If before taking levels in Eldritch Knight, a character first took levels in Wizard and specialized in evocation, would his levels in Eldritch Knight add to the damage bonus from Intense Spells?
According to the rules, I don't think it would. But, I don't think it would be terribly overpowered if they did.
I realize however that this is a slippery slope, and were these levels be allowed to stack for this purpose, it would be easy to reason that they should do so across the board.
Would you allow these levels to stack? And where would you draw the line were you to do so?
They do not stack.
All of the specialist powers for wizards state and talk about wizard level.
The Eldritch Knight spell caster levels stack with caster level items, such as number and level of spells.
Yea, I know. Just wondering if it would hurt to let 'em just for that one power.
I am not sure if it would be a good idea to allow that to happen.
You would have to look at all of the wizard powers, including the variants in the APG, if you wanted to make a consistent rule for it. That rule would likely have to address if it only worked for the Eldritch Knight or for any prestige class (Arcane Archer...)
I would like to think that Jason considered that when he wrote up the powers of wizards, and where he carefully used wizard rather than caster level.
RAW, eldritch knight levels do not count for class abilities such as Intense Spells. Core Rulebook, pg. 385: "Diverse Training: An eldritch knight adds his level to any levels of fighter he may have for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites for feats... He also adds his level to any levels in an arcane spellcasting class for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites for feats." Also, "Spells per Day: At the indicated levels, an eldritch knight gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous caster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting."
The issue is if you allow Diverse Training to apply to an evoker's Intense Spells, then you will get players who want it to apply to an abjurer's Resistance, a diviner's Forewarned, or a transmuter's Physical Enhancement...
*nods* what they said... Also, EK levels don't stack into Fighter abilities (Bravery, Armor Training...) so there is no precedent for allowing them to stack into Wizard abilities.
I think one of the best things about PF is that staying Pure Class is it's own reward :) It's no longer 3.5 where the game was to find the best combo of PrC's to maximize into infinity a PC's ability...
EK's get some coolness that is different from both pure casters or pure melees--what else do you need?
GNOME
*nods* what they said... Also, EK levels don't stack into Fighter abilities (Bravery, Armor Training...) so there is no precedent for allowing them to stack into Wizard abilities.
I think one of the best things about PF is that staying Pure Class is it's own reward :) It's no longer 3.5 where the game was to find the best combo of PrC's to maximize into infinity a PC's ability...
EK's get some coolness that is different from both pure casters or pure melees--what else do you need?
GNOME
To be able to use their capstone ability without worrying about having already burnt their swift action, but hey that's just me.
Seriously, it should have been an immediate action.
You can... if you're willing to gamble on the arcane spell failure roll. Or you cast without somatic components.
To be able to use their capstone ability without worrying about having already burnt their swift action, but hey that's just me.
Seriously, it should have been an immediate action.
If you used, say, arcane strike, you can't then use the capstone, making one or the other redundant.
If you went with arcane armour training, it can't be used in conjunction with your capstone--you'd likely be going with still spell. Again making the feat redundant.
Consequently, the use of the Eldritch Knight's capstone renders the 2 feats there were designed for warrior-mages redundant, imo.
You can... if you're willing to gamble on the arcane spell failure roll. Or you cast without somatic components.
To be able to use their capstone ability without worrying about having already burnt their swift action, but hey that's just me.
Seriously, it should have been an immediate action.
If you used, say, arcane strike, you can't then use the capstone, making one or the other redundant.
If you went with arcane armour training, it can't be used in conjunction with your capstone--you'd likely be going with still spell. Again making the feat redundant.
Consequently, the use of the Eldritch Knight's capstone renders the 2 feats there were designed for warrior-mages redundant, imo.
I noticed this as well, but assumed with Silent Spell it might not be that bad. When full-casting, use the armor feats. When in melee keep your quick action open for possible crits (with Silent Spells ready of course). Though, I do agree -- they seem redundant. But, none the less the class still works for the archtype.