Magical knack and Su / Sp / SLAs

[TGMaxMaxer]

Does the Magical Knack Trait add to non-spell based level variables?

Magical Knack wrote:

You were raised, either wholly or in part, by a magical creature, either after it found you abandoned in the woods or because your parents often left you in the care of a magical minion. This constant exposure to magic has made its mysteries easy for you to understand, even when you turn your mind to other devotions and tasks. 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 raise your caster level above your current Hit Dice.

For example a Fighter 2/ (caster class)2 ... examples:

Sorcerer Bloodline abilities, like the 1/2 level damage on touch/ray abilites?
Bard Song DCs such as Fascinate, etc.(will save vs 10 + 1/2 level + cha)
Witch Hexes (number of rounds evil eye lasts, DCs, etc.)
Cleric Domain powers based on level, much the same as above (since it's not limited to arcane like i originally thought)
Inquisitor powers, such as number of bane rounds/level of judgement bonuses.

I did a quick search, but couldn't find this unless i'm just blind. It's early, it's definitely possible I missed it.

[partyrico]

Magical knack does not increase your level for those abilities because magical knack increases your caster level, while those abilities are dependent on your sorcerer level. Other items or feats like varisian tattoo or karma bead for example would also not increase your level for similar abilities.

[Edenwaith]

partyrico wrote:

Magical knack does not increase your level for those abilities because magical knack increases your caster level, while those abilities are dependent on your sorcerer level. Other items or feats like varisian tattoo or karma bead for example would also not increase your level for similar abilities.

I'm totally confused. What's a level 3 Sorcerer's sorcerer level and what is a level 3 Sorcerer's caster level. Are they indistinguishable? Now character level I understand. A level 3 Sorcerer and level 2 Paladin is character level 5. Now if you were to ask me about this particular character and what Sorcerer level I thought he was I would say...3

However, if you turned around and also asked me what caster level he was I would then say...3

I'm so confused.

[TGMaxMaxer]

That's the same thing i'm in. You get certain powers/bloodline abilities/effects at certain class/character level, but things that just say +1/2 level it's not clear if they mean class or caster level.

I wouldn't expect to get the energy resist bloodline ability from a fighter 2/sorc 2 with magical knack (sorcerer), but I would think his acid ray would do 1d6+2 (1/2 of caster level 4) instead of 1d6+1 (1/2 of his class level).

[Rynjin]

Class abilities are always based on class level except where specified otherwise.

Magical Knack increases your caster level. That's it. Not your CLASS level.

Two entirely different things.

A Sorcerer 2/Fighter 1 has a caster level of 2, and a Sorcerer level of 2, with a total character level of 3 (entirely different things, each of them). With Magical Knack it's a caster level of 3, but still a SORCERER level of 2.

Bloodline abilities are based on Sorcerer level. Ergo they do not increase with Magical Knack.

[Grizzly the Archer]

Would something like a qinngong monks SLA be able to be increased from magical knack? Or no, due to class level being the caster level for the SLA?

[Mojorat]

No, from what i remember the quigong monk doesnt have sla he has su abilities. Basically he doesnt have a caster level. He just uses his class level in place of one.

[paul Riggs]

does magical knack help a bard with his class abilities as a bard
a 9th level bard/sorcerer/alchemist

does he get the inspire confidence +3 to hit and damage?

[Nefreet]

No.

The reason this gets confusing is because Pathfinder (and really most RPGs) use the same term, "level", to describe multiple subjects.

You have character level, referring to the total # of levels your character has in all classes.

You have class level, referring to the # of levels your character has in a particular class.

And you have caster level, which effects the variables of spells, SLAs, concentration checks, and caster level checks.

Magical Knack would not help a Bard-7/Fighter-2 count as a 9th level Bard for any Bardic abilities, but he would count as a 9th level caster for determining the effects of his Bardic spells.

[Illeist]

Wait, I thought we were going down a level?

[Nefreet]

I love OotS.