Noob question RE: Scholars and Sorcery

[jolt]

I must be blind. I cannot find where it states what spells a Scholar actually starts with (or learns when he picks up a new style). Also, when leveling up, what's the difference between learning an Advanced Spell versus a Bonus spell? In fact, I can't find where the term Advanced Spell is used anywhere else. Maybe the words are like fnords and my eyes are just skipping over them. I never played 1st edition and I was making a few sample characters but when I came to the Scholar I just couldn't figure out what spells I was supposed to start with. Thanks.

jolt

 

[Malcadon]

The funny thing is that spellcasting is purely optional for Scholars. A Scholar can go to level 20 without ever learning a single spell. You have the option to learn a Feat instead of a New Sorcery Style, and more Skill Points instead of Advanced Spells. A non-spellcasting Scholar is just a sage.

If you what to be a spellcaster (called a Sorcerer), then you learn a Sorcery Style (Counter Spell, Nature, and so forth) at any level a New Sorcery Style is called for. With your first Sorcery Style, you get the Basic Spell and a Defensive Blast for free. Each time you get a New Sorcery Style, you always get a Basic Spell but now each Defensive Blast counts as an Advanced Spell. Once you have a Basic Spell, you can get Advanced Spells of that Sorcery Style as you gain levels (and if you meat the other requirements to get such spells). At some points, you get more spells through Bonus Spells, and the amount is based on your Int bonus.

If you choose the Acolyte Background, then you are limited to a set of spells per level. This is listed on page 282 (2nd ed), or up to the GM.

Most of what you ask are answered on the Scholar section from the classes.

 

[LilithsThrall]

I must be blind. I cannot find where it states what spells a Scholar actually starts with (or learns when he picks up a new style). Also, when leveling up, what's the difference between learning an Advanced Spell versus a Bonus spell? In fact, I can't find where the term Advanced Spell is used anywhere else. Maybe the words are like fnords and my eyes are just skipping over them. I never played 1st edition and I was making a few sample characters but when I came to the Scholar I just couldn't figure out what spells I was supposed to start with. Thanks.

jolt

Just for learning purposes, make the first Sorcerer you make an Acolyte. See page 282. Once you get the hang of it, then make an Independent. I think you'll find it easier to learn the rules that way.
Making Sorcerers can be confusing.

 

[Sutek]

I think it's also confusing that it doesn't say "Basic Spell" or "Advanced Spell" on anything. I was confused the first time I delved into sorcery too.

 

[Clovenhoof]

Well the spell list does read "Basic XYZ" and so on, I'm not sure what you mean.

What I find the most difficult about building a sorcerer is keeping an eye on the prereqs for the advanced spells. If you forget to bump some skills, or to take some feats, or simply take a style too early, you may discover you don't qualify for _any_ new spell on levelup.
For example (1E), you may take Necromancy at 4th level, but the lowest Advanced Spell effectively requires 10th level (MAB+5), so if your 1st style doesn't have many spells at low levels either, you'll be forced to taking skill points and lose out on those spell slots forever.