesn't really need much optimizing at all to be amazing.

[nedz]

It's a full casting PrC which increases a Wizards flexibility. How is this weak ?

Wizard 5 / MotAO 7 / Some other PrC gives you almost everything from the class.

[Wolfepuppy]

How about entering with a spontaneous caster?

[Saintheart]

How about entering with a spontaneous caster?

Can't -- unless you've taken Arcane Preparation, because the PrC's prerequisites are "able to prepare and cast 2nd-level arcane spells."

But it strikes me as pretty nice for sorcerers, getting around the whole fixed spell list thing since sorcerers pretty much always have an open spell slot or two. The Spellpool is basically a sorcerer slot for a wizard anyway since it doesn't allow you to learn the spells you call from the pool.

[nedz]

Thread Necromancy folks.

[Saintheart]

Damn, from 2012 no less. That's some Level 20 Forumancer stuff right there.