Archmage confusions

[the_flame_of_anor]

I read somewhere on the forum that the DC for an archmage's SLA is actually lower than that of a memorized spell -- is this still the case?

Can a SLA Mord be used for the purpose of counterspelling? Or only memorized Mords can?

I'm still excruciatingly confused by how spell slots are sacrificed... The wiki says memorized spells are sacrificed alphabetically, while the forum description says this:

***EXAMPLE OF SPELL ORDERING:
Six slot example

Spell1 , Spell2, Spell3, Spell6, Spell4, Spell5

Spell6, being the last added spell is the one sacrificed.

Could someone please enlighten me how spell slots are sacrificed?

If alphabetical, then in the following examples:

Bull's strength in memorized slot 1, Cat's grace in memorized slot 2, other spells starting with D onwards in the rest of the slots -- Bull's strength in slot 1 will be sacrificed?

And if it's Cat's grace in memorized slot 1, Bull strength's in memorized slot 2, other spells starting with D onwards in the rest of the slots -- Bull's strength in slot 2 will be sacrificed instead?

[CleverUsername123]

I read somewhere on the forum that the DC for an archmage's SLA is actually lower than that of a memorized spell -- is this still the case?

Can a SLA Mord be used for the purpose of counterspelling? Or only memorized Mords can?

I'm still excruciatingly confused by how spell slots are sacrificed... The wiki says memorized spells are sacrificed alphabetically, while the forum description says this:

***EXAMPLE OF SPELL ORDERING:
Six slot example

Spell1 , Spell2, Spell3, Spell6, Spell4, Spell5

Spell6, being the last added spell is the one sacrificed.

Could someone please enlighten me how spell slots are sacrificed?

If alphabetical, then in the following examples:

Bull's strength in memorized slot 1, Cat's grace in memorized slot 2, other spells starting with D onwards in the rest of the slots -- Bull's strength in slot 1 will be sacrificed?

And if it's Cat's grace in memorized slot 1, Bull strength's in memorized slot 2, other spells starting with D onwards in the rest of the slots -- Bull's strength in slot 2 will be sacrificed instead?

As someone with 3 levels in archmage for now post-RCR and 8 levels pre-RCR, it does work alphabetically. If you have four slots, with spells named 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D' memorized...

-If none of them are metamagic, it'll always pick A.
-If A is metamagic and B isn't, it picks B.
-If A and B are metamagic and C isn't, it picks C.
-If A, B, and C are metamagic and D isn't, it picks D.

This happens no matter what order they're memorized in. I don't know what happens if D is metamagic too.

[the_flame_of_anor]

As someone with 3 levels in archmage for now post-RCR and 8 levels pre-RCR, it does work alphabetically. If you have four slots, with spells named 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D' memorized...

-If none of them are metamagic, it'll always pick A.
-If A is metamagic and B isn't, it picks B.
-If A and B are metamagic and C isn't, it picks C.
-If A, B, and C are metamagic and D isn't, it picks D.

This happens no matter what order they're memorized in. I don't know what happens if D is metamagic too.

Thanks!

Managed to speak with mrm3ntalist and tsidkenu in-game on the other 2 questions:

1. DCs of SLAs are indeed lower compared to their memorized versions

2. Counterspelling mechanic doesn't check for SLAs i.e. a SLA mord can't be used for counterspelling purposes

[Valefort]

Can Archmage players tell me what's wrong with the DCs on SLAs ? Which DC they have compared to which one is expected.

[Pimple]

Dismissal gave me a DC of 1 on the Cloud Peaks and Graypeaks and often failed to spell resistance on the rock elementals in the Nashkel mines. I can't be entirely sure if I'm imagining this second difference, but that hasn't happened to me with the spell memorized.

[the_flame_of_anor]

I RCRed into an AM recently but because of the subpar DCs, I RCRed again. So I don't have any screenshots or precise numbers to quote, but IIRC, my Wail SLA DC was a few points lower than what it should be.

[sivsta]

I'm hoping to take advantage of the ArchMage SLA DCs soon. I'm hoping this gets some more attention. If other people have noticed this issue, please chime in.

[Deathgrowl]

I'm still excruciatingly confused by how spell slots are sacrificed... The wiki says memorized spells are sacrificed alphabetically, while the forum description says this:

***EXAMPLE OF SPELL ORDERING:
Six slot example

Spell1 , Spell2, Spell3, Spell6, Spell4, Spell5

Spell6, being the last added spell is the one sacrificed.

Could someone please enlighten me how spell slots are sacrificed?

On my archmage i have spell power 1 and 2, which means spell slots for level 5 and 7.

I prepare an Arc Lightning in the first slot on level 5 and an Avasculate in the first slot on level 7. These are sacrificed when I rest.

So that looks to me like it's alphabetical OR slot 1.

[Valefort]

It's alphabetic.

[the_flame_of_anor]

Can Archmage players tell me what's wrong with the DCs on SLAs ? Which DC they have compared to which one is expected.

Valefort,
Besides the anecdotal examples of low DCs on SLAs, it also says on the AM entry on the BG wiki:

Notes:
The DC is not calculated the same as a normal Spell. SLAs have lower DC

[Valefort]

Right but that doesn't give me any details I can work with and my time is not unlimited, if AM players can post a few examples of DC being lowered than what they should be (with a breakdown of the CL and feats please) then I can start looking.

[the_flame_of_anor]

Right but that doesn't give me any details I can work with and my time is not unlimited, if AM players can post a few examples of DC being lowered than what they should be (with a breakdown of the CL and feats please) then I can start looking.

I know. I wish I could help specifically but I've already RCRed away my AM.

Am keeping this thread active so that other AM players can chime in.

[Babuguuscooties]

Right but that doesn't give me any details I can work with and my time is not unlimited, if AM players can post a few examples of DC being lowered than what they should be (with a breakdown of the CL and feats please) then I can start looking.

I know. I wish I could help specifically but I've already RCRed away my AM.

Am keeping this thread active so that other AM players can chime in.

I'm still 4 levels away from AM, but if I get there in time I'll gladly try and help here.

[CleverUsername123]

My only SLA was Greater Missile Storm so I can't help much. It doesn't have a save attached.