Seer Elf Heritage Question

[Cosmosis]

This is perhaps a dumb question, but I am reading through the new 2E Rulebook, and when reading the possible choice of heritages for Elves, the "Seer Elf" states they are granted the ability to cast detect magic as a cantrip. However, what if a Seer Elf is selected for a Class without spellcasting abilities. Would that character still be able to cast just this one cantrip? Or would it be null?

[David knott 242]

They would gain that cantrip only.

The heritage does describe this ability as an innate spell.

[Faenor]

There's also a general feat that gives the same ability "Arcane Sense" and the only requirement is to be trained in Arcana, not being a spellcaster. It looks like getting a few spells is much easier in 2E by design, but multiclassing as a caster is much weaker.

[lordcirth]

Faenor wrote:

There's also a general feat that gives the same ability "Arcane Sense" and the only requirement is to be trained in Arcana, not being a spellcaster. It looks like getting a few spells is much easier in 2E by design, but multiclassing as a caster is much weaker.

Multiclassing as a caster also costs far less, however. You don't lose your main progression - class features, HP, proficiency, etc.

[Captain Morgan]

Yeah I'm not sure how multiclassing as a caster is weaker. You don't lose spell levels as a caster or BAB as a martial.

[Cosmosis]

Thanks, everyone! I was really confused, since I might roll up a Champion as my first character and take the Seer Elf heritage, but realized I would not have any general spellcasting opportunities anymore.