Class Powers & abilities for character level, class level, and caster levels

[ItoSaithWebb]

OK, I have been working on some complicated character builds especially with casters lately. In addition so have my players. We have not use this characters yet so I know the questions that I am going to ask now are going to be asked later to me by my players.

Almost all magical classes have abilities or powers they gain at certain levels. I know that you actually have to have the character class level in order to receive the ability.

It is also my understanding that once you have a power you have it forever unless you violate some code.

I do understand that increased caster levels from PrC do not grant extra abilities from your original class they effect. To me that is a no brainer.

However, when looking at the abilities some seem to state that they say one of two things.

Quote:

Acidic Ray (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can fire an acidic

ray as a standard action, targeting any foe within 30 feet as
a ranged touch attack. The acidic ray deals 1d6 points of
acid damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to
3 + your Charisma modifier.

Does this refer to the actual sorcerer caster levels or can added caster level target towards sorcerer caster level count to adding to the power? I am guessing probably not but I want to make sure.

Now we have another power were it's power levels seems to be worded differently.

Quote:

Claws (Ex): At 1st level, you can grow claws as a free

action. These claws are treated as natural weapons,
allowing you to make two claw attacks as a full attack
action using your full base attack bonus. These attacks
deal 1d4 points of damage each (1d3 if you are Small)
plus your Strength modifier. At 5th level, these claws
are considered magic weapons for the purpose of
overcoming DR. At 7th level, the damage increases by
one step to 1d6 points of damage (1d4 if you are Small).
At 11th level, these claws become f laming weapons, each
dealing an additional 1d6 points of f ire damage on a
successful hit. This is a supernatural ability. You can
use your claws for a number of rounds per day equal to 3
+ your Charisma modifier.

Now when they mean at 1st level or whatever level do they mean character level, class level, or caster level?

Their wording feel deliberate but it is a little unclear in this case especially when concerned with multi-classing and adding PrC that add on caster levels.

Would gaining added caster level to your base class add to the power level of a power that you gained normally via class levels?

[Christina Morris]

ItoSaithWebb wrote:

OK, I have been working on some complicated character builds especially with casters lately. In addition so have my players. We have not use this characters yet so I know the questions that I am going to ask now are going to be asked later to me by my players.

Almost all magical classes have abilities or powers they gain at certain levels. I know that you actually have to have the character class level in order to receive the ability.

It is also my understanding that once you have a power you have it forever unless you violate some code.

I do understand that increased caster levels from PrC do not grant extra abilities from your original class they effect. To me that is a no brainer.

However, when looking at the abilities some seem to state that they say one of two things.

Quote:

Acidic Ray (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can fire an acidic

ray as a standard action, targeting any foe within 30 feet as
a ranged touch attack. The acidic ray deals 1d6 points of
acid damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess.
You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to
3 + your Charisma modifier.

Does this refer to the actual sorcerer caster levels or can added caster level target towards sorcerer caster level count to adding to the power? I am guessing probably not but I want to make sure.

Now we have another power were it's power levels seems to be worded differently.

Quote:

Claws (Ex): At 1st level, you can grow claws as a free

action. These claws are treated as natural weapons,
allowing you to make two claw attacks as a full attack
action using your full base attack bonus. These attacks
deal 1d4 points of damage each (1d3 if you are Small)
plus your Strength modifier. At 5th level, these claws
are considered magic weapons for the purpose of
overcoming DR. At 7th level, the damage increases by
one step to 1d6 points of damage (1d4 if you are Small).
At 11th level, these claws become f laming weapons, each
dealing an

...

Those key off of class level, not caster level. You can even look at Dragon Disciple for an example of a Prestige Class that grants advancement of a Sorcerer Bloodline (for instance).