Archmage prereq 3.5

[Yorkblack]

Hi everyone !
Quick question about the archmage prestige class, in 3.5 : I don't really understand the line "knowledge of 5thlevel
or higher spells from at least five schools.", in the prerequisites. Does it mean I need to have at least 5 spells from 5 different schools in lvl 5-6-7 ? If that's so, that means quite a lot of investment. Sorry if that has been answered already, but I couldn't find anything on this (or maybe no one tried to clarify it because it's clear for everyone and I'm just dense, who knows)

[Inevitability]

You must know a spell of at least 5th level for five schools. For example, a wizard could know Cloudkill, Dominate Person, Fabricate, Antimagic Field and True Seeing, which would be enough to meet the prerequisite.

[Yorkblack]

Okay that's what I thought. Thanks a lot :)

[sleepyphoenixx]

It's not really much of an investment. You need 7th level spells to qualify, so you've been getting 2 free spells of 5th level or higher per level for 5 levels already (9,10,11,12,13).
Since you already know at least 10 spells of 5th or higher without doing anything all you have to do is make sure you've picked from different schools for half of them.

Unless you're a Focused Specialist/Red Wizard/Incantatrix or some other build that banned more than 3 schools that requirement isn't really a problem. I'd say it's something most wizards do anyway.

[Kish]

In most campaigns, you just have to hit ninth level and buy three scrolls, as a wizard. It's only really a concern at all for sorcerers. Sorcerers do need to plan their spells around it, and also enter the class later than a wizard would.

[Inevitability]

It's not really much of an investment. You need 7th level spells to qualify, so you've been getting 2 free spells of 5th level or higher per level for 5 levels already (9,10,11,12,13).
Since you already know at least 10 spells of 5th or higher without doing anything all you have to do is make sure you've picked from different schools for half of them.

Unless you're a Focused Specialist/Red Wizard/Incantatrix or some other build that banned more than 3 schools that requirement isn't really a problem. I'd say it's something most wizards do anyway.

Just learn Create Chosen One in that case. It's even thematically appropriate for a red wizard!

[Yorkblack]

Right, I hadn't checked but in fact I already have spells from 4 schools (at lvl 11), and I'm planning to enter archmage at 14 (I entered master specialist with the conjuration school at lvl 4, and the capstone of this prc is really good. I mean, quicken every standard action conjuration spells ? Damn :D) I'll just have to take one divination spell at some point. Speaking of which, any advice on this ? i'm not big on divination, so I don't know which one can be good. Core only.

Oh, and I never though about copying scrolls. I should though, it's quite cheap, thanks for the tip.

[sleepyphoenixx]

Right, I hadn't checked but in fact I already have spells from 4 schools (at lvl 11), and I'm planning to enter archmage at 14 (I entered master specialist with the conjuration school at lvl 4, and the capstone of this prc is really good. I mean, quicken every standard action conjuration spells ? Damn :D) I'll just have to take one divination spell at some point. Speaking of which, any advice on this ? i'm not big on divination, so I don't know which one can be good. Core only.

Oh, and I never though about copying scrolls. I should though, it's quite cheap, thanks for the tip.
You'll probably want to pick up True Seeing anyway, which fulfills the requirement.

Prying Eyes, Telepathic Bond, Greater Arcane Sight and Greater Scrying are also worth having pretty much regardless of playstyle.

[Yorkblack]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go with true seeing :)

[Venger]

Just learn Create Chosen One in that case. It's even thematically appropriate for a red wizard!

how does this give you access to another school?

[Dagroth]

An Elven Generalist Wizard (or any Wizard, really... just a little easier for him) can get into this class easily after gaining 9th level with just a little planning ahead.

Invest some cash in a few 5th level spell scrolls that meet the requirements while you're leveling up. Then, when you reach 9th level, put them in your book. You now meet the spell knowledge requirement and can become an Archmage staring level 10.

Technically, a Sorcerer could get in at starting level 11 with a pocket full of Knowstones & maybe a custom Runestaff.

[Inevitability]

how does this give you access to another school?

It's a 5th-level spell of the Alteration school (also the only spell belonging to it).

[zergling.exe]

An Elven Generalist Wizard (or any Wizard, really... just a little easier for him) can get into this class easily after gaining 9th level with just a little planning ahead.

Invest some cash in a few 5th level spell scrolls that meet the requirements while you're leveling up. Then, when you reach 9th level, put them in your book. You now meet the spell knowledge requirement and can become an Archmage staring level 10.

Technically, a Sorcerer could get in at starting level 11 with a pocket full of Knowstones & maybe a custom Runestaff.

How are you fulfilling the skill requirements, 15 ranks in two skills, and the 7th level spell requirement before 12th level? Versatile Spellcaster might be able to get you in one spell level ahead, but let's not argue about it, and Primary Contact only works for one skill.

[Inevitability]

How are you fulfilling the skill requirements, 15 ranks in two skills, and the 7th level spell requirement before 12th level? Versatile Spellcaster might be able to get you in one spell level ahead, but let's not argue about it, and Primary Contact only works for one skill.

I believe the traditional way is to become a lycanthrope, use the raised skill cap to place the skills where needed, then get your lycanthropy cured (or cure it yourself, if you're a wizard).

[Dagroth]

How are you fulfilling the skill requirements, 15 ranks in two skills, and the 7th level spell requirement before 12th level? Versatile Spellcaster might be able to get you in one spell level ahead, but let's not argue about it, and Primary Contact only works for one skill.

Ah, I was only counting the 5 schools of 5th level spell knowledge requirement... sorry. :D

[Ruethgar]

Skills are easy, Bloodlines don't increase ECL for an easy +3 or a cheesy +76. Then Laborious Training for +2 on all Int skills puts you at 17 max in the relevant skills with just one bloodline, an awakened animal can also get some lovely free HD to boost the cap until your GM throws a book at you. 7th level arcane spells is a bit more tricky. Sanctum Earth Krau can get you a few levels, so there's that one for getting in at 10th lvl. Sorcerers can easily get in with a few limited races and a royal ****ton of luck.

[Rebel7284]

How are you fulfilling the skill requirements, 15 ranks in two skills, and the 7th level spell requirement before 12th level? Versatile Spellcaster might be able to get you in one spell level ahead, but let's not argue about it, and Primary Contact only works for one skill.

Codex Anathema + Primary Contact actually makes early entry possible. This is one of the rare cases where the codex is actually affordable by the time you need it for early entry. :)