Ruling regarding the spell: Timely Inspiration.

[Patrick Bailey]

As written Timely Inspiration states "the target gains a +1 competence bonus per five caster levels (maximum +3 bonus) on the attack roll or skill check retroactively."

As stated, it only gives a bonus once the caster reaches 5th level, despite it being a 1st level spell. There is no minimum given. How does this work? Is it meant to be a 1-4th level +1 bonus, 5th-9th level +2 bonus, and 10+ +3 bonus?

Is it a +1 bonus until 10th level at which case it becomes a +2 and then a +3 at 15th level?

Or is it just useless at 1-4th level, becoming finally useful at 5th level and up?

[MurphysParadox]

My assumption is that the spell is meant to provide +1 with an additional +1 per 5 levels (so 1-4 = +1, 5-9 = +2, 10-20 = +3). However, yes, the wording suggests that it is a useless spell until level 5. Though it is rather powerful (retroactive bonuses are very useful), I doubt they'd make it useless.

[Rynjin]

All spells worded like that mean that it is 1 below 5, goes up to +2 at 5, and goes up to +3 at 10.

Take the same rule of thumb for pretty much everything being "Half level 1 minimum" type of stuff. 1 minimum is your general rule of thumb in this game unless it states otherwise.

[cwslyclgh]

given that it is a first level spell I would assume that 1-4th level +1 bonus, 5th-9th level +2 bonus, and 10+ +3 bonus is correct.

[Dosgamer]

I actually thought this spell only granted a +1 bonus until I re-read it last night (my bard has it). The wording of the spell confused me, too, but I think maybe it should read something akin to "grants a +1 competence bonus, increasing by +1 for every 5 caster levels (maximum +3 bonus)."

Just in case, I'm hitting the FAQ button since I didn't see a ruling on it in the FAQ section. Thanks!