Quicky Spellcasting Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Quicky Spellcasting Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Edymnion
04-19-07, 09:46 PM Just double checking something here, that will likely forever remain theoretical, but I still want to know it just in case.

I have a Sorcerer who is going into Stormcaster ASAP, which means he should finish it at level 16, and then have 17,18,19, and 20 that needs filling. I'm currently planning on taking Elemental Savant for those levels, as the spellcasting level loss doesn't occur until lvl 5 and 10 in that PrC.

So, just touching base should I actually manage to take this character epic (and considering he's starting at level 2, this is a long ways off), the +1 spellcaster level is essentially worthless after going Epic because of the way epic spell slots work, correct?
Aluroon
04-19-07, 10:05 PM Just double checking something here, that will likely forever remain theoretical, but I still want to know it just in case.

I have a Sorcerer who is going into Stormcaster ASAP, which means he should finish it at level 16, and then have 17,18,19, and 20 that needs filling. I'm currently planning on taking Elemental Savant for those levels, as the spellcasting level loss doesn't occur until lvl 5 and 10 in that PrC.

So, just touching base should I actually manage to take this character epic (and considering he's starting at level 2, this is a long ways off), the +1 spellcaster level is essentially worthless after going Epic because of the way epic spell slots work, correct?

Wrong, you still need it to beat spell resistance and it still figures into the relative power of your spells. Spell resistance is extremely common at epic levels.
bluemage55
04-19-07, 11:10 PM Caster level also remain critical for being able to dispel enemy spells and for your own spells to resist dispelling.
Loren Pechtel
04-20-07, 01:23 AM Lose too many caster levels and you can forget about using your spells on the enemy.

Note that the Practiced Spellcaster feat can make up 4 lost levels.
Senevri
04-20-07, 10:23 AM Anything that advances CL while losing spellcasting progression is a good pick on epics. Cosmic Descryer can make up for lost CL if needed, but you don't want to rely too heavily on it. Dragon Disciple isn't too bad, since it can add spell slots to any level you can cast. This is particularily fun if you have improved spell capacity taken a few times.
bluemage55
04-20-07, 02:14 PM Anything that advances CL while losing spellcasting progression is a good pick on epics. Cosmic Descryer can make up for lost CL if needed, but you don't want to rely too heavily on it. Dragon Disciple isn't too bad, since it can add spell slots to any level you can cast. This is particularily fun if you have improved spell capacity taken a few times.

It's not worth it to take DD levels. The loss of caster level and bonus feat progression offsets the free slots you will get.
Senevri
04-20-07, 04:09 PM Quite possibly, yes. You can use CD to pick it up again, but admittedly, being 10 levels behind is bad, even if you can make it up via spells... that's still 10 levels less than you'd be, otherwise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Edymnion 04-19-07, 09:46 PM	Just double checking something here, that will likely forever remain theoretical, but I still want to know it just in case. I have a Sorcerer who is going into Stormcaster ASAP, which means he should finish it at level 16, and then have 17,18,19, and 20 that needs filling. I'm currently planning on taking Elemental Savant for those levels, as the spellcasting level loss doesn't occur until lvl 5 and 10 in that PrC. So, just touching base should I actually manage to take this character epic (and considering he's starting at level 2, this is a long ways off), the +1 spellcaster level is essentially worthless after going Epic because of the way epic spell slots work, correct?
Aluroon 04-19-07, 10:05 PM	Just double checking something here, that will likely forever remain theoretical, but I still want to know it just in case. I have a Sorcerer who is going into Stormcaster ASAP, which means he should finish it at level 16, and then have 17,18,19, and 20 that needs filling. I'm currently planning on taking Elemental Savant for those levels, as the spellcasting level loss doesn't occur until lvl 5 and 10 in that PrC. So, just touching base should I actually manage to take this character epic (and considering he's starting at level 2, this is a long ways off), the +1 spellcaster level is essentially worthless after going Epic because of the way epic spell slots work, correct? Wrong, you still need it to beat spell resistance and it still figures into the relative power of your spells. Spell resistance is extremely common at epic levels.
bluemage55 04-19-07, 11:10 PM	Caster level also remain critical for being able to dispel enemy spells and for your own spells to resist dispelling.
Loren Pechtel 04-20-07, 01:23 AM	Lose too many caster levels and you can forget about using your spells on the enemy. Note that the Practiced Spellcaster feat can make up 4 lost levels.
Senevri 04-20-07, 10:23 AM	Anything that advances CL while losing spellcasting progression is a good pick on epics. Cosmic Descryer can make up for lost CL if needed, but you don't want to rely too heavily on it. Dragon Disciple isn't too bad, since it can add spell slots to any level you can cast. This is particularily fun if you have improved spell capacity taken a few times.
bluemage55 04-20-07, 02:14 PM	Anything that advances CL while losing spellcasting progression is a good pick on epics. Cosmic Descryer can make up for lost CL if needed, but you don't want to rely too heavily on it. Dragon Disciple isn't too bad, since it can add spell slots to any level you can cast. This is particularily fun if you have improved spell capacity taken a few times. It's not worth it to take DD levels. The loss of caster level and bonus feat progression offsets the free slots you will get.
Senevri 04-20-07, 04:09 PM	Quite possibly, yes. You can use CD to pick it up again, but admittedly, being 10 levels behind is bad, even if you can make it up via spells... that's still 10 levels less than you'd be, otherwise.