hrmm...okay that's a good point nocturnal And thanks for not being a jerk :P.

Alright then, in that case it would be different power or different monster to qualify as a different source.

Heh, doing my best. I still think the RAW doesn't agree with me, and if you have the same condition on you from any number of sources you only have to save against it once. No double jeopardy.

Doing so negates the players ability to use images tactically, which is why I mentioned that it was merely a suggestion, not actually RAW. RAW, the fighter would be able to make an Aoo in the illusion, at which point he would interact with it and realize it to be false, but still use up one of his aoo's. However, unless he had a reach weapon, or reach greater than 5', he should not have had any chance at all to stop the wizards spell, and using the ruling mentioned would give him such a chance.

Anyone have some PrC's that advance familiars? I can't find any if they exist at all.

There's the PP that...Oh, you meant 3e. There's Arcane Hierophant, and the aberrant one...Fleshwarper or something.

3.5 actually, sorry

Those and Alienist. Those are the ones I can think off off the bat.

Of course, if you took the feat to gain a familiar, then any PrC that advances arcane casting advances familiar.

Hiding and Spellcasting

Rule System: D&D 3.5

1)
Situation: In combat.
Character A is successfully hidden. On his turn, character B readies an action "Charge and attack any enemy beginning to cast a spell.
Character A, still hidden, begins to cast a spell.

How do these two actions interact ? Does character B get his readied action ? Must he succeed a spot check (opposed to character A's hide roll) - if yes, the original hide roll ? A new one - or one at a penalty ?

2) Can a hidden character use the "sniping" option to cast a spell and hide again (at the -20 penalty) ?

well, I'd say Spot check vs the Hide roll for that current round, assuming Character A rolls a new Hide each round. Use appropriate penalties(cover, concealment, LOS, etc)

I'd say that casting a spell is functionally no different than making any other form of attack. If Character B manages to notice Character A in time (i.e., beats A's Hide Check with his Spot Check) he can use the declared Readied action. Generally, a new Hide Check is only required after you do something to attract notice.

Can a caster snipe? Why not? There isn't much mechanical advantage to be had in doing so, but if a player wants to invest the skill ranks to make it worthwhile I say let them.