SoP Caster Level

[ShadowcatX]

So a number of feats, advanced talents, etc. require a certain caster level to be taken. I'll focus on a couple of specific items and hopefully we can extrapolate to the rest.

For a feat let's look at Energy Specialization:

Quote:

Energy Specialization

Prerequisites: Destruction sphere, 5th caster level or higher

For a talent, let's look at disintegrate:

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Disintegrate (blast type)

Prerequisites: Destruction sphere, CL 5th or higher.

Both of these require caster level 5 or higher. But what does that mean with spheres of power? Can a 5th level elementalist who is caster level 5 for destruction but only caster level 3 for other spheres take these feats? What about a fourth level incanter who specialized in destruction (and thus is caster level 5 for destruction sphere)? What about a third level thaumaturge who can be 5th caster level for any sphere, any time he feels like it? What about an Incanter who is specialized in a different sphere, like nature, and thus is 5th level for nature, but 4th for destruction?

I believe in regular Pathfinder, the RAW answer to all of these questions would be no. But that seems out of line for SoP, since that makes the incanter and fey adept (and all other full casters) qualify for destruction sphere things long before the elementalist who is a specialist at that sphere. Should caster level requirements be "caster level in this sphere"? And what about the thaumaturge?

One last question about caster levels because we're on that topic, this question is about Summoning:

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Summoning [Core]

Prerequisites: Conjuration sphere, 1st CL or higher.

Can a 3/4 or 1/2 caster, who has caster level "0 (1)" take this at first level? (Assuming that advanced talents are allowed and that they meet the other requirement?)

Okay, I lied, more questions. Let's say we have a 8th level elementalist admixture specialist with energy specialization feat (so level 8 for destruction, level 10 for his specialized element, and level 6 for other spheres). Let's say he uses an admixture feat, Time Thief for example. Is the DC for the alter time talent save based off his destruction caster level, his specialization caster level (assuming he used his specialized element), or his base caster level for the time sphere? Also, would sphere focus (destruction) increase the difficulty of the saving throw?

One last last question (for real this time). Let's stick with our Time Thief feat. Our caster is using the stone blast type. This allows him to ignore spell resistance, anti-magic fields, and it is not treated as a spell (for creatures that get bonuses to save vs. spells). Does this mean that the time talent mixed into the effect ALSO doesn't have to worry about spell resistance or anti-magic fields?

[SorrySleeping]

I'm inclined to say no since the Elementalist only says he uses his class level as caster level for the Destruction sphere. The Advance talents don't call for CL 5th in Destruction, just CL 5th.

At my table, Elementalist, Incanter (and Shifter) can grab them whenever they qualify but the Thaumturge wouldn't. My table is also pretty lax on rules though. A 5th level Elementalist wouldn't be able to grab CL 5th nature advance talents though.

The 3/4th and 1/2 classes at first level cast at level 1 (otherwise spells are worthless), but they don't actually have a caster level much like the same classes don't have a BAB. Rogues can't pick up power attack or weapon focus at level 1, Elementalist can't pick up Summoning as a talent level 1.

The admixture is adding the time talent as-is. So you'd spend the spell point, do the destruction blast as normal, then do the time talent as normal. You'd use the DC of your normal caster level (6th for this example) and Sphere Focus would not help.

[ShadowcatX]

SorrySleeping wrote:

The admixture is adding the time talent as-is. So you'd spend the spell point, do the destruction blast as normal, then do the time talent as normal. You'd use the DC of your normal caster level (6th for this example) and Sphere Focus would not help.

I just found the rules text (in the admixture feat part) confirming this is correct.

"If your caster level is different for the two spheres, the destructive blast is governed by your caster level for the relevant blast type and the additional effect is governed by your caster level for the appropriate ability."

This makes spellcrafting stronger, but as an advanced magic that's under DM arbitration.