Hello,
I haven't found a ruling in any of the beta test forums. My question is about the new Inquisitor Class; since it is a core class and not a prestige class, it would appear that the caster levels don't stack with each other. The only reason there seems to be some room for interpretation is that per the APG preview,
Levels of cleric and inquisitor stack for the
purpose of determining domain powers and abilities,
but not for bonus spells.
But it doesn't spell out anthing about Caster levels that I can find. Anyone know the official ruling here?
Thanks.
Hello,
I haven't found a ruling in any of the beta test forums. My question is about the new Inquisitor Class; since it is a core class and not a prestige class, it would appear that the caster levels don't stack with each other. The only reason there seems to be some room for interpretation is that per the APG preview,
Levels of cleric and inquisitor stack for the
purpose of determining domain powers and abilities,
but not for bonus spells.
But it doesn't spell out anthing about Caster levels that I can find. Anyone know the official ruling here?
Thanks.
It only stacks for the domain powers and abilities. Not for caster levels, spells, or anything else like that. So if you're a 8/8 inquisitor cleric, both with the same domain, you have those domain powers as a 16 cleric.
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Hi,
I'm actually the player in Don's campaign that is looking to take a level or levels in Inquisitor (I'm currently a 4th level Cleric). That ruling on caster levels makes sense. Come to think of it, having levels stack could lead to some unbalancing in that I'd get a larger spell selection (both spells known and spells/day), as well as a higher caster level.
To flesh this question out a little bit, does this mean that if I use a spell that is available to both Clerics and Inquisitors, I would have to keep track of whether I prepared it as a Cleric spell or whether I'm using it as a known Inquisitor spell?
Also, to follow up on the last statement that "if you're an 8/8 inquisitor cleric, both with the same domain," I'd have the domain powers as a 16th level cleric -- keeping in mind that Inquisitors only get one domain, and such domain would have to be one of my Cleric domains (i.e., no taking a third domain), would that mean that (in this hypothetical) I'd use one domain's powers as an 8th level Cleric and the other domain's powers as a 16th level Cleric? In other words, in the APG preview it says that levels of Cleric and Inquisitor stack for the purpose of determining domain powers and abilities -- is this only for the domain in which there is overlap, or does the stacking work for both Cleric domains?
Thanks!
It only stacks for the domain powers and abilities. Not for caster levels, spells, or anything else like that. So if you're a 8/8 inquisitor cleric, both with the same domain, you have those domain powers as a 16 cleric.Hello,
I haven't found a ruling in any of the beta test forums. My question is about the new Inquisitor Class; since it is a core class and not a prestige class, it would appear that the caster levels don't stack with each other. The only reason there seems to be some room for interpretation is that per the APG preview,
Levels of cleric and inquisitor stack for the
purpose of determining domain powers and abilities,
but not for bonus spells.
But it doesn't spell out anthing about Caster levels that I can find. Anyone know the official ruling here?
Thanks.
To flesh this question out a little bit, does this mean that if I use a spell that is available to both Clerics and Inquisitors, I would have to keep track of whether I prepared it as a Cleric spell or whether I'm using it as a known Inquisitor spell?
Yep. Because of that, you should probably learn common buff spells that aren't too reliable on caster level as inquisitor, and keep the odd spells, and those that allow for a save, for the cleric.
Also, to follow up on the last statement that "if you're an 8/8 inquisitor cleric, both with the same domain," I'd have the domain powers as a 16th level cleric -- keeping in mind that Inquisitors only get one domain, and such domain would have to be one of my Cleric domains (i.e., no taking a third domain), would that mean that (in this hypothetical) I'd use one domain's powers as an 8th level Cleric and the other domain's powers as a 16th level Cleric?
I'd say it is, yes. Otherwise, you could pick a third domain and be better at domains than a straight cleric is, and I don't think that was the intent.
Anyway, if I wanted to add a little skillfulness to a cleric, which is what the inquisitor level will add, I'd go with a level of wizard or rogue. The spellcasting gained from the inquisitor will be the same that you are already an expert on as a cleric, so I'd either go with wizard for wider spell knowledge and generally, a more knowledgable character. If I wanted the sneaky part and combat options, I'd opt for a level of rogue instead. But that's just how I'd do it, and I don't know your character concept either.
I agree that it makes sense for the caster level to not stack. And having two different caster levels for the domains seems fine, along with the combined levels for domain powers. It will take a bit of planning to get the spells/powers that you want but shouldn't be too difficult.
What about the Channel power? I'm guessing that the levels don't stack for that since it is a Cleric ability and not specificially a Domain opwer, which would be unfortunate for the overall effectiveness of the Cleric as a healer. Thoughts on that power?
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I wouldn't think so -- I could see levels stacking if straight Inquisitors could channel, but they can't. Yes, I'm mulling over that too.
To address stringburka's comment -- adding some skillfulness is part of the motivation. My character concept is basically a slave liberator (we're using a different pantheon than the core rules), so in terms of my character's role in the party, I'd lean more to the sneaky stuff and combat options. Wizard seems harder to reconcile with this concept...also, in a previous campaign, I played a cleric/sorcerer, and I found it to be too many different spells and powers (domain + bloodline) to keep track of. With Inquisitor, they'd still be mostly divine spells, and easier for me to keep track of as a player.
From a game mechanic standpoint, I'm looking at Inquisitor for some of the unique class features, such as judgments and monster lore. From an RP standpoint, the Inquisitor class meshes very well with my character concept.
What about the Channel power? I'm guessing that the levels don't stack for that since it is a Cleric ability and not specificially a Domain opwer, which would be unfortunate for the overall effectiveness of the Cleric as a healer. Thoughts on that power?
On the same note, the rulebook is quite clear, it specifically states; "domain powers AND abilities". Correct me if i'm wrong but a Cleric's Channel Energy class feature is an *ability* and should therefore stack with levels of Inquisitor.
Furthermore, do levels of Cleric and Inquisitor stack for the purposes of determining Judgement bonuses ? Again, if this is considered an *ability* then why not...?
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On the same note, the rulebook is quite clear, it specifically states; "domain powers AND abilities". Correct me if i'm wrong but a Cleric's Channel Energy class feature is an *ability* and should therefore stack with levels of Inquisitor.
Furthermore, do levels of Cleric and Inquisitor stack for the purposes of determining Judgement bonuses ? Again, if this is considered an *ability* then why not...?
Gah! My router ate my post, so I'm going to try this again.
I would rule in both cases, no.
It's true that the APG does state "domain powers and abilities," and that could be interpreted to include class features like the cleric's channel energy ability and the inquisitor's judgment ability.
However, I would note that this rule appears under the heading "Domain" in the inquisitor's class features, so the rule should be read as "domain powers and [domain] abilities." Otherwise, the effect would be to allow either clerics or inquisitors to take a single level in the other class and thus gain access to the other class's signature class feature at a power level equal to a single-classed member of the other class. So you could have, for example, a Cleric 19/Inquisitor 1 who could use judgments like a 20th level Inquisitor (and channel for 10d6), or an Inquisitor 19/Cleric 1 who can channel for 10d6. Either seems a little unbalanced to me.
By the way, in the year since we discussed this issue here, I have respec'ed my character as a single-classed cleric, which is what he was before the inquisitor class was offered.
On the same note, the rulebook is quite clear, it specifically states; "domain powers AND abilities". Correct me if i'm wrong but a Cleric's Channel Energy class feature is an *ability* and should therefore stack with levels of Inquisitor.
Furthermore, do levels of Cleric and Inquisitor stack for the purposes of determining Judgement bonuses ? Again, if this is considered an *ability* then why not...?
Because you are reading the Domain entry for the Inquisitor. The full(er) text reads:
The inquisitor uses her level as her effective cleric level when determining the power and effect of her domain powers. If the inquisitor has cleric levels, one of her two domain selections must be the same domain selected as an inquisitor. Levels of cleric and inquisitor stack for the purpose of determining domain powers and abilities, but not for bonus spells.
It is only referring to the powers and abilities granted by the domain.
Ok, back to the topic of spells -- if I have levels in both Cleric and Inquisitor, does my Wisdom bonus affect both my Cleric daily spells and my Inquisitor spells known (but, of course, not my Inquisitor spells/day)?
Actually, you have it backwards. It affects both your Cleric daily spells and your Inquisitor daily spells, but nothing alters your inquisitor spells known.
Thanks for all your replies guys, they all make sense to me. Cheers, from London !