What are the spells where caster level matters most?

[Particle_Man]

I am playing a wishcrafter sorcerer (a bit suboptimal but fun) and am wondering what spells to take as spells that grant others' wishes and increase my caster level by one.

For example, right now I know Summon Monster I and that is great to grant as a wish at 1st level because the summoned critter lasts for 2 rounds instead of 1, making a huge difference at character level 1. I also know grease because it is useful, but it is not really for granting wishes as I don't benefit *that* much from casting it as a 2nd level instead of 1st level caster.

So what other spells should I be looking at in the future that would benefit most from my getting +1 caster level due to granting someone's wish?

I was thinking Dispel Magic, because caster level is directly involved there.

[blashimov]

+1 caster level is a) pretty small and b) there are so many spells that would benefit it's hard to list.

[Paradozen]

Mainly blasts spells benefit, as the bonus can increase the damage dice rolled and on rolls against SR. Also look for spells that increase at set CL (like resist energy and scorching ray) as this gets a bit of a head start on the increases. Disintegrate comes to mind as the biggest benefit, because +1 CL adds 2 dice instead of one. Dispel Magic is also a good pick, as its versatile.

[Cyrad]

Usually damage spells as the damage they deal is almost always scales based on caster level.

[NoTongue]

Actually thought about this for a bit playing an Arcanist.

Black Tentacles because every plus 1 increases the grapple, earlier trip and grapple spells can benefit.

Telekinesis

Create Undead is a very good option as it puts you ahead of the curve on what undead you can make for your level, make sure to have some undead control spells, use command undead and an undead who you created and likes you will certainly kill for you.

Phantom Steed or better yet for the party Phantom Chariot.

Battering blast.

Others of course but I can't remember them at the moment.

The +1 also helps against spell resistance

At higher levels there's an Ioun stone that gives a universal +1 caster level.

[Particle_Man]

blashimov wrote:

+1 caster level is a) pretty small and b) there are so many spells that would benefit it's hard to list.

Agreed, but that is why I asked for which spells benefit the *most* from having +1CL. I mean, even grease gets an increased range every other level, but SM I gets a huge boost at character level 1 (although it becomes a less significant boost as I gain levels - at level 20 I don't suppose it will often matter whether a monster gained by a summon monster X spell lasts 20 rounds or 21 rounds).

[Particle_Man]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas, especially NoTongue!

[Avoron]

Haste and slow would probably be good options for this, because they only last for 1 round/level and they affect one creature/level.

[avr]

Like SM I, vanish needs CL 2+ fairly often. Keep watch needs it to be used at all.

If you're using toppling spell on the aforementioned battering blast, or on magic missile or something, then an extra CL means both damage and a bonus to knock enemies prone.

CL might not affect it too much but euphoric cloud could be easy to twist an enemies' wish to match.

[Ravingdork]

Beast shape IV (or other polymorph spell of choice) when used with the Shapeahifting Mastery mythic archmage path ability. Every boost to your caster level increases your base attack bonus with your polymorph form's natural attacks.

My 15th-level transmuter, Haylannar Whart has an effective BAB of 26 thanks to this combo (using things like Spell Specialization and Spell Perfection to boost caster level).

When Power Attacking, his melee DPR measures over 300 if I remember correctly.

[blashimov]

Ravingdork wrote:

Beast shape IV (or other polymorph spell of choice) when used with the Shapeahifting Mastery mythic archmage path ability. Every boost to your caster level increases your base attack bonus with your polymorph form's natural attacks.

My 15th-level transmuter, Haylannar Whart has an effective BAB of 26 thanks to this combo (using things like Spell Specialization and Spell Perfection to boost caster level).

When Power Attacking, his melee DPR measures over 300 if I remember correctly.

Because casters are always better XD