School Powers (and I suppose cleric domains) and Caster Level


Classes: Sorcerer and Wizard

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

In 3.5, as a cleric, when ever you gained access to a new spell level, you gained your domain spell. As far as I understood, if you gained spells/caster level from a prestige class you still got that new domain spell. With domains and now School Powers which are like domains being keyed off of caster level and not spell progression, how do prestige classes (which typical override class abilities) affect your progression with domain and school powers. I note that the domain and priestiege powers specifically say caster level, and not wizard/cleric level.

As a follow up, if it is caster level (and so stacking prestige class caster levels.) Does it also follow that a feat like Practiced Spellcaster (I think that is the name) which gives a multiclass or ECL type character caster levels in line with their total level / hd (to a max of 4) (but not the additional spells) access to the domain/school powers that is associated with the caster level?

Silver Crusade

I believe the designer stated in another thread that specialist bonus and school abilities run off wizard level and that saying caster level was an error.

Still not sure about the bonus SLA's, I think prestige wizards should get to keep gaining those.

Scarab Sages

I had a similar question about a Clr/wiz/MT mix.
Since the MT increased spell progression I think it should grant school powers, bloodline abilities, and domain powers.


If it is not possible to stack caster levels for example 3 necromancer / 3 cleric / 14 true necromancer especially for the domain spells/powers and the specialist bonus spells/powers. Why should we multiclass then with prestige classes?

But if it's realy not possible...I would go for houserule!!! Because it doesn't seem to be very logic.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Rulebook Subscriber

I'm not sure if I said this the first time I posted, but it actually breaks cleric domains. Every time you gained a new spell level as a cleric (or as a prestige class that gave you cleric caster levels) you got that domain spell slot, but with the domain spell slot replaced with a domain power on a set progression, if you don't level as a cleric you don't get your domain power, it is actually a nerf for clerics.

Sovereign Court

Galnorag, I would simply interpret that the domain powers progress with divine caster level, not cleric level. It seems pretty obvious that these were meant to replace domain spells. I actually didn't like domain spells that much, as all clerics I DMed always had confusion on whether these spells became part of their spell list or not.

Liberty's Edge

Purple Dragon Knight wrote:
Galnorag, I would simply interpret that the domain powers progress with divine caster level, not cleric level. It seems pretty obvious that these were meant to replace domain spells. I actually didn't like domain spells that much, as all clerics I DMed always had confusion on whether these spells became part of their spell list or not.

Domain spells were 2 bonus spellsper level, but you choose whichone to get per day (so actually you got only 1 such spell per day), this bonus spells were not given each new level if you DON'T level as a Cleric (unless the Prestigue Class said so)

I like a lot more the new domain mechanics, and considering you know get 2 domains fully active... at least while leveling as a cleric, I do believe they are ok

yes a cleric doesn't grow in his special qualities (Domains, Positive Energy) unless your Prestigue Class says so.


Galnörag wrote:
but it actually breaks cleric domains.

No, it doesnt. It actually FIXES them. Now you have a reason to stay cleric and not prestige out the first second you could, same with wizard and sorcerer. Great and needed change.

Now prestige classes arent the base class + much more, now you loose something for what you get.

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