Casting: The sphere arcanist may combine spheres and talents to create magical effects. The sphere arcanist is considered a High-Caster and uses Intelligence as her casting ability modifier. (Note: All casters gain 2 bonus talents and may select a casting tradition the first time they gain the casting class feature.)
This replaces the spells class feature.
Spell Pool: The sphere arcanist gains a small reservoir of energy she can call on to create truly wondrous effects, called a spell pool. This pool contains a number of spell points equal to her class level + her Intelligence modifier. This pool replenishes once per day after roughly 8 hours of rest.
Arcane Reservoir: A sphere arcanist gains an arcane reservoir as normal, and may spend arcane points to increase the DC or caster level of sphere effects just as with spells.
Magic Talents: A sphere arcanist gains a magic talent at 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter. However, unlike most casters, an arcanist is able to change their talents as they desire. Whenever the sphere arcanist rests to regain spell points, she may change any and all magic talents gained from sphere arcanist levels, choosing new spheres and new talents. Magic talents gained as part of levels taken in other classes, as part of the 2 bonus talents all casters gain they first gain the casting class feature, or magic talents gained from taking the Extra Magic Talent feat are not eligible to be changed in this fashion.
Consume Spells: As a move action, a sphere arcanist may consume one spell point to add three arcane points to their arcane reservoir. Points gained in excess of the reservoir’s maximum are lost.
This alters the consume spells class feature.
Arcanist Exploits: The following arcanist exploits behave differently when taken by a sphere arcanist:
- Quick Study (Ex): As a full-round action that provokes an attack of opportunity, the sphere arcanist may spend 1 point from her arcane reservoir to change one of her selected magic talents to a different magic talent.
- Consume Magic Items (Su): This exploit behaves the same as written, except when consuming a magic item created through the Spheres of Power system, the arcanist gains a number of points for their arcane reservoir equal to 1/4th of the item’s caster level. Wands are consumed as if they were staves.
- Counterspell (Su): As an immediate action, the sphere arcanist may spend a point from their arcane reservoir to attempt a Spellcraft check to identify a spell or sphere effect as it is being cast. If the effect is successfully identified, she may spend 1 spell point to attempt to counter the spell, as the Counterspell Feat. This arcanist exploit cannot benefit from feats that augment counterspelling, such as Improved Counterspell, Greater Counterspell, or Counterspell Mastery.
- Counter Drain (Su): This exploit behaves the same as written, except when countering a sphere effect, the arcanist gains a number of arcane points equal to the number of spell points spent as part of the countered sphere effect.
- Greater Counterspell (Su): When using the counterspell exploit, you may spend a second spell point to gain a +5 bonus to your dispel check. You must possess the Counterspell exploit to select this greater exploit.
- Resistance Drain (Su): This exploit behaves the same as written, except when used on a sphere effect, it grants the target a number of temporary arcane points equal to the number of spell points spent as part of the resisted sphere effect.
- Suffering Knowledge (Su): This exploit behaves the same as written, except when the arcanist is targeted by an enemy sphere ability, When the arcanist fails a saving throw against a sphere ability cast by an enemy, as an immediate action she can expend 1 point from her arcane reservoir to gain the ability to recreate that sphere effect for a number of rounds equal to the arcanist’s Charisma modifier (minimum: 1). The sphere effect costs as many spell points and possesses as many magic talents as it did when the arcanist failed her saving throw, but the caster level is determined by the arcanist herself.
Magical Supremacy (Su): At 20th level, the arcanist may spend arcane points instead of spell points when creating sphere effects. She may spend 3 points from her arcane reservoir in place of a spell point when creating a sphere effect.
Recommended Casting Tradition: The classic feel of the hunter can be recreated through taking the traditional magic casting tradition.
