D&D 3.5 - Complete Mage [OEF]

CHAPTER 2
CHARACTER
OPTIONS
32
A paladin uses divine counterspell
to thwart an enemy wizard
ALTERNATIVE CLASS
FEATURE NAME
A general description of the ability
and why you should consider it.
Class: The class or
classes that can select
this class feature.
Level: The alternative
class feature
can be selected only
at this level. In some
cases, different levels
might be given for different
classes.
Special Requirement:
Any special
requirements that you
must meet before
selecting the alternative
class feature.
Many of the alternative
class features
described here require
1 or more ranks of a
Knowledge skill. Since
skill ranks are purchased
before class features are
selected (PH 58–59), you can
meet this requirement at the same level that
you gain the alternative class feature.
Replaces: The ability that you must sacrifice to gain the
alternative class feature.
Benefit: The mechanical effects of the new ability.
ARCANE HUNTER
Rangers learn to track and hunt creatures of a certain type
when choosing a favored enemy. Some rangers concern
themselves less with what a creature is, and more with what
it does. These rangers learn to identify signs of the arcane
and make it their business to combat those who use arcane
magic in opposition to their goals.
Class: Ranger.
Level: 1st.
Special Requirement: Knowledge (arcana) 1 rank.
Replaces: At 1st level, you do not select a favored enemy
from Table 3–14 in the Flayer's Handbook. At 5th, 10th, 15th,
and 20th level, you can choose favored enemies as normal.
Benefit: At 1st level, you gain favored enemy (arcanists).
This feature works just like the favored enemy ability (PH
47). The bonuses granted apply to any character capable of
casting arcane spells or using invocations (but not other
spell-like abilities).
ARCANE STUNT
Every swashbuckler relies on her agility and quick wit to
get her out of scrapes. Some take this a step farther, learning
magical tricks that boost their mobility or defense.
Class: Swashbuckler (see Complete
Warrior).
Level: 1st.
Special Requirement:
Knowledge (arcana) 1
rank.
Replaces: You lose the
grace class feature and all
later improvements to that
ability.
Benefit: Choose one
of the following spells:
blur, expeditious retreat,
feather fall, jump, or spider
climb. You can use that
spell-like ability as a swift
action (or, in the case of
feather fall, as an immediate
action); the duration
of the spell is reduced
to 1 round. Your caster
level is equal to your
swashbuckler level.
At 11th level, you can
choose a second spell-like
ability from the list above,
and the benefit gained from
both of these spell-like abilities lasts
for 2 rounds. At 20th level, you can choose a third spell-like
ability, and the benefit of each one lasts for 3 rounds.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal
to 1 + your Int modifier (minimum 1/day). Regardless of the
number of arcane stunts you possess, the same total daily
limit applies to their use—that is, each day, an 11th-level
swashbuckler with an Intelligence of 14 could use one of
his spell-like abilities three times or one ability twice and
the other once.
ARMORED MAGE
Rare is the fighter who hasn't envied the wizard's bag of
magical tricks. Although even the most basic arcane spell
remains beyond a fighter's abilities, those who aspire to
such talents can, with practice, learn to cast simple arcane
spells while wearing light armor. On its own, this alternative
feature grants little benefit to a single-classed fighter; only
in conjunction with one or more levels of sorcerer, wizard,
or a similar arcane spellcasting class does this ability come
into play.
Class: Fighter.
Level: 1st.
Special Requirement: Knowledge (arcana) 1 rank.
Replaces: You lose proficiency with medium armor and
heavy armor.
Benefit: Choose one arcane spellcasting class, such as
sorcerer. You can avoid any chance of arcane spell failure for
spells gained from this class as long as you restrict yourself to
light armor and light shields. This training does not extend