Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder Rogue's spell-casting abilities

[joela]

I'm surprised no one brought it up.

Pathfinder rogues now have access to casting zero and first level spells as part of their "rogue talent" selection. Spell-like abilities, the class can use them twice a day.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I can see the argument for it, but I'm not really sold on it, myself. Perhaps if the SLAs were from a more restricted list, or could only be of certain types. . .

I don't mind extraordinary, or even supernatural - (Su) - abilities so much for Rogue types. Things like Blindsight or Tremorsense, for example.

Not sure exactly where I'd draw the line. But I know it would be somewhere closer in than where the Alpha release currently has it.

 

[Roman]

I don't like it either. Whereas I do think there should be a way for characters to obtain minor magical abilities for flavor reasons without taking a level in a magical class, I don't think they should be class features of non-magical classes. I would instead like to see something like an "Arcane Blood" (or "Divine Connection" feat, that would work in a similar fashion to a the Psionic "Wild Talent" feat in that it would grant some access to arcane (or divine) magic. It could enable taking 0th level spells as spell-like abilities (perhaps one feat per 0th level spell/cantrip/orison and maybe after the character gets a 0th level spell, he can spend another feat to get a first level spell from the same school).

 

[Scurvy_Platypus]

*shrug*

I thought they were nifty, but figured the 3.5ers would bitch about 'em and they'd get dumped.

I would instead like to see something like an "Arcane Blood" (or "Divine Connection" feat, that would work in a similar fashion to a the Psionic "Wild Talent" feat in that it would grant some access to arcane (or divine) magic.

Why does everything have to be a feat? From WotC alone we've got something like over a thousand feats. And that's after pulling out duplicates. If you just look at their feat index, they've got more than 3 THOUSAND entries.

Besides, it's an almost worthless ability anyway. And they're already being granted like they're feats. It's just they're like Rogue Bonus Feats, rather like Fighters.

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Minor Magic (Sp): A rogue with this talent gains the ability to cast a 0-level spell from the wizard/sorcerer spell list.

Major Magic (Sp): A rogue with this talent gains the ability to cast a 1st-level spell from the wizard/sorcerer spell list.

In both cases they're can be cast twice a day. Looking at it, I see that they're picking a single spell. A zero level spell twice a day and a first level spell twice a day? I don't see the big deal. Especially since taking it means not being able to take Fast Stealth, Finesse Rogue, Slow Reactions, Slow Reactions until 6th level. Being able to do Mage Armor would be nice, but I'm not sure it's really worth giving up the other stuff until 6th level to do it.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

A Rogue with some minor magic abilities isn't my cup of tea but I think it's a good way to make that type of character open to people who want it. Like Scurvy_Platypus said, it's basically a bonus feat for those who want it. And it's one magical option out of a bunch of mundane options for the Rogue, so overall the Rogue doesn't lose its mundane flavor.

 

[BryonD]

I really like them as options.
There are a ton of options available, and you could make a hundred great rogues without ever touching these choices.
But if you want to make a dabbler-rogue, then that option is there as well.
If the DM doesn't want them, just say so up front.

 

[GlassJaw]

I really like them as options.
There are a ton of options available, and you could make a hundred great rogues without ever touching these choices.
But if you want to make a dabbler-rogue, then that option is there as well.
If the DM doesn't want them, just say so up front.

I'd rather see a system that fixes the multiclass caster problem rather than offer band-aid fixes (which also looks like what 4E is doing with multiclass casters).

Overall, my impression of the Pathfinder is that it's a great resource for class options but it's essentially avoiding most of the significant core problems.

 

[BryonD]

I'd rather see a system that fixes the multiclass caster problem rather than offer band-aid fixes (which also looks like what 4E is doing with multiclass casters).

Overall, my impression of the Pathfinder is that it's a great resource for class options but it's essentially avoiding most of the significant core problems.

I don't see this as a band-aid fix for a Rogue/Wizard or Rogue/Sorcerer.
If it is meant to be then I agree with you, this doesn't cut it.

But I see this as an option for pure Rogues with a dash of magic built in to that single class idea.

I'd rather see a real fix for multiclassing as well, but whether we get that or not I like seeing this stay in.

 

[BryonD]

Overall, my impression of the Pathfinder is that it's a great resource for class options but it's essentially avoiding most of the significant core problems.

Maybe somebody can help them with that.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Maybe somebody can help them with that.

Well, there are those crazy designers and developers from Wizards of the Coast, those certainly have the expertise...

Otherwise, I am not really sure if the Rogue needs the ability to cast a few spells - I mean, what's his Use Magic Device skill for? But on the other hand, it probably doesn't hurt that much, and it's certainly forced upon anyone, unlike Ranger or Paladin spells...