Level dependent variables *faq hopeful*

[lantzkev]

For the purposes of feats like spell perfection and well anything, what are level dependent variables?

I assume it's things like range, duration, number of targets, dmg, etc...

but I also assume it doesn't include things like dispell checks in the case of say spell perfection being applied to dispel magic.

So in short "if you use dispell magic to counter a spell, do you add the benefit of spell perfection in dispell check. Or more specifically does spell perfection apply to dispel checks"

[Rhatahema]

I'm sorry, but I've looked over spell perfection and I don't understand. What part of that feat is relevant to [caster] level dependent variables?

[lantzkev]

It seems clear to me they aren't the same, but I've had enough people intimate to me that they feel it also refers to the level dependent dispell check... it seems a stretch but they might have a point so I thought it worth asking an FAQ about.

[Pupsocket]

There's no such thing in "Spell Perfection". I assume you mean "level-variable effects" from Spell Specialization?

In that case, the words are noise and should be disregarded. The sentence should drop what's inside the bracket: "Treat your caster level as being two higher for [all level-variable effects of] the spell". I assume the writer or editor was trying to be helpful, but the shortened version would probably have been better.

There's actually a term for what you're describing: "effects based on caster level", as mentioned in the Magic chapter, but I've never seen an ability that boosts *only* that; it's the other way around, with abilities that boost CL *checks* but not "effects based on caster level"

[lantzkev]

exactly, it's kind of one of those things where you can read the wording of it either way... kind of a perfect thing for a FAQ no?

[Rhatahema]

Ah, spell specialization. That makes more sense. Yeah, I think that essentially you treat your caster level as being 2 higher for that spell. They probably added the "level-variable effects" line to shut-down the idea that your caster level for one spell somehow qualified your character for unrelated prerequisites (crafting feats, determining arcane strike).

But mostly it's just redundant. It stands to reason that level-based variables are anything modified by caster level, since that's all the feat adjusts. Dispel checks are based on caster level, so if dispel magic is used at a higher caster level, your dispel check is likewise increased.

[seebs]

I would not have thought it applied to caster-level checks, because those are not a numeric quality which vary with caster level.

So, if something has "Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)", then that range is calculated as though your caster level were higher. Area of effect specified in 10' cubes per level? That increases. Damage dice to roll? Increases.

But if you make a caster level check, that's not a variable determined by caster level, that's a separate thing you do, and that just uses your base caster level. I think.

[DonDuckie]

seebs wrote:

I would not have thought it applied to caster-level checks, because those are not a numeric quality which vary with caster level.

So, if something has "Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)", then that range is calculated as though your caster level were higher. Area of effect specified in 10' cubes per level? That increases. Damage dice to roll? Increases.

But if you make a caster level check, that's not a variable determined by caster level, that's a separate thing you do, and that just uses your base caster level. I think.

You could just as well write "make a caster level check (1d20 + 1 per level in caster class)". So it depends on your caster level in the class calling for the check.

If you choose to cast a spell that requires caster level check at a lower caster level, then it's not unreasonable to assume it affects the outcome of the caster level check.

[Rhatahema]

Here we go:

PRD:Magic wrote:

Caster Level

A spell's power often depends on its caster level, which for most spellcasting characters is equal to her class level in the class she's using to cast the spell...

In the event that a class feature or other special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such as range, duration, and damage dealt), but also to your caster level check to overcome your target's spell resistance and to the caster level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the check).

It isn't spelled out, but if your caster level is increased only for a particular spell, I think it's clear that you use the caster level of that spell for any relevant caster level checks (such as against spell resistance). The same would be true of a penalty to caster level on a spell or spell school.