Caster Levels


Rules Questions


Caster Levels are total levels of all classes a character has capable of casting spells, right? A multiclass character that's a level 2 Wizard and a level 2 Druid has a caster level of 4, right? So that character can cast a level 4 spells from either class' spell list?


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Nah, unfortunately - caster levels are normally calculated separately, so the example Wiz2/Dru2 would be Wizard Caster Level 2 and Druid Caster Level 2.

Some Prestige Classes add to pre-existing caster levels, though.

Also, a caster level doesn't mean you can cast spells of that same level; a level 4 wizard can only cast level 1 or 2 spells. Spell levels vary by class, so you have to follow the tables given on each classes page.


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No.

You count caster levels separately. A Druid 2/Wizard 2 would have two different caster levels, both at 2.

And spell levels are completely different from class levels (apparently, back when D&D emerged, thesauruses weren't available). As you can see in their respective tables, Druids and Wizards both learn to cast 2nd level spells when they reach level 3. When they're level 5, they can cast 3rd level spells, and at level 16 they get the final spell level - 9th. Sorcerers are a little behind, learning 2nd level spells at level 4 but then gain a spell level every other level. Bards are so called 6th level casters (or 6/9 casters) because their highest spell level is 6. Rangers are 4th level casters and start to be able to cast 1st level spells at level 4.

This is why multiclassing spellcasters is generally a bad idea - you loose a lot of power since you don't gain higher level spells (as quickly) - all you get is lots and lots of low-level spells (and those aren't that useful when facing higher-level enemies).


Understood, thanks. Another question: I am taking the Ravener Hunter Inquisitor archetype for my latest character and the part that talks about spells says this:

She cannot cast 2 with the chaotic, evil, or lawful descriptors, even from spell trigger or spell completion items.

What does that mean? Is it a typo?


Presumably '2' is a typo and it was supposed to be 'spells'...


Probably. Though it's an odd typo to make.

Third question: The Inquisitor page says this:

At will, an inquisitor can use detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, or detect law.

That means it acts as a spell-like ability rather than a spell taking up a slot, right? And it comes in at level 2, correct? It doesn't have a level in the description, but the description comes after the Cunning Initiative ability which is level 2.


Correct.

Quote:


Detect Alignment (Sp)

At will, an inquisitor can use detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, or detect law. She can only use one of these at any given time.

The (Sp) bit means 'spell-like'.


Heather 540 wrote:
That means it acts as a spell-like ability rather than a spell taking up a slot, right? And it comes in at level 2, correct? It doesn't have a level in the description, but the description comes after the Cunning Initiative ability which is level 2.

Odd that it doesn't have it's level in the description, but yes, the Inquisitor gains Detect alignment at level 2. Evidence for this, in addition it coming after Cunning Initiative, shows in the class advancement table.

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