
HumbleNovice |
No, it is worded that way because there are various things, including at least one trait, and several magical items, that can increase effective caster level.
Magical Knack, for instance, is a trait that lets you add up to two levels to your caster level, to a maximum equal to your character level.
There is an Ioun stone, orange, I think, that adds one to your effective caster level, and that is not limited to your character level, but costs something like 30,000 gp.
The Candle of Invocation adds several effective levels to your caster level, for a limited time.
Similar classes, unless they says that they do, don't add to caster levels in other classes.
Some PrCs explicitly add one level per level to effective level in a spellcasting class, like most levels of Eldritch Knight and Dragon Disciple. They add not just to effective caster level, but to things like spells known and spell slots, etc.
Thanks for responding. This makes sense to me as a logical interpretation of the language. I also looked through some of the language on hybrid classes, and it specifically prohibits the effects of spells stacking (which is pretty much what I am asking). I
though I find it a bit frustrating also. It seems intuitive to me that related classes would be related in the game. As it stands, there seems to be no difference between a spell power of a magus that has devoted a level to magic as a wizard, and a magus that has dipped a level into fighting. But, I suppose this does level the playing field somewhat, and a fair game is (generally speaking) a fun game.
Thanks for your input.