Caster Level Interpretation

[RiTz21]

I got a question about the interpretation of Caster level - let's use the example below:

Transmutation School
Specialist Bonus: You gain a +1 enhancement bonus to one
physical ability score (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution).
This bonus increases by +1 for every 5 caster levels you possess,
to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. You can change this bonus to
a new ability score when you prepare spells.

Now, a 5th level Wizard would gain +2 to one ability score according to the above. So my question is:

Does the 'caster level' only applies to the Wizard class levels?
What about a Wizard 3rd/Sorcerer 2nd? Would this character get +2 (with a total caste level of 5) OR does it only get +1 (only from the Wizard class level)?

In other words, does 'caster level' stands for ANY class that grants arcane spells? OR are they implying Wizard levels only?

Thanks for clearing this up!
RiTz21
http://TheOnlySheet.com

[Threeshades]

As in DnD 3.5 I'm pretty sure it only refers to the level of the class that you have taken and/or cast this spell with.

[Paul Watson]

I'm pretty sure it means Wizard Class level rather than Caster Level. That would, IMHO, be a misprint or something to correct before the Final version comes out.

[RiTz21]

Threeshades wrote:

As in DnD 3.5 I'm pretty sure it only refers to the level of the class that you have taken and/or cast this spell with.

Indeed, but why use "caster level" if they mean "Wizard Levels"? ...

R

[Threeshades]

Maybe because "caster level" was thought to be enough to get the hint. Also if you have multiple caster classes then you dont have one caster level anymore but several such. Then you for example have your sorcerer caster level and your wizard caster level. And as you have cast the spell as a wizard, that is the caster level you have to refer to.

Also: Some spells are available to more than one class. In these cases it would seem more useful to just say "per caster level" instead of "per level of wizard or sorcerer or cleric or bard level, whichever of these you cast the spell with"

[James Jacobs]

The rules do seem a little vague, but the intent here is to reward players who stick with one class. That's actually been one of Jason's underlying design theories: "Make it so that a player who doesn't multiclass isn't left out."

Therefore, you only get the +1 bonus to your ability score for sticking with transmuter levels; if you swap out to another spellcaster, those caster levels aren't "attached" to your wizard powers. Just as your caster levels in bard or cleric or sorcerer won't improve your wizard spellcasting, they won't improve your abilities gained from wizard levels.

[RiTz21]

Allright, I have implemented the caster Level as to mean the Wizard levels. Many thanks you for clearing this up promptly!!

RiTz21

[Kyrinn S. Eis]

RiTz21 wrote:

Indeed, but why use "caster level" if they mean "Wizard Levels"? ...R

I'm going to disagree with the views presented here, and remind that PrC spellcasters gain +1 Spellcaster Level at various iterations.

It may very well be Jason's intention to reward non-multiclassers, but if BC is still on the table, then remembering that there are PrC +1 Spellcaster Level bonuses which make the Caster-Level meaningful.

If Paizo is planning a PrC book (as I read), then I hope they don't suddenly abandon the +1 ScL aspect, as that would break Backward Compatibility.

---
On a related tangent, I've HR'd that a MultiClassed (MC) character is only treated as their highest Class Level for ('based on the Character Level...') formulae. The exception comes from PrCs which provide the +1ScL. This means that a Wizard 6, Fighter 2, magic PrC 1 with +1 ScL is a 6th level Character, and a 7th level Caster.

Such MC characters still get their Saves and HP stacks, but Class Feature and Caster Levels are 'branches' off the main trunk of the highest attained class-level.

Thanks for reading.