11th.
The Reincarnated Druid is kind of like the tree-hugging cousin of a lich... and they get their mojo on at level 5. But obviously, not actually a lich.
Oh wow, sorry about that. The hard coded limit of 11th level was from 3.x. When I went to grab the quote for the template in the bestiary I found this quote
“Lich” is an acquired template that can be added to any living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature), provided it can create the required phylactery.But then there is this one about the phylactery
The character must be able to cast spells and have a caster level of 11th or higher. The phylactery costs 120,000 gp to create and has a caster level equal to that of its creator at the time of creation.
However, if you dismiss the "must" as +5DC that just brings the effective Craft DC to 21. For added fun, use a fighter with master craftsman needing a craft DC of 26 for an entirely non-magical Lich.
FDIT: Fixed DC
Okay, I did some quick math, and I'm sure others can squeeze out more points for this than I can off the top of my head, but a Wizard with: 20 Starting Int, Skill Focus (Spellcraft) +3, and Masterwork Tools for it +2, at level 3 has a 20% chance to fail the crafting check. The problem is that this would still cost 120k GP and 240 days of work, which I don't see as a possibility in a third level campaign, even an insanely uber monty haul campaign.
Then yeah, if you have the 120,000GP at level 3 and are allowed to take 10, you will have a level 3 Lich. You could even skip the skill focus.
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Unless the GM has a special reason for creating an enemy of lower level, I'd keep the hard line at 11th level caster as it says in the creature description. Liches should be iconic powerful undead casters. Reducing their casting level undermines that. If you are a player and your GM allows you to undergo the lich transformation, I'd just wait till 11th level (or later).
You could always be something lich-esque, like a Gravewalker Witch.
Okay, I did some quick math, and I'm sure others can squeeze out more points for this than I can off the top of my head, but a Wizard with: 20 Starting Int, Skill Focus (Spellcraft) +3, and Masterwork Tools for it +2, at level 3 has a 20% chance to fail the crafting check. The problem is that this would still cost 120k GP and 240 days of work, which I don't see as a possibility in a third level campaign, even an insanely uber monty haul campaign.
Due to silly rules clarifications, he can simply Take 10.
So a third level wizard can become a lich if he has the cash.
*headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*
he reason I ask, is that some campaigns do not last long enough to become a lich. Achieving lichdom early provides an answer to this problem.
perhaps the reason they don't last long is stunts like these.
On a more constructive note, a witch with coven could get that CL 11 quite fast.
And I hope you ask your GM before trying such a thing.
But then there is this one about the phylacteryThe character must be able to cast spells and have a caster level of 11th or higher. The phylactery costs 120,000 gp to create and has a caster level equal to that of its creator at the time of creation.
The earliest you can acquire 120K gp is bwtween 12th and 13th though.
Now if you find a way have crafter trait that lowers cst by 10%= you can do it at 12th exactly (but it will be all your starting wealth).
I guess, if you get your allies to share their wealth, you can do it by 8th if 4 people do it.
7th level if 5 people share wealth.
6th level if 7 people share wealth.
5th level if 11 people share wealth, but I've never seen 11 party members before that ascetic.
Actually, Starbuck_II, it entirely depends on how the game is run. Your projections seem accurate, however, for a standard wealth-by-level game.