OOPWER
2013-07-23, 08:42 PM
This is my first, real, post. I had an idea, and wasn't sure precisely how to express its manifestation. I was also curious to know if anyone else has had this idea.
It works a little like this:
A: Get Still Spell and buffs.
B: Take levels in mundane butt-kicking class (heavy armor proficient class).
What it boils down to, is that Arcane Spell Failure only occurs when casting a spell with somatic components, per PHB I RAW:
Wizards and sorcerers do not know how to wear armor effectively. If desired, they can wear armor anyway (though they’ll be clumsy in it), or
they can gain training in the proper use of armor (with the various Armor
Proficiency feats—light, medium, and heavy—and the Shield Proficiency
feat), or they can multiclass to add a class that grants them armor
proficiency (see Multiclass Characters later in this chapter). Even if a
wizard or sorcerer is wearing armor with which he or she is proficient,
however, it might still interfere with spellcasting.
Most characters have a difficult time casting arcane spells while
wearing armor or carrying shields (see Arcane Spell Failure, page 122).
The armor restricts the complicated gestures that a wizards or sorcerer
must make while casting any spell that has a somatic component (most
do). To find the arcane spell failure chance for a wizard or sorcerer
wearing a certain type of armor, see Table 7–6: Armor and Shields (page
123).
By contrast, bards not only know how to wear light armor effectively,
but they can also ignore the arcane spell failure chance for such armor.
However, they too wear heavier armor ineffectively and must either learn
to wear heavier armor via the appropriate Armor Proficiency feat
(medium or heavy) or add a class (such as fighter) that grants them such
proficiency as a class feature. A bard wearing armor heavier than light or
using any type of shield incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance,
even if he becomes proficient with that armor.
If a spell doesn’t have a somatic component, an arcane spellcaster can
cast it with no problem while wearing armor. Such spells can also be cast
even if the caster’s hands are bound or if he or she is grappling
(although Concentration checks still apply normally). Also, the
metamagic feat Still Spell allows a spellcaster to prepare or cast a spell at
one spell level higher than normal without the somatic component. This
also provides a way to cast a spell while wearing armor without risking
arcane spell failure.
I went on to the Chapter Five description of Still Spell, spoilered below:
A stilled spell can be cast with no somatic components.
Spells without somatic components are not affected. A stilled spell
uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell’s actual level.
Presuming you're willing to use upper level spell slots, you could conceivable establish yourself as an armor-plated spellcaster. This, in my opinion, opens up an interesting aspect of RP and mechanic potential as a swordsman with some levels in wizard or sorcerer focused on buffing himself.
While I have noticed that a few spellcasters (like Warmage) could potentially get the same thing as class features, they felt more like half measures. The way I see it, with this idea there is much greater freedom in customizing the character's spell list to this situation (with wizard levels).
I believe this as a practical way to boost AC and demonstrate an interesting spin on the concept of a spellslinging battler in plate as compared to what seems to be the fantasy standard of "Must be using magic to backstab people." (That's mostly my perception of them thus far. I've yet to see a fully armored spellcaster in a novel.)
Does anybody agree/disagree with [hopefully valid counterpoints] me?
It works a little like this:
A: Get Still Spell and buffs.
B: Take levels in mundane butt-kicking class (heavy armor proficient class).
What it boils down to, is that Arcane Spell Failure only occurs when casting a spell with somatic components, per PHB I RAW:
Wizards and sorcerers do not know how to wear armor effectively. If desired, they can wear armor anyway (though they’ll be clumsy in it), or
they can gain training in the proper use of armor (with the various Armor
Proficiency feats—light, medium, and heavy—and the Shield Proficiency
feat), or they can multiclass to add a class that grants them armor
proficiency (see Multiclass Characters later in this chapter). Even if a
wizard or sorcerer is wearing armor with which he or she is proficient,
however, it might still interfere with spellcasting.
Most characters have a difficult time casting arcane spells while
wearing armor or carrying shields (see Arcane Spell Failure, page 122).
The armor restricts the complicated gestures that a wizards or sorcerer
must make while casting any spell that has a somatic component (most
do). To find the arcane spell failure chance for a wizard or sorcerer
wearing a certain type of armor, see Table 7–6: Armor and Shields (page
123).
By contrast, bards not only know how to wear light armor effectively,
but they can also ignore the arcane spell failure chance for such armor.
However, they too wear heavier armor ineffectively and must either learn
to wear heavier armor via the appropriate Armor Proficiency feat
(medium or heavy) or add a class (such as fighter) that grants them such
proficiency as a class feature. A bard wearing armor heavier than light or
using any type of shield incurs the normal arcane spell failure chance,
even if he becomes proficient with that armor.
If a spell doesn’t have a somatic component, an arcane spellcaster can
cast it with no problem while wearing armor. Such spells can also be cast
even if the caster’s hands are bound or if he or she is grappling
(although Concentration checks still apply normally). Also, the
metamagic feat Still Spell allows a spellcaster to prepare or cast a spell at
one spell level higher than normal without the somatic component. This
also provides a way to cast a spell while wearing armor without risking
arcane spell failure.
I went on to the Chapter Five description of Still Spell, spoilered below:
A stilled spell can be cast with no somatic components.
Spells without somatic components are not affected. A stilled spell
uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell’s actual level.
Presuming you're willing to use upper level spell slots, you could conceivable establish yourself as an armor-plated spellcaster. This, in my opinion, opens up an interesting aspect of RP and mechanic potential as a swordsman with some levels in wizard or sorcerer focused on buffing himself.
While I have noticed that a few spellcasters (like Warmage) could potentially get the same thing as class features, they felt more like half measures. The way I see it, with this idea there is much greater freedom in customizing the character's spell list to this situation (with wizard levels).
I believe this as a practical way to boost AC and demonstrate an interesting spin on the concept of a spellslinging battler in plate as compared to what seems to be the fantasy standard of "Must be using magic to backstab people." (That's mostly my perception of them thus far. I've yet to see a fully armored spellcaster in a novel.)
Does anybody agree/disagree with [hopefully valid counterpoints] me?