BigNorseWolf |
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If you have the arcane strike feat and a divine caster level, can you use the divine caster level if its higher than your arcane caster level? For example a Cleric would a cleric 10/wizard 1 add +3 or +1 points of damage when using this feat?
Prerequisite: Ability to cast arcane spells.
Benefit: As a swift action, you can imbue your weapons with a fraction of your power. For 1 round, your weapons deal +1 damage and are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. For every five caster levels you possess, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
Argument for yes/+3: The feat specifies caster level. It doesn't specify "arcane caster level" beyond the prerequisite. Once you have the feat you can use whatever caster level you want.
Argument for no/+1. The feat is arcane strike. You're drawing on your arcane caster level for the increased power. You have to use your arcane caster level.
darkerthought7 |
This one should get an FAQ simply because the book it appears in is hardcover. For now, you'll have to use interpretation. My reading is: since the prerequisite of the feat specifies "arcane spells," it would key off the highest arcane caster level you possess. So, a Bard3/Wizard5/Cleric3 would use CL5, as that is the highest arcane caster level that character has.
Darksol the Painbringer |
RAW, it would work, because Caster Levels are generic.
RAI, it would be based off of an Arcane Spellcasting Class' Caster Level.
**EDIT**
I hit the FAQ because there might be a corner case where something like this is going to come into question. Multiclassing, going some Scaled Disciple Melee build who wants to pump his melee damage, etc.
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UnArcaneElection |
UnArcaneElection wrote:Divine casters have a 3/4 bab and better self buffs for bashing things already. The arcane strike feat may not have been intended to work with their other abilities.^It would make sense, but I haven't heard of one.
Bards and Magi are arcane casters with 3/4 BAB and pretty good self buffs.
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BigNorseWolf |
BigNorseWolf wrote:UnArcaneElection wrote:Divine casters have a 3/4 bab and better self buffs for bashing things already. The arcane strike feat may not have been intended to work with their other abilities.^It would make sense, but I haven't heard of one.
Bards and Magi are arcane casters with 3/4 BAB and pretty good self buffs.
they're supposed to be gishy
UnArcaneElection |
Just realized that Elemental Strike works just fine on someone who isn't an arcane caster (even not a caster at all) . . . the catches are that you have to be an Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, or Undine, and it doesn't count for overcoming DR/Magic.
Also just realized that Occult casters also have no equivalent of Arcane Strike.
Cao Phen |
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Sidenote:
A Dragonheir Scion gains Arcane Strike, but has no caster levels.
Reksew_Trebla |
1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Sidenote:
A Dragonheir Scion gains Arcane Strike, but has no caster levels.
How does that even work? Do they get no bonuses from the feat until they get Draconic Strike, and even then, none directly from the feat? If they do gain bonuses from it, what determines those bonuses, and would they stack with caster level should they multiclass? I'm really confused on this matter.
Mathmuse |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Cao Phen wrote:How does that even work? Do they get no bonuses from the feat until they get Draconic Strike, and even then, none directly from the feat? If they do gain bonuses from it, what determines those bonuses, and would they stack with caster level should they multiclass? I'm really confused on this matter.Sidenote:
A Dragonheir Scion gains Arcane Strike, but has no caster levels.
I suspect the Eldritch Strikes ability that grants Arcane Strike left out the important line, "The dragonheir scion's fighter levels count as caster levels for Arcane Strike." If we had the answer to BigNoseWolf's original question, then we might know if they stack with other caster levels.
SheepishEidolon |
Another vote for #2.
There is an elemental strike feat which any class can take, so long as they're one of the elemental races.
Alternatively, you can spend your swift action on Caster's Champion. And given we are talking about clerics, both Channel Smite and Energy Channel are further options.
Hmm, I am pretty sure there is another one, relatively new and available to most characters, but can't put my claws on it...
Debnor |
Cao Phen wrote:How does that even work? Do they get no bonuses from the feat until they get Draconic Strike, and even then, none directly from the feat?Sidenote:
A Dragonheir Scion gains Arcane Strike, but has no caster levels.
The ability states that it gives a +1 to damage, and that increases in the bonus are tied to caster level. So they would still get the base +1, even if Mathmuse is incorrect, and they are not supposed to count their fighter levels as caster levels for the feat (though, personally, I agree with Mathmuse).