Spellmaster vs Universalist wizard

[Aedh]

The differences are few, but seem important. Wondering what everyone’s mileage has been if they’ve tried them. On one hand, it appears the general universalist gets a couple more feats whereas the Spellmaster has a handy reup of any spell a few times a day and a bump in CL for a couple as well.

I see the benefit of the arcane bond uses, the CL seems of dubious use (at least one I haven’t found to capitalize on other than spells like magic middle or evocation spells that bump projectiles based on CL.

I’ve done a run with the universalist and had more meta magic than I knew what to do with, contemplating a Spellmaster run with more of a concentration on Enchantment/Summoning rather than Evo.

What’re your opinions on the two? How have you found they perform and what function were you using them in? What uses am I missing on the Focused spell ability?

Looking at pure caster, non Lich path.

[Aedh]

Missile, magic missile…..dang autocorrect.

[MjKorz]

Spell Master:

1. Focused Spells +4 CL increase allows you to get 24h 1round/level spells earlier than anyone else. It could be used to increase the caster level check bonus of your greater dispels as well.

2. Metamagic Mastery allows you to enhance spells with metamagic without increasing the level of the spell. Essentially, it's an extra use of a metamagic rod.

Is this worth the loss of two Wizard bonus feats? Absolutely not, unless you're playing a buffbot. Spell Master will end up at a -4 spell DC disadvantage relative to a regular Enchantment or Divination school specialist Wizard and is thus massively inferior in the role of an offensive DC caster. Spell Master is also irrelevant in the role of a ray caster, because the only Wizard that matters for that role is an Elemental Specialist.


Wizard with a Universalist school specialization:

Keeps their 5 bonus feats and gets to use Metamagic Mastery, i.e. bonus metamagic rod uses in practice. Still ends up being at a -2 spell DC disadvantage relative to an Enchanter or Diviner. Still is not an Elemental Specialist who can convert spell damage to pure fire. Still completely irrelevant.


So what's the meaningful difference between them? Spell Master can increase spell CL by 4 at the cost of two bonus feats (i.e. 2 spell DC). That's it.

[Sir Snuffles]

sorcerer is supreme :P wizards are just wannabes

[MjKorz]

Originally posted by Sir Snuffles:

sorcerer is supreme :P wizards are just wannabes

After the Touch of Glory nerf, the only thing Sorcerer is good for is being a dip class for the Wizard ;)))))