An arcane savant is a wizard who has an innate, almost supernatural, understanding of how magic works. Arcane savants give up specialty in a school to free their minds to understanding the workings of all arcane magic.

The arcane savant is an archetype of the wizard class.

Savant Learning (Ex)

Starting at 1st level, any time an arcane savant successfully uses Spellcraft to identify an arcane spell as it is being cast, he may immediately make a Knowledge (Arcana) check (DC = 15 + spell level) to retain the spell in his memory for up to 1 minute. As long as he can sit quietly with his spellbook while the spell is retained, he may attempt to write the spell into his spellbook just as if he were learning the spell from a scroll. The process of reverse engineering the spell takes 1 hour of uninterrupted work. If he cannot sit undistracted and begin the process while the spell is retained, or if the process of writing the spell is interrupted, the spell fades from his memory and is lost.

This ability replaces the wizard’s arcane school and all its associated powers.

Savant Memory (Ex)

At 6th level, the arcane savant’s memory and understanding grows. He gains a +2 bonus to all Spellcraft and Knowledge (Arcana) skill checks, and can retain a spell in his memory for up to 10 minutes when using his Savant Learning ability. At 12th level, this time is increased to 1 hour.