I thought this would be a pretty cool idea for a feat, but I couldn't find anything like it anywhere. I decided to just write it up myself, and ask for feedback on it.
Arcane/Bardic/Divine/Druidic Legacy
Your spell casting experience continues to bolster your training in other areas.
Prerequisites: Ability to cast spells.
Benefit: Add half the levels you have in classes other than your caster class to your caster level to determine your effective caster level for spells known/spells per day. This feat does not grant you the ability to cast higher level spells; only more spells of the levels you can already cast. For example, a 5th level sorcerer/8th level fighter with this feat would gain additional spells known/spells per day appropriate to a 9th level sorcerer (5+8/2=9), but wouldn't gain access to 3rd or 4th level spells. This feat does not grant access to any other caster class features.
Special: You can select this feat more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat, it applies to a different caster class.
Feat name can obviously be modified to be appropriate to the caster class it's applied to, even beyond the names I suggested.
I'm not sure if it should also increase effective caster level for DC checks or other things related to caster level, but I'm thinking not.
Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?
bump
Without gaining the higher level spells this feat becomes nearly useless. Any class would gain at most 4 more spells per day/known at highest level. Depending on the level you take it, a character may actually gain only 1 over their whole build.
Conversly, gaining new spell levels would be very problematic at high levels, especially for a 3 or more class composition. An oracle 1/sorcerer 1/fighter 18 can take this feat twice and be as effective as an oracle 10/sorcerer 10/fighter 18 without severe MAD. Or a wizard 10/sorcerer 10 would be a wizard 15/sorcerer 15. Yes, they wouldn't have 9th level spells, but the sheer versatility, especially when you factor in metamagic, is frightening.
this might not be bad for an eldrtich knight though.
Without gaining the higher level spells this feat becomes nearly useless. Any class would gain at most 4 more spells per day/known at highest level. Depending on the level you take it, a character may actually gain only 1 over their whole build.
Conversly, gaining new spell levels would be very problematic at high levels, especially for a 3 or more class composition. An oracle 1/sorcerer 1/fighter 18 can take this feat twice and be as effective as an oracle 10/sorcerer 10/fighter 18 without severe MAD. Or a wizard 10/sorcerer 10 would be a wizard 15/sorcerer 15. Yes, they wouldn't have 9th level spells, but the sheer versatility, especially when you factor in metamagic, is frightening.
I don't know what you mean. An Oracle 1/Sorcerer 1/Fighter 18 would only get a lot more 0 level spells, which is hardly as effective as an Oracle 10/Sorcerer 10.
Also the Wizard 10/Sorcerer 10 build would still only be able to cast up to 5th level spells, they'd only gain more known/per day. You're trading all of your higher level spells for more lower level ones in this case. I don't see how metamagic feats would make this too powerful, because metamagic'd spells cost higher spells slots. You'd still only be casting as a 10th level wizard or sorcerer. Just more spells.
I can see what you mean about this feat being less useful without the higher level spells, but with those higher level spells, it would be too powerful.
At the cost of a feat, your multiclass character can gain more daily casts of the highest level spells you know. I think that sounds like a reasonable trade, though it's better for some multiclass casters than others. For example, it's a great feat for that Bard 10/Fighter 10 who wants to be able to cast more than 1 4th level spell per day.
Nonetheless, thanks for the feedback. Keep it coming. =D
I do think that, do to FAQ rulings regarding Sla's (and the now viable Aasimar mystic theurge at level 3), you could take this twice and cause trouble. I can picture an Aasimar sorcerer5/oracle5/Mystic Theurge10 getting a unholy crap ton of spells.
this might not be bad for an eldrtich knight though.
Spells per Day
From 2nd level on, when a new Eldritch Knight level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that she adds the level of Eldritch Knight to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly.
I don't know of any classes in pathfinder that have this ability, but if you're using this feat with a character with this ability the effects don't stack. Both change the effective caster level for calculating spells per day (one by half of other class levels, and the other by all of a certain class). They don't add a static number of bonus spells.
I would also say that all Eldritch Knight levels count as levels in the caster class chosen BEFORE calculating extra spells from the feat. It wouldn't help a Wizard 10/Eldritch Knight 10 (who already gets max spells per day for a wizard), but it would help a Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 5/Fighter 10 in the same way it would help a Wizard 10/Fighter 10.
Otherwise, the feat would be next to useless for most Eldritch Knight class combos.
I do think that, do to FAQ rulings regarding Sla's (and the now viable Aasimar mystic theurge at level 3), you could take this twice and cause trouble. I can picture an Aasimar sorcerer5/oracle5/Mystic Theurge10 getting a unholy crap ton of spells.
As with the Eldritch Knight I mentioned above, the class ability would not stack with this feat, so that Oracle 5/Sorcerer 5/Mystic Theurge 10 would only gain a few 7th level spells from this feat(2 arcane, 2 divine), assuming they take the feat twice.
I don't see how that's overpowered.
this might not be bad for an eldrtich knight though.Spells per Day
From 2nd level on, when a new Eldritch Knight level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. This essentially means that she adds the level of Eldritch Knight to the level of whatever other arcane spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day and caster level accordingly.
I don't know of any classes in pathfinder that have this ability, but if you're using this feat with a character with this ability the effects don't stack. Both change the effective caster level for calculating spells per day (one by half of other class levels, and the other by all of a certain class). They don't add a static number of bonus spells.
I would also say that all Eldritch Knight levels count as levels in the caster class chosen BEFORE calculating extra spells from the feat. It wouldn't help a Wizard 10/Eldritch Knight 10 (who already gets max spells per day for a wizard), but it would help a Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 5/Fighter 10 in the same way it would help a Wizard 10/Fighter 10.
Otherwise, the feat would be next to useless for most Eldritch Knight class combos.
The reasons that it allows what I said (as it's currently written) are as follows.
1.This feat is not at identical to the class feature, nor does it claim to be. The feat adds half your non-caster character level to your caster level to determine the spells known/ per day up to the level of spell learned by the class itself. The class ability simply adds the level of the its class to the level of a class it belongs to. Functionally similar, yes, but not the same and therefore stacks.2. Referring to the bolded above, a Prestige only qualifies as the class in regards to it's inherent spellcasting, it doesn't count for anything else (like feats).
There however is a simple fix to make this feat function as you wish it to.
Your spell casting experience continues to bolster your training in other areas. Just a thought, but how about "You continue to bolster your spellcaster training, even as you pursue other methods"
Prerequisites: Ability to cast spells.
Benefit: Add half the levels you have in classes other than your caster class to your caster level to determine your effective caster level for spells known/spells per day. This feat does not grant you the ability to cast higher level spells; only more spells of the levels you can already cast. For example, a 5th level sorcerer/8th level fighter with this feat would gain additional spells known/spells per day appropriate to a 9th level sorcerer (5+8/2=9), but wouldn't gain access to 3rd or 4th level spells. This feat does not grant access to any other caster class features.
Special: You can select this feat more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat, it applies to a different caster class. If you have levels in a Prestige Class whose levels stack with other classes to determine spellcasting, then that Prestige Class' levels are counted as the base class for the relevance of this feat.
That should make the intent clear
I don't see how you could stack the two effects.
If I'm a Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 10, I would already calculate spells per day as a Wizard 15. With this feat (if the prestige class levels weren't counted as Wizard levels) I would calculate spells per day as a Wizard 10. You obviously can't count it as both a level 10, and 15 wizard for determining spells per day.
The reason they don't stack is because they both do the same thing; modify caster level for determining spells per day. You can't determine spells per day as two different levels; therefore they can't stack.
Your suggested fix to the feat description is a reasonable addition.
I'd still like to hear more feedback. It's occurred to me that there's already a feat called Expanded Arcana that also grants extra spells, so I'm not sure if this seems overpowered in comparison.
One of the main differences I can see between choosing one feat over the other is that Expanded Arcana works better for a character who doesn't multiclass, while mine works better for the multiclasser, or spellsword type character.
Do you think there's still room for both?
I would be hesitant on allowing any feat that scales with a character with so few prerequisites. When looking to increase your effectiveness as a spellcaster as you multiclass, there are already a number of d20 mechanical devices to draw inspiration from. As mentioned earlier, there are feats to add additional spells known and I believe there is a feat to add additional spell slots. If not, I'm sure something relatively balanced could be hammered out.
However, what you seem to be talking about is caster level, and that directly affects how powerful a spell is when cast. While it might be tricky balancing the mechanics for increasing caster level, at least one source of inspiration from the traits section seems like it could help.
Magical Knack [Magic Trait]
Backstory fulfilling fluff text...
Benefit: Pick a class when you gain this trait—your caster level in that class gains a +2 trait bonus as long as this bonus doesn’t increase your caster level higher than your current Hit Dice.
Since traits are about on par with a half-feat, you could easily transition to:
Advanced Magical Study (General Feat)
More backstory fluff for all those roleplayers out there...
Benefit: Pick a class when you select this feat. Your caster level in that class gains a +4 bonus as long as this bonus doesn't increase your caster level higher than your current Hit Dice.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times. Each time you select this feat, you may choose the same class or a different class to apply the benefits to; the effects of this feat stacks.
Combine with the aforementioned feats for increasing your spells known and spell slots, I think something like this could be perfectly balanced for play. Hope that helps.
You make an interesting point, Pheoran. A feat that grants an increase to caster level might fill a larger demand than one that adds spells known/per day to a caster's repertoire.
I thought about whether or not this feat should increase caster level for spell power or other things, but it seemed like too much, at least for one feat.
Your spell casting ability continues to improve as you pursue other areas of training.
Prerequisites: Ability to cast spells.
Benefit: Add half the levels you have in classes other than your caster class to your caster level to determine your effective caster level for determining the power of spells, overcoming spell resistance, and dispel checks. This feat does not grant access to any other caster class features.
Special: You can select this feat more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat, it applies to a different caster class. Levels in prestige classes that add caster levels to an existing class count as that class for the purpose of this feat.
Improved Mystic Legacy
Your number of daily spells continues to improve as you pursue other areas of training.
Prerequisites: Mystic Legacy
Benefit: Your increased effective caster level gained from Mystic Legacy is also used for determining spells known/spells per day. This feat does not grant you the ability to cast higher level spells; only more spells of the levels you can already cast. For example, a 5th level sorcerer/8th level fighter with this feat would gain additional spells known/spells per day appropriate to a 9th level sorcerer (5+8/2=9), but wouldn't gain access to 3rd or 4th level spells.
Special: You can select this feat more than once. Its effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat, it applies to a different caster class that you have selected for Mystic Legacy.
Does it seem more balanced to have it as two feats, where the first one increases your caster level for spell power, and the second for additional spells?
You make an interesting point, Pheoran. A feat that grants an increase to caster level might fill a larger demand than one that adds spells known/per day to a caster's repertoire.
I thought about whether or not this feat should increase caster level for spell power or other things, but it seemed like too much, at least for one feat.
** spoiler omitted **
I see what you are trying to do, but it is the "add half the levels" part that is throwing me... a lot. First, it makes for more invisible half levels and fractional book keeping then is necessary. If you give a static bonus to caster level instead of using half values, you make it easier to players and GMs alike. Additionally, whenever you have to bring fractional math into the example of how something works that goes beyond "+1/4 so every four levels you gain a +1 bonus" that is sort of a red flag.
Rarely do feats scale with a character's advancement. If you want to increase caster level, I would go with a static bonus like I suggested above. If you want to increase spells known, use Expanded Arcana. If you want to gain additional spell slots, make it 1 additional slot or 2 additional slots one level lower than your highest level of spells.
Advanced Magic
You find time to advance the study of your magical arts.
Prerequisites: Caster level 1st.
Benefit: Pick a class when you select this feat. Your caster level in that class gains a +4 bonus as long as this bonus doesn't increase your caster level higher than your current Hit Dice.
Special: You may select this feat multiple times. Each time you select this feat, you may choose the same class or a different class to apply the benefits to; the effects of this feat stacks.
Expanded Arcana
Your research has revealed new spells.
Prerequisites: Caster level 1st, see Special.
Benefit: Add one spell from your class’s spell list to your list of spells known. This is in addition to the number of spells normally gained at each new level in your class. You may instead add two spells from your class’s spell list to your list of spells known, but both of these spells must be at least one level lower than the highest level spell you can cast in that class. Once made, these choices cannot be changed.
Special: You can only take this feat if you possess levels in a class whose spellcasting relies on a limited list of spells known, such as the bard, oracle, and sorcerer. You can gain Expanded Arcana multiple times.
Extra Spell Slot
Your training has revealed untapped magical reserves.
Prerequisites: Caster level 1st.
Benefit: You gain an additional spell slot for preparing and casting spells. This is in addition to the number of spell slots normally gained at each new level in your class. You may instead add two spell slots, but both of these slots much be at least one level lower than the highest level spell slot you have. Once made, these choices cannot be changed.
Special: You can gain Extra Spell Slot multiple times.
Cheers.
Pheoran's Advanced Magic feat looks a lot like Practiced Spellcaster, except Advanced Magic can be taken multiple times for the same class. Nether Expanded Arcana or Extra Spell Slot allow you gain spells higher than what you already knew so they need to be reworded to allow for that. Maybe add it in the special line, I'm too lazy to work out how to word it.
I like that Expanded Arcana and Extra Spell Slot are powered up from there 3.0 versions, they only gave 1 spell at 1 level lower than your highest known.