Extract Gift Mini-Handbook

[ariasderros]

Extract Gift is a spell out of the Fiendish Codex 1, beginning on page 92. People have been talking about this spell on these boards off and on for a while, but we haven’t had a decent source on how to optimize it. So I went through the books and looked at the demons. Then I compiled a list of who is best for what skills and abilities.

About the Spell

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You can gain a bonus of Competence to skills, or Enhancement to abilities. The Spell itself does not actually have a cap. It merely uses CL 20 as the highest example, and mentions the formula to figure the cost of using the spell, with the math done out for you up to CL20 (if the cap actually was CL20, the cost list AND the formula is redundant). However the spell does have a limitations based on how it is being used.
For Skills the maximum bonus checks your current Caster Level, and can only go as high as half of that, and the “donor demon” has to have at least twice as many RANKS in the skill as the bonus granted. Note, there is a difference in the skills sore in the demons entry, and its actual ranks in the skill (the Balor has a +31 in UMD, but only 23 ranks)
For Abilities the maximum bonus checks your current Caster Level, and can only go as high as a quarter of that, and the “donor demon” has to have a CURRENT ability score MODIFIER of twice the granted bonus.

Before anyone says that this isn’t a good spell, it is a +11 competence to UMD (and the other skills that stay relevant for certain people) without making a custom item, and the bonus from the abilities can get as high as your caster level, and as high as you are willing to boost the demon’s ability score first.

Extract Gift Versus Item

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For this comparison, I am going to look only at ability score items.
Up to the +6 item, the item is cheaper unless you can get the spell for free (more on that below).
But after that it gets cheaper to use extract gift because of the epic price multiplier. Also, if you manage to get your CL boosted to 48 to get the +12, then the dispel DC would be 59. All dispel spells have a CL cap, and you can only boost the check so far (and not to 59, even with a 20 on die). So after a certain level, the spell can only be taken off with a Disjunction, which would destroy the item too anyway, whereas the item would be suppressed for a number of rounds with a successful dispel.

To make the best use of this spell there are three things you need

A) Find a way to do the spell for free.
On the path to freedom

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1) Spellstiching.

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In Complete Arcane on page 162. Add this template to an undead with a Wis score of at least 17, and make Extract Gift one of its granted SLA’s.
Pro: It does not require any particular build to function, thus no character level investment. Only 1,000gp and the Craft Wondrous Item Feat.
Con: Requires 500XP for each point of the creatures Wis score, thus a minimum of 8,500xp. Caster level is based on HD. Caster level difficult is to raise. Only usable 1 or 2 times per day. Resigned to dealing with undead.

2) Guardian.

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In the Monster Manual 2 on page 182, and in the update on page 10. The Runic Guardian can be give a small number of SLA’s, make Extract Gift one of its SLA’s.
Pro: Costs less XP than Spellstiching. Not restricted to dealing with undead, thus not evil. Only character investment is Craft Construct.
Con: Costs a lot more GP than spellstiching (note, price was lowered in the update). Caster level may be based on either the guardians HD or the creators caster level, ask your DM. Caster level difficult is to raise. Only usable 1 time per day.

3) Dweomerkeeper.

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In the Web Enhancement for Complete Divine. Can cast her spells a certain number of times per day as though they were Supernatural Abilities. Requires you use Limited Wish, Wish or Miracle to emulate Extract Gift, due to the casting time restriction.
Pro: Uses your caster level, thus it is easy to raise it. Doesn’t require any created minions.
Con: Using this method, you are roped into playing this PRC.

4) Shadowcraft Mage

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I will not detail it all out here, but it is possible for this PRC out of Races of Stone to be able to cast free Miracles out of 8th level spell slots.
Pro: Uses your caster level, thus it is easy to raise it. Doesn’t require any created minions. Caster level starts out higher that the Dweomerkeepers due to Earth Spell.
Con: Using this method, you are roped into playing this PRC. Requires 1-2 more levels than the Dweomerkeeper using Limited Wish. Requires many specific feats to make this work.

There are other methods, but it all boils down to this. You make a pet that can do it, and it can’t do it well, or you play a build that can do it, and you’re stuck with that build. Of course, there are worse builds to play than Dweomerkeeper or Shadowcraft Mage.

B) Get your caster level high enough.

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http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872350/Raising_Caster_Level
Done

C) Know what to bind.
(check the next few posts)
And get the Stat higher.
Sources of Bonuses to Ability Scores by Maat Mons

Books I found Demons in

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Fiendish Codex 1
Monster Manual
Monster Manual 2
Monster Manual 3
Monster Manual 4
Monster Manual 5
Fiend Folio
City of the Spider Queen
Expedition to the Demonweb Pits
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk
Lost Empires of Faerun
Manual of the Planes
Book of Vile Darkness
Miniatures Handbook
Expanded Psionics Handbook
Dragonlance Campaign Setting
Champions of Ruin (All were specific creatures, with too many HD for Planar Binding)

Update #1 yay, Tables. soooo pretty.
Extract Gift Mini-Handbook - Discussion

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Lesser Planar Binding

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Bluff	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Climb	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Concentration	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Diplomacy	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Disguise	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Escape Artist	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Forgery	Guecubu	4	7	FC1	41
Hide	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Intimidate	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Jump	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Listen	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Move Silently	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Search	Succubus	6	9	MM	47
Sleight of Hand	Guecubu	4	7	FC1	41
Spellcraft	Quasit	3	6	MM	46
Spot	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Survival	Armanite	5	8	MP	164
Swim	Skulvyn	4	7	FF	54
Tumble	Bar-lgura	6	9	FC1	29
Strength	Bar-lgura	6	22	FC1	29
Dexterity	Bar-lgura	6	19	FC1	29
Constitution	Juvenile Nabassu	5	22	FC1	48
Intelligence	Succubus	6	16	MM	47
Wisdom	Ekolid	6	18	FC1	38
Charisma	Succubus	6	26	MM	47

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Planar Binding

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Solamith	11	14	MM5	28
Bluff	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Climb	Aspect of Kostchtchie	12	15	FC1-W	14
Concentration	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Craft (Alchemy)	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	14	FC1-W	7
Diplomacy	Ghour	12	15	LEoF	168
Disable Device	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Disguise	Cataboligne	12	15	ERG	217
Escape Artist	Alkilith	11	14	FF	46
Forgery	Dybbuk	10	13	FC1	36
Gather Information	Carnevus	11	14	EDP	198
Handle Animal	Aspect of Baphomet	8	11	FC1-W	1
Hide	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Intimidate	Aspect of Kostchtchie	12	15	FC1-W	14
Jump	Aspect of Kostchtchie	12	15	FC1-W	14
Listen	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Move Silently	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Open Lock	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Psicraft	Cerebrilith	9	12	XPH	192
Search	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Sense Motive	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Sleight of Hand	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Spellcraft	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Spot	Kelvezu	12	15	MM2	60
Survival	Aspect of Kostchtchie	12	15	FC1-W	14
Swim	Aspect of Kostchtchie	12	15	FC1-W	14
Tumble	Cataboligne	12	15	ERG	217
Use Magic Device	Carnevus	11	14	EDP	198
Strength	Jarilith	10	35	MM2	60
Dexterity	Kelvezu	12	31	MM2	60
Constitution	Glabrezu	12	31	MM	43
Intelligence	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	20	FC1-W	7
Wisdom	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	21	FC1-W	7
Charisma	Aspect of Malcanthet	9	30	FC1-W	17

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Planar Binding + Malconvoker

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Bluff	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Climb	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Concentration	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Craft (Alchemy)	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	14	FC1-W	7
Diplomacy	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Disable Device	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Disguise	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Escape Artist	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Forgery	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Gather Information	Carnevus	11	14	EDP	198
Handle Animal	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Heal	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Hide	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Intimidate	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Jump	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Listen	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Move Silently	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Open Lock	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Perform X	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Psicraft	Cerebrilith	9	12	XPH	192
Search	Nalfeshnee	14	22	MM	45
Sense Motive	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Sleight of Hand	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Spellcraft	Nalfeshnee	14	22	MM	45
Spot	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Survival	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Swim	Adaru	13	16	MM5	20
Tumble	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Use Magic Device	Nalfeshnee	14	22	MM	45
Strength	Jarilith	10	35	MM2	60
Dexterity	Kelvezu	12	31	MM2	60
Constitution	Glabrezu	12	31	MM	43
Intelligence	Nalfeshnee	14	22	MM	45
Wisdom	Nalfeshnee	14	22	MM	45
Charisma	Aspect of Malcanthet	9	30	FC1-W	17

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Greater Planar Binding

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Bluff	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Climb	Aspect of Obox-ob	15	18	EDP	186
Concentration	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Craft (Alchemy)	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	14	FC1-W	7
Decipher Script	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Diplomacy	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Disable Device	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Disguise	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Escape Artist	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Forgery	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Gather Information	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Handle Animal	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Heal	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Hide	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Intimidate	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Jump	Goristro	16	19	MP	164
Knowledge (Arcana)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Geography)	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Knowledge (Local)	Mature Nabassu	15	18	FC1	49
Knowledge (Planes)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Religion)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Listen	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Move Silently	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Open Lock	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Perform X	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Psicraft	Cerebrilith	9	12	XPH	192
Search	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Sense Motive	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Sleight of Hand	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Spellcraft	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Spot	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Survival	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Swim	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Tumble	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Use Magic Device	Marilith	16	19	MM	44
Strength	Jarilith	10	35	MM2	60
Dexterity	Kelvezu	12	31	MM2	60
Constitution	Sorrowsworn	18	32	MM3	36
Intelligence	Sibriex	15	25	FC1	52
Wisdom	Sibriex	15	24	FC1	52
Charisma	Lilitu	14	30	FC1	43

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Greater Planar Binding + Malconvoker

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Bluff	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Climb	Aspect of Obox-ob	15	18	EDP	186
Concentration	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Craft (Alchemy)	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	14	FC1-W	7
Decipher Script	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Diplomacy	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Disable Device	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Disguise	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Escape Artist	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Forgery	Molydeus	19	22	FC1	46
Gather Information	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Handle Animal	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Heal	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Hide	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Intimidate	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Jump	Goristro	16	19	MP	164
Knowledge (Arcana)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Geography)	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Knowledge (Local)	Mature Nabassu	15	18	FC1	49
Knowledge (Planes)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Religion)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Listen	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Move Silently	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Open Lock	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Perform X	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Psicraft	Cerebrilith	9	12	XPH	192
Search	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Sense Motive	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Sleight of Hand	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Spellcraft	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Spot	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Survival	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Swim	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Tumble	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Use Magic Device	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Strength	Jarilith	10	35	MM2	60
Dexterity	Kelvezu	12	31	MM2	60
Constitution	Sorrowsworn	18	32	MM3	36
Intelligence	Sibriex	15	25	FC1	52
Wisdom	Sibriex	15	24	FC1	52
Charisma	Lilitu	14	30	FC1	43

[ariasderros]

What you can call with Gate.

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Skill	Demon	HD	Ranks	Book	Page
Balance	Draudnu	14	17	MM5	24
Bluff	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Climb	Aspect of Obox-ob	15	18	EDP	186
Concentration	Deathdrinker	27	30	MM4	40
Craft (Alchemy)	Aspect of Demogorgon	11	14	FC1-W	7
Decipher Script	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Diplomacy	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Disable Device	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Disguise	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Escape Artist	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Forgery	Molydeus	19	22	FC1	46
Gather Information	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Handle Animal	Aspect of Yeenoghu	14	17	EDP	188
Heal	Sibriex	15	18	FC1	52
Hide	Deathdrinker	27	27	MM4	40
Intimidate	Deathdrinker	27	30	MM4	40
Jump	Deathdrinker	27	27	MM4	40
Knowledge (Arcana)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Geography)	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Knowledge (Local)	Mature Nabassu	15	18	FC1	49
Knowledge (Planes)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Knowledge (Religion)	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Listen	Deathdrinker	27	30	MM4	40
Move Silently	Deathdrinker	27	27	MM4	40
Open Lock	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Perform X	Lilitu	14	17	FC1	43
Psicraft	Cerebrilith	9	12	XPH	192
Search	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Sense Motive	Goristro	24	27	FC1	40
Sleight of Hand	Babau	7	10	MM	40
Spellcraft	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Spot	Deathdrinker	27	30	MM4	40
Survival	Sorrowsworn	18	21	MM3	36
Swim	Myrmyxicus	18	21	FF	52
Tumble	Aspect of Graz'zt	16	19	EDP	184
Use Magic Device	Balor	20	23	MM	40
Strength	Jarilith	10	35	MM2	60
Dexterity	Kelvezu	12	31	MM2	60
Constitution	Sorrowsworn	18	32	MM3	36
Intelligence	Sibriex	15	25	FC1	52
Wisdom	Sibriex	15	24	FC1	52
Charisma	Lilitu	14	30	FC1	43

[ariasderros]

Other notes on Skills and Abilities

Other Demons have ranks in other knowledge’s, but as the Balor (and others) can max “any” knowledge’s, I did not bother to mark those with knowledge’s in the lower catagories, even in the 12 and 14 areas there are demons that will max “any two” like the Glabrezu.

Lilitu will max one perform at 17.

Broodswarms have 11 ranks in Disable Devise and Open Lock, but it would be up for debate if you can use Extract Gift on a Swarm.

As a special mention, the Aspect of Orcus has both knowledge (religion) and Knowledge (undead). …???

An Aspect of Lolth has 17 ranks in Appraise, Climb and Craft (Alchemy), as well as a Wis of 26, but she has none of the demonic subtypes and is not listed as a demon. She is an Outsider with the Evil and Chaotic subtypes though, so you may get your DM to approve her as a Demon.

If you can pass to your DM that any Outsider with both the Evil and Chaotic subtypes can be used for Extract Gift (and I don’t see why not) then all you really need to do is find someone or something with a high score, then Polymorph them into a Demon (since Polymorph changes type). If you want the physical stats, then have them break a Delicate Disk with Strength of the True Form stored it. (Delicate Disk is in LEoF, Strength of the True Form is in DoE)

In a similar vein, you can use Draconic Polymorph out of Draconomicon to emulate a demon, and have better Str and Con. This is actually superior to Binding those demons.

Also note, as we are calling demons, it is possible to call an advanced demon to get more skill ranks (or if your DM is very nice, abilities). This is especially important when looking at using Gate (you can call anything, you just can’t control the powerful).