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Quick couple of questions on how this feat works if you've got more than one casting class;
Relevant Text
Prerequisite: Ability to cast arcane spells.
...For every five caster levels you possess, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
If you multiclass two arcane casting classes, is it based on total caster level, or just highest?
If you multiclass Arcane + non-Arcane casting classes, is it based on your highest arcane casting class level, your total arcane casting class level, your highest caster level even if it isn't Arcane, or your total caster levels across all classes?
Looks like it should be based on your highest caster level, given how they generally dislike multiclassing, if multiple classes stacked, I think it would have been mentioned.
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There are different opinions. Assuming a Wizard 5 / Sorcerer 5 / Arcanist 3 / Magus 2;
1: Add all arcane caster levels together; 5+5+3+2 = 15 / 5 = 3 + 1 = +4
2: Add bonus points from each arcane class; 1 + 1 for Wiz 5 + 1 for Sor 5 = +3
3: Add bonus points from highest arcane class; 1 + 1 for Wiz 5 = +2
Personally, I go with option 1. I haven't seen anyone include non-arcane class levels previously.
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For every five caster levels you possess
If for the purpose of answering this question, you decided to take 1 level in Sorc, 1 in Wizard, 1 in Bard, 1 in Magus, and 1 in Witch, you would possess 5 Arcane caster levels. I see no problem in allowing caster levels to stack for this feat. The most you're ever going to get out of it is +5 damage at 20th level.
Seeing how the feat's name is Arcane Strike, and the prerequisite is the ability to cast arcane spells, I'd assume divine and psychic caster levels don't apply. I know it doesn't say so, but...
For every five caster levels you possess
Seeing how the feat's name is Arcane Strike, and the prerequisite is the ability to cast arcane spells, I'd assume divine and psychic caster levels don't apply. I know it doesn't say so, but...
It's the psychic caster multiclass that I had in mind; thinking of a mindblade Magus dipping a level in Sorcerer to qualify for AS and pick up Martial Flexibility.
option 3.
Reason is it behaves as option 2, but since the untyped damage is from the same source they don't stack. So you have all your arcane giving you bonus damage, but only the highest actually matters.
option 3.
Reason is it behaves as option 2, but since the untyped damage is from the same source they don't stack. So you have all your arcane giving you bonus damage, but only the highest actually matters.
But it's untyped damage, which WOULD stack.
Untyped doesn't stack if from the same source.
Quick couple of questions on how this feat works if you've got more than one casting class;
Relevant Text
Prerequisite: Ability to cast arcane spells.
...For every five caster levels you possess, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.If you multiclass two arcane casting classes, is it based on total caster level, or just highest?
If it's not the same class that's being progressed such as wizard/loremaster, sorcerer/ dragon disciple. There is no such thing as a "total caster" level. A first level wizard and a second level sorcerer has two caster levels, one first and one second... there is no total level third.
So in that case you get to pick if you're effectively first or second level.
If you multiclass Arcane + non-Arcane casting classes, is it based on your highest arcane casting class level, your total arcane casting class level, your highest caster level even if it isn't Arcane, or your total caster levels across all classes?
Since the feat requires and it's variables are based on arcane casting only, divine and psychic class levels. would be treated as non existent for this calculation.
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Untyped doesn't stack if from the same source.
At which point it becomes a question of 'what is the source'.
I'd argue that Wizard class levels and Sorcerer class levels are clearly different sources.
If you go with a broader source definition like 'arcane class levels' then the individual +1 bonuses from each 5 levels shouldn't stack with each other either... yet the feat clearly says they do, "to a maximum of +5 at 20th level".
So how would you define the 'source' of these +1 bonuses such that they are 'the same'... yet NOT stackable in the way the feat itself specifies?
The source is the feat. It's giving you a bonus based on your caster level. I gives you a +1 or +2 or... or +5.
And because of the no-double-dip FAQ we now know that things can have multiple sources. So it'd be considered wizard levels and the feat, which means it conflicts because the feat is the same.
If all caster levels were added together, mystic theurges would have quite an advantage here. Even the standard wizard/cleric build with no early-entry shenanigans would max out their Arcane Strike damage (which normally happens at level 20) at level 13. And if you have the Magical Knack trait, you'd max it at level 12. I'm pretty sure that's not what's intended here.
For every five caster levels you possess
If for the purpose of answering this question, you decided to take 1 level in Sorc, 1 in Wizard, 1 in Bard, 1 in Magus, and 1 in Witch, you would possess 5 Arcane caster levels. I see no problem in allowing caster levels to stack for this feat. The most you're ever going to get out of it is +5 damage at 20th level.
Seeing how the feat's name is Arcane Strike, and the prerequisite is the ability to cast arcane spells, I'd assume divine and psychic caster levels don't apply. I know it doesn't say so, but...
The feat states caster level, not arcane caster level.
If your divine/psychic caster level is your highest, that is what you use.
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It's caster level, not class level. If you've got multiple classes, the caster levels don't automatically stack, but some of the class features may improve the caster level for both classes (like Sorcerer Bloodlines). And some of the prestige classes do stack caster levels.
So highest caster level.
"Magical Knack" is CORE PFS legal and is probably the best option for multiclass caster traits.
Regarding Arcane Strike, the feat is meant to balance the very low BAB casters who aren't likely to be buying magical weapons or have high strength.
You are almost always better off buying a real magic weapon, than you are with arcane strike. It's just a cheap wizard option to be able to say "I have a plan for melee" with your caster.