Caster prestige class "spells per day" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster prestige class "spells per day" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CyberSlag5k
10-19-06, 01:26 PM All the books refer to "spells per day" for prestige classes. Does that mean classes like eldritch knight never learn new spells, nor gain access to a higher level of spells?

For example, my 20th level character has 4 ranks of sorcerer. He knows 6 level 0 spells, 3 level 1 spells, and 1 level 2 spell. If he were to take 10 ranks of eldritch knight, would he still only know the 1 level 2 spell, and not be able to cast anything level 3 or above?
Neutronium_Dragon
10-19-06, 01:29 PM You learn the spells as part of the casting progression; it's not a separate class function.

If you're increasing your sorcerer casting progression, that includes learning the new spells; if you're increasing your wizard progression, you still get the two spells each time, etc.
CyberSlag5k
10-19-06, 01:32 PM Ok, so with my level 4 sorc tha knows 6, 3, and 1 spell, if he were to take 3 ranks of eldritch knight, he'd then know 7, 4, 2, and 1 spell?
CyberSlag5k
10-19-06, 03:53 PM If I've correctly understood, I have to ask, then, is there any point to taking ranks in sorcerer beyond what 6? Eldritch Knight seems to level up as a sorcerer, and has the combat stats of a fighter. About the only thing I can figure is that any familiars would not level as they would with more ranks in sorcerer, but that hardly seems important...
LordPendragon
10-19-06, 04:05 PM And the Eldritch Knight loses 1 caster level, and you have to meet the prerequisites for it (which requires a level in Fighter, or some other full-proficiency class).

But you're pretty much right... if you're going into a full-casting PrC, there is absolutely no reason to remain a Sorcerer. Also, any Sorcerer with a familiar is getting screwed; they should have the Metamagic Specialist variant from PHBII.
CyberSlag5k
10-19-06, 04:07 PM AH, that's true, but as my main is fighter, I'm comfortable losing that level to gain another feat.

What do you mean by sorcerers with familiars being screwed? I didn't think there was really a drawback, or do you mean because the familiar doesn't become more powerful as the knight levels?
LordPendragon
10-19-06, 04:16 PM There's no drawback to having a familiar, it's just the the Metamagic Specialist variant is so much better. Also, familiars don't get any stronger when PrC levels are used to gain spellcasting.
Neutronium_Dragon
10-19-06, 04:37 PM ...unless the PrC also has the Summon Familiar ability, in which case the levels stack. But relatively few do. Still, it's a small loss, given that familiars are pretty much just an XP drain waiting to happen.
CyberSlag5k
10-19-06, 04:40 PM I do have a reason, I'm afraid, to level my sorcerer, now that I think about it, for if I don't I'm stuck not leveling rogue as well, which isn't an option. Oh well, it'll catch up to fighter eventually and then I can leave it by the wayside.

Thanks again, all. This helps a bunch.
LordPendragon
10-19-06, 04:45 PM ...if I don't I'm stuck not leveling rogue as well, which isn't an option...What are your levels right now?? (And race)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CyberSlag5k 10-19-06, 01:26 PM	All the books refer to "spells per day" for prestige classes. Does that mean classes like eldritch knight never learn new spells, nor gain access to a higher level of spells? For example, my 20th level character has 4 ranks of sorcerer. He knows 6 level 0 spells, 3 level 1 spells, and 1 level 2 spell. If he were to take 10 ranks of eldritch knight, would he still only know the 1 level 2 spell, and not be able to cast anything level 3 or above?
Neutronium_Dragon 10-19-06, 01:29 PM	You learn the spells as part of the casting progression; it's not a separate class function. If you're increasing your sorcerer casting progression, that includes learning the new spells; if you're increasing your wizard progression, you still get the two spells each time, etc.
CyberSlag5k 10-19-06, 01:32 PM	Ok, so with my level 4 sorc tha knows 6, 3, and 1 spell, if he were to take 3 ranks of eldritch knight, he'd then know 7, 4, 2, and 1 spell?
CyberSlag5k 10-19-06, 03:53 PM	If I've correctly understood, I have to ask, then, is there any point to taking ranks in sorcerer beyond what 6? Eldritch Knight seems to level up as a sorcerer, and has the combat stats of a fighter. About the only thing I can figure is that any familiars would not level as they would with more ranks in sorcerer, but that hardly seems important...
LordPendragon 10-19-06, 04:05 PM	And the Eldritch Knight loses 1 caster level, and you have to meet the prerequisites for it (which requires a level in Fighter, or some other full-proficiency class). But you're pretty much right... if you're going into a full-casting PrC, there is absolutely no reason to remain a Sorcerer. Also, any Sorcerer with a familiar is getting screwed; they should have the Metamagic Specialist variant from PHBII.
CyberSlag5k 10-19-06, 04:07 PM	AH, that's true, but as my main is fighter, I'm comfortable losing that level to gain another feat. What do you mean by sorcerers with familiars being screwed? I didn't think there was really a drawback, or do you mean because the familiar doesn't become more powerful as the knight levels?
LordPendragon 10-19-06, 04:16 PM	There's no drawback to having a familiar, it's just the the Metamagic Specialist variant is so much better. Also, familiars don't get any stronger when PrC levels are used to gain spellcasting.
Neutronium_Dragon 10-19-06, 04:37 PM	...unless the PrC also has the Summon Familiar ability, in which case the levels stack. But relatively few do. Still, it's a small loss, given that familiars are pretty much just an XP drain waiting to happen.
CyberSlag5k 10-19-06, 04:40 PM	I do have a reason, I'm afraid, to level my sorcerer, now that I think about it, for if I don't I'm stuck not leveling rogue as well, which isn't an option. Oh well, it'll catch up to fighter eventually and then I can leave it by the wayside. Thanks again, all. This helps a bunch.
LordPendragon 10-19-06, 04:45 PM	...if I don't I'm stuck not leveling rogue as well, which isn't an option...What are your levels right now?? (And race)