DragonHeir Scion Archetype Arcane Strike caster level

[Dr.jones]

In the Dragonheir Scion Archetype for the Fighter the 1st level bonus feat is replaced by eldritch Strike, which grants Arcane strike as a bonus feat. The text of Arcane Strike reads as 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. The prerequisite for arcane strike is to be able to cast arcane spells, but is allowed because the text of eldritch strike says you gain it as a bonus feat but do not have to meet the requirements.

I see no text included in the Dragonheir Scion description for the ability that says the class level serves as the caster level, and since the fighter as no arcane ability they would have no caster level. Would it be safe to assume that the fighter level would serve as caster level for the ability? If so that would mean a 5th lvl fighter would gain a +2 bonus when using the ability, correct?

[Theaitetos]

I guess this is an oversight and your interpretation is how it was meant (RAI).

However, Eldritch Strike is a supernatural ability, not a spell-like ability, so I'd say that its caster level equals your total hit dice (i.e. character level), not your Fighter level.

[Diego Rossi]

Quote:

[PFS Legal] Arcane Strike (Combat)

Source PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 118
You draw upon your arcane power to enhance your weapons with magical energy.

Prerequisites: 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.

I disagree, without any wording to the contrary, you get only the base effect: all your weapons deal +1 damage and strike as magic weapons (if you spend a swift action). Without further abilities that give you a caster level, you don't get anything more.

The writer of the archetype has taken into consideration the fact that the Dragonheir Scion hasn't an arcane caster level, as the ability says "She does not need to meet its prerequisites."

The caster level isn't a prerequisite, is the scaling of the feat. If you get Power Attack without the requisite strength you don't get to scale it as a fighter if you are a sorcerer.

Note that you can add the bonus damage even to an already enchanted weapon.

[Nyerkh]

That archetype - fun as it is - has a few known issues, with some RAW v RAI questions left hanging.

I'd assume the intent was to allow you to use your fighter level as your caster level.
But as written, the Dragonheir does not grant you a caster level, and Arcane Strike does not scale.
As you can see, opinions vary.

Where you go with that is up to you and your GM, in the absence of official word (it is a Companion archetype).

(same for the features that replace fighter feats at level you don't get any, the apparent consensus being that they should be about 4th and 6th level feats rather than 3rd and 5th)