Do Wizards get Spellcasting?

[knight.errant]

So I'm pretty sure that Spellcasting is only granted by your class--not your Specialty, but I'm still a little confused. Does the Wizard get the Spellcasting skill?

Thanks.

[spinningdice]

No,  Wizard (& Sorceror) are pretty pointless to take if you're not being a Mage.

[knight.errant]

That's what I thought. Thanks again.

[ThatBlastedSamophlange]

The option of taking Spellcasting as an origin skill is valid I do believe.

[spinningdice]

Hmm, According the Spellcasting skill:

Mages and other arcane casters can spend skill points to purchase ranks in the Spellcasting skill, which is only available
to characters with a Casting Level of 1 or higher. Spellcasting operates like any other skill.

Which could be taken to mean that Priests and other characters with a caster level could take it? If they used an Origin Skill pick.
Mages get the ability:

At Level 1, you may purchase ranks in the Spellcasting skill

Which in retrospect probably means that they count it as a class skill.

I think you could take it as an Origin Skill provided you had a Caster Level of 1, but I'm not sure I see the point really.
A query I do have from this, is that Spellcasting doesn't appear to be an actual Class Skill of the Mage, so once you have a level of Mage can you take ranks in Spellcasting under any class?

[Crafty_Alex]

The option of taking Spellcasting as an origin skill is valid I do believe.

It is not, just like you can't take it with Breadth of Experience. You must first be an arcane caster (as defined at the beginning of Chapter 3). The Spellcasting skill may only be accessed through a class ability like Subtle and Quick to Anger, Path of the Crucible, or the Magic Path. That is why Spellcasting is in Chapter 3, not Chapter 2.

[ThatBlastedSamophlange]

I overlooked that. 

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?  I believe it was said, I think by you Crafty_Alex, that you do effectively get the free ranks, even though you haven't paid for them, making them not so much ranks but a bonus?

[Deral]

I overlooked that. 

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?  I believe it was said, I think by you Crafty_Alex, that you do effectively get the free ranks, even though you haven't paid for them, making them not so much ranks but a bonus?

They did a pretty good job covering their bases with this one, the only way this can come up in the rules as far as I can see is a Dark Elf with both of the spider X feats, basic skill mastery and Talented, but you need Caster Level 1+ to take the second Spider feat and I suspect they might've intended to change that to Spellcasting 1+, I'm not sure. Still, if not you could manage it as a priest, paladin or with The Gift, though you still wouldn't have any spell points (and it costs four feats, not really worth the price since without spell points The Gift gives something comparable.

[Wolverine]

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?

Wouldn't it work like every other Linked Skills option. You only get the free ranks if you are not currently at your maximum. Thus, if you had no access to Spellcasting you couldn't put ranks into it and wouldn't get the bonus.

[Mister Andersen]

The option of taking Spellcasting as an origin skill is valid I do believe.

It is not, just like you can't take it with Breadth of Experience. You must first be an arcane caster (as defined at the beginning of Chapter 3). The Spellcasting skill may only be accessed through a class ability like Subtle and Quick to Anger, Path of the Crucible, or the Magic Path. That is why Spellcasting is in Chapter 3, not Chapter 2.

What if you take Mage as your 1st class?

[Crafty_Alex]

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?  I believe it was said, I think by you Crafty_Alex, that you do effectively get the free ranks, even though you haven't paid for them, making them not so much ranks but a bonus?

They are ranks you gain, not a bonus (else they would stack with ranks - that way lies madness), and they don't need to be a class/origin skill to gain them. You still need a caster level, spells, spell points and the ability to cast spells of X level to make use of the Spellcasting skill, however .

[Daedalus]

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?  I believe it was said, I think by you Crafty_Alex, that you do effectively get the free ranks, even though you haven't paid for them, making them not so much ranks but a bonus?

They are ranks you gain, not a bonus (else they would stack with ranks - that way lies madness), and they don't need to be a class/origin skill to gain them. You still need a caster level, spells, spell points and the ability to cast spells of X level to make use of the Spellcasting skill, however .

But scrolls can still be used, correct?

[Crafty_Alex]

Now, what about an ability that gives you a point in spellcasting for every point you put in another skill?  I believe it was said, I think by you Crafty_Alex, that you do effectively get the free ranks, even though you haven't paid for them, making them not so much ranks but a bonus?

They are ranks you gain, not a bonus (else they would stack with ranks - that way lies madness), and they don't need to be a class/origin skill to gain them. You still need a caster level, spells, spell points and the ability to cast spells of X level to make use of the Spellcasting skill, however .

But scrolls can still be used, correct?

Reckon so. Would be easier probably to just get the Scroll Casting feat if you want to use scrolls - lower investment of resources and you get double duty out of the Crafting skill as well.