Magical Knack trait and Paladin Caster levell

[Qayinisorouse]

Hey guys,
the Magical Knack trait is said to give +2 caster levels to a character, up to their hit die.

For a paladin, if im levle 10, my caster level is 6, (correct? paladin level minux 4).

If i take the trait, does that mean that a level 10 paladin will have a caster level of 8? and if so, would you say that is worthwhile?

[DM-DR]

Very close.

A Paladin's caster level is actually Paladin Levels -3. In this case, the trait will make it so you are always only a single level behind (CL 9 @ 10th level).

As far as being worthwhile, it depends. If you are focusing a lot of your character towards casting, then the CL boost is quite substantial. Just remember that Paladins do not get very many spells per day (though the increase in CL does make them count more than usual).

In most cases, focusing on a different aspect is better, but if you want to improve your casting as a paladin, then definitely take it!

[alexd1976]

Not really. It ONLY raises your caster level, so spells that you are able to cast (as a 6th level caster) are calculated as if you were two levels higher.

Slight bump in duration/range.

DOES NOT GIVE EARLY ACCESS TO SPELLS!

DOES NOT INCREASE DAILY SPELLS!

I mean, it's okay as a trait, but I would take other stuff... like +2 initiative...

[doctor_marshmallow]

Qayinisorouse wrote:

Hey guys,

the Magical Knack trait is said to give +2 caster levels to a character, up to their hit die.

For a paladin, if im levle 10, my caster level is 6, (correct? paladin level minux 4).

If i take the trait, does that mean that a level 10 paladin will have a caster level of 8? and if so, would you say that is worthwhile?

As a paladin, you gain a Caster level at 4th of 1. For the entirety of the game, your caster level (CL) is equal to your paladin level -3.

At 10th level, normally your CL is 7. Magical Knack will raise it by 2, so your CL is actually 9.

[DM_Blake]

I would say that's exactly what the trait does.

As for whether it's worthwhile, look at your spell list (and future spells you want to use) and see how many of them have effects and/or duration based on caster level and then ask yourself if those extra two caster levels will make enough difference to make you glad you have this trait.

[Qayinisorouse]

thing is, our group is strong, im the most meh in it (even though i've saved the party many times) the other players have been playing for ~20 years and know optimization to the max
the DM decided that +4 and +5 items are not avilable at the moment (even though we have the Spellcraf and feats for it)

so instead of getting a +5 bow i need to get a +3 bow, so he offered alternative ways to get my hitting up, all of which suck.

he thought that by making divine favor stronger it can solve the gap, i explained that casting +1 (or +2) twice per day for 1 min each isn't gonna do it. but i thought i'd check here with you guys

[DM_Blake]

Are you smiting the enemies that matter? Is your GM making too many non-evil and/or otherwise un-smiteable enemies?

As I've understood it, Paladins don't come off too badly when they can use their smites effectively, but if you're comparing their total tier level to a group of well-made wizards (etc.), then yeah, nothing your paladin will ever do can put him on their level.

[BretI]

As others have pointed out, it would change it from caster level of Paladin -3 to Paladin -1.

In my experience, the caster level matters the most for resisting Dispel Magic and getting through Spell Resistance. It is unlikely you are worried about either of those. It would often give +1 hit / +1 damage with Divine Favor. That can add up but isn't ever going to be a huge advantage.

Since you are already 10th level, think back to the times you have used your spells. Use hindsight to estimate if +2 Caster Level would have done you more good than some other trait.

I usually use Magical Knack when multi-classing.