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Hi,
I want to refit a 3.5 wizard conjurer into a pathfinder one and I'm wondering what happens with PrC that says: "+1 level of wizard spellcasting ability".
Do I get Dimensional Steps at level 8 even if I'm only wizard 3 / master specialist 5? In other words, do Dimensional Steps considered a spellcasting ability?
Special abilities are not spellcasting abilities even if they resemble casting. These abilities are always based on your level in the granting class only, unless one of the classes say otherwise.
So you would not get dimensional steps unless you were Wizard 8. The +1 level of wizard spellcasting ability only applies to their base casting, not any other abilities wizard's get. If the "Master Specialist" class says it "stacks for the purpose of Arcane School abilities." then it would stack. If it weren't for how many abilities they get already I'd say it would be alright to add the stacking, but that would most likely end up a bit too powerful.
Take a close look at what the +1 level of spellcasting class ability says. They all say something like "He does not, however, gain other benefits a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous caster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting."
Since things like familiars and specialist wizard powers are class features they do not improve unless the PrC specifically notes otherwise. They are basically encouragement to remain a plain Wizard so that taking a prestige class is not a no-brainer.
