Do you gain Cleric Domain Spells if you prestige to Holy Vindicator?

[Wyane380]

The FAQ states that you get nothing from the "+1 to existing divine spellcaster class" that isn't listed in the original class's Spell section. http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9rae

Some people argue that domain is an ability that is fully granted at cleric's first level and while you wouldn't gain any more domain powers you would still gain the domain spells. I argue it works like sorcerer's bloodlines and you don't get the spells if you don't put in the levels into the base class. The ambiguity arises because the FAQ doesn't specifically list cleric (though it does contain an et cetera). It also feels unfair that only clerics get their extra spells once they leave their class.

My friend is planning on playing a Holy Vindicator and we've been arguing back and forth about this for a few days. I was hoping to get a definitive answer before we brought it up to our GM, so if this has been answered in the past I would appreciate a link. If not, I'd love for a design team member to weigh in on this and why.

[Chess Pwn]

you gain the spells. They get a domain slot for every spell level they can cast.
It's similar to a sorcerer's bloodline working for cleric spells.

[Wyane380]

Chess Pwn wrote:

you gain the spells. They get a domain slot for every spell level they can cast.

It's similar to a sorcerer's bloodline working for cleric spells.

The FAQ specifically states that the sorcerer does not get access to higher level bloodline spells.

[Chess Pwn]

You are very correct. I never said they get bloodlline spells.

[Wyane380]

I'm confused, can you explain how the bloodline is similar to domains and yet you gain the spells from domains and not bloodlines?

[Chess Pwn]

if a sorcerer takes the fire dragon bloodline and casts a cleric spell with fire, then the cleric spell gets the +1 damage per die. It's just something that effects their magic.

But really this line in the cleric domain ability, "A cleric gains one domain spell slot for each level of cleric spell she can cast" means that when they gain a spell slot for a new spell level, they get the domain spell too.

Same with wizard schools.

[James Risner]

Notably, this is different than orcale mystery spells. They don't work like bloodline spells don't work when advancing via a prestige class.

[Drimoran]

You get the domain spell slots, but you do not get any domain spell. You can use these higher level domain spell slots with lower domain spells that you already know.

[Archaeik]

Drimoran wrote:

You get the domain spell slots, but you do not get any domain spell. You can use these higher level domain spell slots with lower domain spells that you already know.

This is wrong, acquisition of domain spells is expressly tied to slots, not class level (like sorcerers).

[Selgard]

Rules forum, rules answer.

Quote:

Each domain grants a number of domain powers, dependent upon the level of the cleric, as well as a number of bonus spells. A cleric gains one domain spell slot for each level of cleric spell she can cast, from 1st on up. Each day, a cleric can prepare one of the spells from her two domains in that slot. If a domain spell is not on the cleric spell list, a cleric can prepare it only in her domain spell slot. Domain spells cannot be used to cast spells spontaneously.

While I would likely disallow it in a home game, the rules fully support (and only support) the conclusion that a cleric who enters into a PRC that progresses their cleric spellcasting would also progress their domain spells.

Looking at other classes that do or don't allow it really doesn't help when the cleric text itself directly says it works.

-S

[Dragonchess Player]

Clerics, and druids who select a domain, gain the domain spells/spell slots when they can cast spells of the appropriate level, even if they gain the extra casting ability from a prestige class. They do not however gain additional domain powers (or improve powers based on cleric level), unless specifically granted by the prestige class.

Wizards who specialize in a school and gain extra casting from a prestige class get the bonus school spell slot at each spell level, but do not gain any "free" spells in their spellbooks for prestige class levels (as this is explicitly a feature of wizard levels in the text: "At each new wizard level, he gains two new spells..."; emphasis mine).

Sorcerers who take levels in a prestige class (other than dragon disciple) do not gain improvements to existing bloodline powers or any new bloodline powers, bloodline spells, or bloodline feats. Likewise, oracles and witches gain no additional mystery spells or patron spells when taking prestige class levels (note the rage prophet gains different mystery spells as a class feature and the winter witch adds spells to the spell list, but the witch doesn't automatically learn them).