What does Alternate Spell Source do?

[Jeffrie]

I'm working on a dual caster and wonder if it's a useful feat.
Type: Metamagic
Source: Dragon #325
You can prepare any of your spells as either divine or arcane.
Prerequisite: Ability to cast both divine and arcane spells.
Benefit: You can choose to prepare any of your divine spells as arcane spells or any of your arcane spells as divine spells. An alternative-sourced spell uses up a spell slot from the class that normally grants the spell. Such a spell is prepared normally. An alternative-sourced spell is cast as if your caster level were 1 level lower. For example, a 1st-level cleric/6th-level wizard casts a divine fireball as a 5th-level wizard.

It seems to me that a cleric spell is still taken from the cleric list, and uses the same slot, but at a lower level.

Is it used to attack specific opponents? example?

 

[Dandu]

Congratulations, you can now get into Dweomerkeeper without loosing any caster levels.

 

[Jeffrie]

So, it can qualify you for a PrC that requires both divine and arcane.

Is it useful for any other purpose?

Are there creatures who have spell resistance to just one magic type?

 

[FEADIN]

They are very few and that's more a malus or bonus on save than a specific spell resistance.
May be it can impact the Divine metamagic feats or such.

 

[Jeffrie]

Oh, yeah, of course. So a cleric wizard could switch ALL her metamagic and divine metamagic feats around. And in fact without ASS (heh) you can't switch ANY of them. Right?

Boyo, that is really kinda cool.

So, i'm trying to think of a use for it... let me see if i have this right.

A cleric/wizard with the feats ASS, and Sudden Silent could prepare any/all of her divine spells as arcane spells. Then when the time was right, CAST THE CLERIC SPELL SILENTLY.

Right?

I'm glad you answered. I'll have to seriously consider that feat.

 

[steenan]

One more thing to consider is that divine spells don't suffer from arcane spell failure. You may prepare all your arcane spell as divine ones and cast in full plate with no problems.

 

[Jeffrie]

nice.

 

[a-d]

The character I'm using right now doesn't care for god/desses and is looking for ways to access healing/restoration/revive dead magic.

Could this feat allow them to convert a divine spell into arcane? Not call on the god/desses at all?

Would taking this feat allow them to implant an arcane version of a divine spell onto a scroll or into a wonderous item?

To place the converted divine spell into their spellbook? And share that with others?