Matrix Mage (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

A spontaneous wizard creates and uses magical matrices, and then channels energy through these matrices to cast spells in a way similar to a sorcerer.

Class Abilities

Spell Matrix

When preparing spells, a spontaneous wizard selects a number of spells from his spellbook equal to his number of spells per day. This number is not modified for a high Intelligence score; the numbers on the table are fixed. During the day, the spontaneous wizard can use any of his spell matrices to cast the prepared spell, expending one of his daily spell slots to do so much like a sorcerer does.

Spell matrices are magical constructs, and must be placed inside physical objects, usually crystals or gemstones worn as rings or pendants. Other options include placing the matrices in small scrolls, runes marked on sticks or cards, or as small fetishes. As a further option, a spontaneous wizard can use his arcane bond to place some or all spell matrices in a a familiar or bonded object. Whatever option is used, the matrix must be within 30 ft. and visible to the wizard to be used, or he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell's level. Unless the matrix object is also a bonded object, it does not take up an item slot.

Metamagic

If a spontaneous wizard knows any metamagic feats, she applies them to her spells when she creates spell matrices for the day. For example, a spontaneous wizard might choose to prepare an empowered fireball by using a 5th-level spell slot. Any time she uses fireball during the ensuing day, she must use a 5th-level spell slot to cast it, and it is always empowered. A spontaneous wizard could use a 3rd-level spell slot and a 5th-level spell slot to retrieve fireball and empowered fireball if she wanted to have both spells available to her in a day. A spontaneous wizard cannot choose to alter her spells with metamagic feats on the fly, as other spontaneous casters do. Spontaneous wizard using metamagic feats do not have an increased casting time as sorcerers do.

This ability replaces arcane school.

Summary of Changed Class Abilities

These abilities of the original class are lost or modified in this archetype:

• Arcane school