Class Archetype · Beta
True Arcane
“The truth to controlling the powers of the arcane is understanding that you are not its master — only its guide.”
—Nicodemus, True Arcane
Every so often, a rarity occurs: a Sorcerer who devotes her life to the study of spells, or a Wizard who discovers that magic was always her birthright. The path to becoming a True Arcane is never the same, but the destination is unmistakable. Those who walk it learn that the old division between instinct and discipline was never as absolute as the academies claimed — that natural talent and rigorous study are not opposites, but two hands reaching for the same power. A True Arcane may never match the raw ceiling of those who walk a single path, but she wields something no pure specialist ever will: a unified understanding of what arcane magic actually is.
Becoming a True Arcane
Due to the specific requirements of the True Arcane, levels in both sorcerer and wizard are the most common path of entry. It may be possible for members of other arcane spellcasting classes to qualify under specific circumstances, but such a combination is rare.
Entry Requirements
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, Spellcraft 5 ranks.
Feats: Any one metamagic feat.
Spellcasting: Able to cast 1st-level arcane spells spontaneously; able to prepare and cast 2nd-level arcane spells from a spellbook. Only these two arcane spellcasting classes benefit from the class’s spellcasting advancement.
Bloodline: Must possess the Arcane Bloodline.
Hit Die: d6.
Class Skills
The True Arcane’s class skills are Fly (Dex), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (planes) (Int), Linguistics (Int), Perception (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Ranks at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Progression
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spellcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Arcane Insight +1, Blood of the Arcane | +1 level of lower arcane casting class |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Arcane Understanding (1st) | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 3rd | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Spontaneous Metamagic, Metamagic Comprehension | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 4th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Arcane Insight +2, Arcane Understanding (2nd) | +1 level of lower arcane casting class |
| 5th | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 6th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Arcane Understanding (3rd), Metamagic Comprehension | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 7th | +3 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Arcane Insight +3 | +1 level of lower arcane casting class |
| 8th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Arcane Understanding (4th) | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 9th | +4 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Bonus Feat, Metamagic Comprehension | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 10th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Arcane Insight +4, Arcane Understanding (5th) | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 11th | +5 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Bonus Feat | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 12th | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Arcane Understanding (6th), Metamagic Comprehension | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 13th | +6 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Arcane Insight +5 | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 14th | +7 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Arcane Understanding (7th), Metamagic Comprehension | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
| 15th | +7 | +5 | +5 | +9 | Mysterious Arcane | +1 level of each arcane casting class |
Class Features
The following are the class features of the True Arcane.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
The True Arcane gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Spellcasting
At each level except 1st, 4th, and 7th, the True Arcane gains new spells per day and an increase in caster level — and spells known, if applicable — as if she had also gained a level in both her prepared arcane spellcasting class and her spontaneous arcane spellcasting class. She does not gain any other benefits those classes would have granted.
At 1st, 4th, and 7th level, she gains this advancement only in the lower of her two arcane spellcasting classes, drawing the weaker tradition up toward parity with the stronger. If both arcane spellcasting classes share an equal caster level when one of these advancements is gained, the True Arcane may apply it to either class of her choice.
Blood of the Arcane
At 1st level, the True Arcane adds her class level to her sorcerer levels when determining the powers and abilities granted by her bloodline.
Additionally, her two arcane natures have begun to converge. The True Arcane may use the higher of her Intelligence or Charisma modifier to determine the highest level of spells she can access in each of her arcane spellcasting classes, replacing the normal ability score minimum for that class. A True Arcane with Intelligence 14 and Charisma 18, for example, may prepare and cast spells of up to 8th level in her wizard class — the same threshold her Charisma 18 sets for her sorcerer class — even though her Intelligence alone would limit her to 4th-level wizard spells.
This applies to spell level access only. Spell save DCs, bonus spells per day, and spells known are still governed by each class’s normal casting ability score.
Arcane Insight (Ex)
At 1st level, the True Arcane’s unified understanding of arcane magic increases her effective caster level for all arcane spells by 1. This bonus increases to +2 at 4th level, +3 at 7th level, +4 at 10th level, and +5 at 13th level.
Arcane Understanding (Ex)
At 2nd level, the True Arcane’s mastery of both arcane traditions lets her carry knowledge between them. She may permanently add a number of spells from her wizard spellbook to her spontaneous spell list equal to the higher of her Intelligence or Charisma modifier (minimum 1). These selections are made when the ability is gained or improves and are permanent.
At 2nd level, only 1st-level spells may be added. The maximum spell level she may transfer increases by one every two class levels: up to 2nd level at 4th, 3rd level at 6th, 4th level at 8th, 5th level at 10th, 6th level at 12th, and 7th level at 14th.
Spontaneous Metamagic (Su)
Starting at 3rd level, the True Arcane can sacrifice a spontaneous spell slot to apply the effect of a metamagic feat she knows to a prepared spell from her other arcane class. The sacrificed slot is expended as if the spell had been cast, in addition to the prepared spell itself. The level of the prepared spell being augmented cannot exceed half the True Arcane’s class level (rounded down) — 1st-level spells at 3rd class level, up to 7th-level spells at 15th. The level of the slot sacrificed must equal or exceed the spell level adjustment of the metamagic feat applied. This ability cannot be used on a spell already affected by a metamagic feat.
The True Arcane may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + half her class level (rounded down).
Metamagic Comprehension (Su)
At 3rd level, and again at 6th, 9th, 12th, and 14th level, the True Arcane selects one metamagic feat she possesses. The spell level adjustment of that feat is reduced by 1 (minimum adjustment of 1). She may select the same feat multiple times to continue reducing its cost, or choose a different feat at each opportunity.
Bonus Feat
At 5th level, and again at 9th and 11th level, the True Arcane gains a bonus metamagic feat for which she meets all prerequisites.
Mysterious Arcane
At 15th level, the True Arcane’s command of one metamagic technique becomes so complete it flows without effort. She selects one metamagic feat she has modified with Metamagic Comprehension. When she applies that feat using Spontaneous Metamagic, it does not count against her daily uses of that ability.