How do they enter Master specialist at lvl 2?

[Zhepna]

Hi,

I often see build like Wizard 2/Master Specialist 4/Shadowcrafter x on the internet but I don’t understand how they can enter this early into master specialist.

I want to take Master specialist prestige class at lvl 3 like they do but I seem to miss a feat.

To enter the Master specialist I need to meet those requirements:
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks , Spellcraft 5 ranks
Feats: Spell Focus (school of specialization)
Spellcasting: Must be able to cast 2nd-level arcane spells.
Special: Must be a specialist wizard.

I’m a wizard with the magic-blooded template so I have +2 to Knowledge (arcana) and +2 to Spellcraft. Both of those skills are class skill so at lvl 1 I put 4 points in them, they are at 6 each at lvl 1. My first level is gnome illusionist racial substitution so I count as a specialized wizard.

We have 2 flaws. With the first level feat, I have a total of 3 feats

To simulate a lvl 2 spell at lvl 2, from what I understand, they put a +1 heightened cantrip in a 1st level slot, and it counts as a 2nd level spell via earth spell. Unless you can't delay any of your other feats.

My problem is that I seem to miss a feat to do that
Spell Focus Illusion to enter the class
Heighten Spell,
Earth sense is required to take Earth spell
Earth spell

The following things are not mentioned so it doesn't seem to apply:
Precocious Apprentice
NPC shuffle chaos (I think it would cost 4900 gp)
I cannot take the forlorn flaw from Dragon 333 that trade the familiar for a feat because the Illusionist variant already ate my familiar.

If I can find where they take this 4th feat, I think I could even be Gnome lvl 1/master specialist lvl 4 because I meet all the other requirements at lvl 1

After that they are able to take Shadowcraft Mage at lvl 6 by doing this:

Earth Spell -) Heighten a 0-level spell to a 1st level slot and it counts as a 2nd level spell. Heighten a Dark Way (SC) to a 3rd level slot and it counts as a 4th level spell, which qualifies you for Shadowcraft Mage early enough to start taking it at 6th level.

I try to find a way to do

lvl 1 gnome illusionist racial substitution /Master Specialist4/Shadowcraft Mage 5/incantatrix10

I probably miss something easy to find but I spend a few hours trying to figure it out and I can't find it.

Thanks for the information and have a nice day.

[Gauntlet]

The '5 ranks' requirement means that you can't enter at 1 barring much more work - the Magic-Blooded and similar bonuses don't give additional ranks.

To get the extra feat, the most direct route would be to play a Human or Strongheart Halfling and use the Shadowcraft Mage variant class which doesn't require you to be a gnome.

[Kaleph]

Wouldn't sanctum spell or precocious apprentice be quicker ways to qualify as casting 2nd level spell? I'm ignoring improved sigil (krau) because you don't want to be an illumian.

In any case, I understand that you want to play a killer gnome; as I said previously in another post, the shadwocraft mage in overpowered under the typical "average" PO-conditions. Don't you think you are maybe exagerating a bit with all this TO tricks and early entries? I believe that I've never needed then in any real game.



I cannot take the forlorn flaw from Dragon 333 that trade the familiar for a feat because the Illusionist variant already ate my familiar.

IMHO, familiar > bonus feat > chain of disbelief.

[Aotrs Commander]

The '5 ranks' requirement means that you can't enter at 1 barring much more work - the Magic-Blooded and similar bonuses don't give additional ranks.

To get the extra feat, the most direct route would be to play a Human or Strongheart Halfling and use the Shadowcraft Mage variant class which doesn't require you to be a gnome.

I'm not sure there's anything in 3.5 that gives you addiitonal skill RANKS, though my knowledge of the more perhipheral sourcebooks is not encyclopdic by any means.

[Kaleph]

I'm not sure there's anything in 3.5 that gives you addiitonal skill RANKS, though my knowledge of the more perhipheral sourcebooks is not encyclopdic by any means.

I know two sources:

Open mindedEPH/CAdv: gives 5 skill points you can invest in ranks, but unfortunately it doesn't increase the maximum rank,
Primary contactCity: gives 1 skill points you can invest in a rank, even exceeding the maximum.

[Gauntlet]

I'm not sure there's anything in 3.5 that gives you addiitonal skill RANKS, though my knowledge of the more perhipheral sourcebooks is not encyclopdic by any means.

There's a feat in Cityscape that increases your rank cap by 1 for one specific skill. Alternatively, you could contract Lycanthropy for a while and then get it cured. But there aren't any options that don't veer towards the impractical.

[ExLibrisMortis]

I'm not sure there's anything in 3.5 that gives you addiitonal skill RANKS, though my knowledge of the more perhipheral sourcebooks is not encyclopdic by any means.
There is one feat (Primary Contact) in Cityscape. It only gives you one extra rank, and it requires a feat. The Codex Anathema (a magic item) grants some skill ranks, including 2 ranks in Knowledge (Arcana). In theory, a first-level human wizard could read the Codex (37 500 gp), take Favoured and Primary Contact with flaws, take Precocious Apprentice and Spell Focus with their starting feats, and enter Master Specialist at ECL 2. You're only breaking WBL by a factor 100, but that's all in your backstory, right :smalltongue:?

[tstewt1921]

To my knowledge, I don't think you can enter at 2, I believe 3 would be the earliest, because to cast a second level spell you have to have the spell slot available and a bonus spell per day to my knowledge does not count as an available slot. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ruethgar]

I'm not sure there's anything in 3.5 that gives you addiitonal skill RANKS, though my knowledge of the more perhipheral sourcebooks is not encyclopdic by any means.

There is also the Laborious Training feat from Ravenloft for +2 max ranks Int skills only and Bloodlines, however those are so poorly written that most GMs just say no or correct them into something reasonable.

Is the gnome sub level considered an ABC or ACF? It is important to know.

Edit: If it is an ABC, then you get a feat you can throw away at second level from Light Armor Proficiency granting itself to you.

You could also become undead and get taint.

[KillianHawkeye]

To my knowledge, I don't think you can enter at 2, I believe 3 would be the earliest, because to cast a second level spell you have to have the spell slot available and a bonus spell per day to my knowledge does not count as an available slot. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

You're correct. Bonus spell slots from a high ability score to not become accessible until your class grants you spell slots of the appropriate level.

[Fouredged Sword]

You're correct. Bonus spell slots from a high ability score to not become accessible until your class grants you spell slots of the appropriate level.

Technically they become available as soon as your class has a number on their spell slot chart even if that number is zero. There are several classes that have zero entries on their spells per level so at that level they ONLY get bonus spells of that level. For example a 4th level paladin get's his bonus 1st level spell slots. Your class does not need to actually give you a slot. 0+1 is 1. -+1 is nothing.

[PrismCat21]

~snip~

All you did was phrase what KillianHawkeye said in a different way. Granting a spell slot of 0 is still granting access to that spell level. KillianHawkeye was confirming what someone else said with added clarification.
You are agreeing with them.

[KillianHawkeye]

Yes, that is what I meant, but thank you for the extra clarification.