Can you craft a scroll with a higher caster level than your actual caster level?
I'm currently in a game in which there is a PC wizard that I would like to ask to craft me 3 scrolls of scorching ray CL11, but his CL is 8 (or 9 if he retrains which he may or may not be able to do he wants to though). Is this possible? Or do I need to buy them?
No.
"A creator can create an item at a lower caster level than her own, but never lower than the minimum level needed to cast the needed spell."
The rules allow you to create a magic item lower than your own caster level. They don't allow you to create a magic item higher than your caster level.
Note that a specific caster level isn't a requirement for crafting a magic item beyond the rule above regarding minimum level for a spell, so you can't use the rules for ignoring prerequisites by increasing the Spellcraft DC to bypass this part of item crafting.
"Requirements: Certain requirements must be met in order for a character to create a magic item. These include feats, spells, and miscellaneous requirements such as level, alignment, and race or kind. The prerequisites for creation of an item are given immediately following the item’s caster level.
You can make magic items with a caster level higher than your own. Caster level requirements are one of the things that can be bypassed. The only reason you would need to do that is if the item had a higher caster level than your own. Assuming you had the feat and the gold, you can totally make a +5 sword (Caster level requirement 15th) at 5th level.
That being said:
Caster Level (CL): The next item in a notational entry gives the caster level of the item, indicating its relative power. The caster level determines the item's saving throw bonus, as well as range or other level-dependent aspects of the powers of the item (if variable). It also determines the level that must be contended with should the item come under the effect of a dispel magic spell or similar situation.
For potions, scrolls, and wands, the creator can set the caster level of an item at any number high enough to cast the stored spell but not higher than her own caster level. For other magic items, the caster level is determined by the item itself.
Potions, scrolls, and wands can not be made with a caster level higher than yours.
You can make magic items with a caster level higher than your own. Caster level requirements are one of the things that can be bypassed. The only reason you would need to do that is if the item had a higher caster level than your own. Assuming you had the feat and the gold, you can totally make a +5 sword (Caster level requirement 15th) at 5th level.
The caster level of the item is still your own caster level, even if you're bypassing requirements for the item. If you're 5th level, the caster level of the item you've made is 5th level, even if it had a 15th level crafting prerequisite that you bypassed.
No you can't just increase the CL by increasing the DC, but...
The creator must have prepared the spell to be scribed (or must know the spell, in the case of a sorcerer or bard) and must provide any material component or focus the spell requires. A material component is consumed when she begins writing, but a focus is not. (A focus used in scribing a scroll can be reused.) The act of writing triggers the prepared spell, making it unavailable for casting until the character has rested and regained spells. (That is, that spell slot is expended from the caster's currently prepared spells, just as if it had been cast.)
Your interest in magic was inspired by witnessing a spell being cast in a particularly dramatic method, perhaps even one that affected you physically or spiritually. This early exposure to magic has made it easier for you to work similar magic on your own. Pick one spell when you choose this trait—from this point on, whenever you cast that spell, its effects manifest at +1 caster level.
You must be able to cast the spell you put on the Scroll. If you can cast it at a higher level, you can put it on the Scroll.
Note: If you increase the CL, you also increase the DC to create it.
There are also items such as the orange prism ioun stone that increase your caster level for all spells, not just one spell. Still, whatever method you're using, you cannot create an item whose caster level is higher than your own caster level.
There are also items such as the orange prism ioun stone that increase your caster level for all spells, not just one spell. Still, whatever method you're using, you cannot create an item whose caster level is higher than your own caster level.
Again, that is wrong. And the FAQ states so (the question is specifically about a pearl of power, but the answer would still apply elsewhere):
For example, a 3rd-level wizard with Craft Wondrous Item can create a 1st-level pearl, with a minimum caster level of 1. He can set the caster level to whatever he wants (assuming he can meet the crafting DC), though the pearl's caster level has no effect on its powers (other than its ability to resist dispel magic). If he wants to make a 2nd-level pearl, the caster level has to be at least 3, as wizards can't cast 2nd-level spells until they reach character level 3. He can even try to make a 3rd-level pearl, though the minimum caster level is 5, and he adds +5 to the DC because he doesn't meet the "able to cast 3rd-level spells" requirement
Note that it is not "He can set the caster level to whatever he wants, up to a maximum of his caster level". You can set the caster level of an item as high as you want, regardless of your caster level.
However (as I noted earlier) potions, scrolls, and wands have specific text that prohibits you from using a caster level higher than your own. Other magic items have no such limitation.
Oh I know that you can craft an item with a higher caster level than your own, JDLPF is quite wrong, the question was are scrolls an exception? The answer seems to be that they are. Thank you.
JDLPF, next time you are responding be a bit more careful, you could lead people into uncomfortable circumstances if they take you at your word. No offense.
I think it was also clarified somewhere that you could use another spellcasting source to meet the prerequisites. For example, you could have a 1st-level wizard with Scribe Scroll make a CL 10 fireball scroll for you, provided you can cast a CL 10 fireball on his behalf during the construction process (and that he can make the Spellcraft check DC).