One of my players, a level 3 alchemist, believes that he gets bonus spells i.e. level 2 spells, because Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells says he gets them.
I know that he only gets access to level 2 spells when he reaches level 4 but I don't have any definitive rule that is not countered by some other phrasing he has found, nor have i found anything that explicitly says he can't use it.
It's important for him because he uses these quotes and they can greatly affect his playstyle. Some rules that he uses to argue are:
"To learn or use an extract, an alchemist must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the extract's level. " and "At each new alchemist level, he gains one new formula of any level that he can create."
However, I've found this on the FAQ:
"Bonus Spells from a High Ability Score: Can I use these even if my spellcasting class level isn't high enough to give me access to those spell levels?
No. You only get the bonus spells if your class level grants you access to those spell levels. You can't even use them for lower-level spells. See page 16, Abilities and Spellcasters section: "In addition to having a high ability score, a spellcaster must be of a high enough class level to be able to cast spells of a given spell level. "
For example, a 1st-level wizard with 18 Intelligence has (according to table 1–3: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells) 1 bonus spell at spell levels 1, 2, and 3. However, he can only use the 1st-level bonus spell because as a 1st-level wizard he only has access to 1st-level spells (his class-based number of 2nd- and 3rd-level spells per day are "—", meaning "no access to spells of this level"). As soon as he becomes a 3rd-level wizard, he gains access to his 2nd-level spell slots and can use that bonus 2nd-level spell slot from his high Intelligence, and likewise for 3rd-level spells and bonus spells at wizard level 5.
Basically, ignore the columns for higher-level spells on table 1–3: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells until your class grants you access to those spell levels.
—Sean K Reynolds, 07/21/11"
He argued that the bonus applies after the -.
We're both a newer player and gm to Pathfinder, and he will accept my ruling--but it'll seem to him like i'm house-ruling, which is not what I want. Is there any rule that I can show him that will help show he can only use level 1 spells? Or is he actually able to cast these spells because he is an alchemist and they follow different rules?
Pretty much the ruling to show him is the one you just showed from the FAQ. If he won't accept that, as what it clearly says, that's his deal. It's not house ruling, if it's following to the letter and spirit what the books, errata or FAQs say. If he doesn't understand this, there's not much else that you can say to persuade him.
See this: Abilities and Spellcasters
Specifically:
In addition to having a high ability score, a spellcaster must be of a high enough class level to be able to cast spells of a given spell level.
Otherwise, having a high ability score (Say, 20 intelligence at first level. Not difficult to do), would grant access to 5th level spells for a wizard. That's incredibly powerful for what's supposed to be a weak, 1st-level character who should barely be more powerful than a commoner at this point.