Orange Prism +1 caster level 30,000 gp
Ok, it says +1 caster level. I assume that would grant you 5th level spells if you are say 8th level.
But what if you are an 8th level cleric and a 1st level Sorcerer
Could you effectively switch which caster class you want the +1 caster level for every time you put the Ioun stone on? Could you have two Orange Ioun stones (one for each of the caster classes)?
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Orange Prism +1 caster level 30,000 gp
Ok, it says +1 caster level. I assume that would grant you 5th level spells if you are say 8th level.
But what if you are an 8th level cleric and a 1st level Sorcerer
Could you effectively switch which caster class you want the +1 caster level for every time you put the Ioun stone on? Could you have two Orange Ioun stones (one for each of the caster classes)?
Okay, the ioun stone does NOT grant access to more spells or higher level spells. The ability to cast 5th level spells is a function of being a 9th level wizard. With the stone, you are an 8th level wizard who casts spells that operate at the 9th caster level. In other words, spells per day and spells known are functions of CLASS level, not CASTER level.
Now, the cleric/sorcerer should cast spells as a cleric 8/sorcerer 1. But his caster level should be higher. The stone says nothing about affecting one class or all classes, so I'd go with the precedent of prestige classes and say it affects one class. So you'd pick a class and boost your caster level by 1. That said, I see no reason why you couldn't switch it by taking off/putting on the stone, nor do I see why you can't have more than one and affect each class.
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Now, the cleric/sorcerer should cast spells as a cleric 8/sorcerer 1. But his caster level should be higher. The stone says nothing about affecting one class or all classes, so I'd go with the precedent of prestige classes and say it affects one class. So you'd pick a class and boost your caster level by 1. That said, I see no reason why you couldn't switch it by taking off/putting on the stone, nor do I see why you can't have more than one and affect each class.
That's what makes sense to me.
No the Stone doesn't say +1 Caster level to one of your casting classes, it's a flat +1 caster level. If you happen to be a multiclass character with 2 casting classes it effects both equally.
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While you're right about the wording Mr. Vulture Demon :), I cited another place where that wording occurs and how it works. Since there isn't clarification, I went with the PrC precedent. That said, I don't think your interpretation is overpowered at all and I'd go with it at your table.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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Orange Prism +1 caster level 30,000 gp
I assume that would grant you 5th level spells if you are say 8th level.
But what if you are an 8th level cleric and a 1st level Sorcerer
An 8th level Cleric and 1st level Sorcerer using an Orange would be:
9th level Cleric caster level with 4th level spells (no 5th level Spells) and 2nd level Sorcerer.It doesn't grant LEVELS in a class, just caster level bonus. Levels grant spell of new level (5th level spells for instance in your example) but caster level 99 in a 1st level Wizard only has access to 1st level spells.
One more important point, you could have 99 of the Orange stones on a 1st level Sorcerer and still only be caster level 2.
An 8th level Cleric and 1st level Sorcerer using an Orange would be:
9th level Cleric caster level with 4th level spells (no 5th level Spells) and 2nd level Sorcerer.
That vitamin C stuff sure is awesome!
Orange Prism +1 caster level 30,000 gp
Ok, it says +1 caster level. I assume that would grant you 5th level spells if you are say 8th level.
But what if you are an 8th level cleric and a 1st level Sorcerer
Could you effectively switch which caster class you want the +1 caster level for every time you put the Ioun stone on? Could you have two Orange Ioun stones (one for each of the caster classes)?
Spell levels are a function of class levels not caster levels. Your caster level can increase but doing so doesn't always increase your class level which is what you gain new spells by.
Also bonuses from the same source do not stack -- an orange prism ioun stone is the same bonus as any other orange prism ioun stone and therefore you wouldn't gain an additional bonus from two.
My understanding is the orange ioun stone would work for each class that you have that has a caster level -- but on this part I could be wrong.
Technically granting +1 caster level for the 8 level cleric DOES allow him to cast 5 level spells. BUT as he does not have any 5 level spell slots, effectively he can't do it any way.
Think of it as the opposite of losing caster level(s) through negative levels. When that happens, the caster is disallowed to cast the spells of levels his caster level is unable to support. But his spells slots are still availiable for casting lower level spells.
In regards to working for multiple casters levels, I'd say yes. There aren't much basis in the rules for a clear cut ruling, and that just seems right to me.
In regards to working for multiple casters levels, I'd say yes. There aren't much basis in the rules for a clear cut ruling, and that just seems right to me.
Thanks for the insight guys. As for the quote, I agree, especially for 30,000 g!
I would say that +1 caster level bonus gets you +1 to all caster levels you have unless specified otherwise.
Prestige classes are different matter and worded differently.
As for the quote, I agree, especially for 30,000 g!
It's not something that's worth the cost for every possible build, but in some cases it's pretty good -- one standard example is that if you dispel or expect to be dispelled a lot, having that extra level for opposed caster level checks can be pretty nice.
In a game in which 3.5 Complete Divine's Divine Spell Power (I don't have the book handy so I'm not 100% on the name -- basically the feat that let you burn a turn attempt to jack up your caster level) is allowed you can potentially jack your caster level up by a total of +10 or so including the ioun stone, karma bead, etc. -- allowing you to get to a point where if you cast Holy Word you may kill your neutral party members accidentally without a save.
Helps overcome spell resistance too....30k isn't going to seem so expensive when your spell actually lands on a BBEG instead of fizzling and wasting your turn.
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Just out of curiosity, if you have to choose one of the following two choices, which one would you pick?
1. Get the orange ioun stone.
2. Shelf out another 6K for the Pearl of Power (6th lvl)
Choice 1 gets you lots of little +1s (overcoming SR, dispell, extra dmg (ie. disintegrate), extra duration, etc...), but it doesn't get you extra spells (which would be kinda broken for 30K) or better spell DC. For small benefits, the 30K price tag seems a bit much...
Choice 2 gets you more versatility. Of course, you can also get scrolls...
Probably #1 -- doubly so for a spontaneous caster.
There's always something good to be gained from a higher caster level. Duration, damage, bigger bonuses from scaling spells like Greater Magic Weapon etc., more difficult to dispel, and so on.
That being said, it wouldn't be something I'd buy that early on.
In most every case, I'd prefer the ioun stone. Actually, I'd probably prefer several smaller pearls of power; you can get four 3rd level pearls of power for the same price as a single 6th level one, and there are quite a few excellent 3rd level spells that would be useful to have multiples of, such as fly, haste, and so on.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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Just out of curiosity, if you have to choose one of the following two choices, which one would you pick?
1. Get the orange ioun stone.
2. Shelf out another 6K for the Pearl of Power (6th lvl)
No contest option 1.
In fact, until you have option 1 you should save up for it before buying any type of PoP type items.