Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harmor 07-19-04, 07:21 PM	Divine Empowerment Evocation Level: Clr 3, Pal 3 Components: V, S, DF Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: 1 minute Calling upon the strength and wisdom of a deity, you gain a +1 caster level for every five caster levels (at least +1, maximum +4 at level 20). The bonus caster levels do not increase the number of spells per day learned or castable.
Sancus 07-19-04, 07:48 PM	The problem with this is that there are already way too many ways for a cleric to boost their caster level in 3.5 - Hierophant, orange ioun stone, prayer bead of karma.... And with blatantly abuseable crap like Holy Word in, a cleric with a boosted caster level makes a broken game. Nevermind ending up with undispellable buffs.
Harmor 07-19-04, 09:55 PM	As a GM I wouldn't allow them to stack. Should I say so specifically in the spell? And what's wrong with Holy Word (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/theraven_stephenh/spells/Holy_Word.html)? This would also adjust what level undead you can turn/rebuke...so what's the problem with that? +1 caster level upto 9th +2 caster level upto 14th +3 caster level upto 19th +4 caster level at 20th
Asmodeous 07-19-04, 11:45 PM	Such a buff spell would make spells such as holy word far more powerful than what it is already as the spells effect is based upon castor level.
Harmor 07-19-04, 11:58 PM	Holy Word (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/theraven_stephenh/spells/Holy_Word.html) is a 7th Cleric spell. Therefore you need to be 13th level to cast it. At level 13 you could get a +2 caster level increase so this spell would effectively be level 15 for purposes of its effects. A party of 13th level character will typically fight EL 15+ so yes this spell would be more effective because more creature would be Blinded and deafened instead of just deafened. Its a buff. The cleric has to cast the spell within the last 10 rounds or else they wouldn't get this effect. Since it requires the cleric to cast the spell, that gives the enemy a chance to attack him or kill him. I don't see a problem. Its a buff, I would hope it would make you better.
smrtgmp 07-20-04, 05:13 AM	seems awfully powerful for a 3rd level spell, IMO. And yes, if it doesnt stack with other CL boosts, it should say so in the spell description.
Sancus 07-20-04, 09:14 AM	Yes, if you don't want it to stack with other unnamed buffs, it should say so in the spell description, because by default, buffs of unnamed type stack with eachother.
Kyuketsukiouji 07-20-04, 10:21 AM	My biggest gripe against this spell is that, once again, arcane casters get the shaft. So hey, let's be fair: Touching the Stars Evocation Level: Wiz/Sor 3 Components: V, S, F Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: 1 round/level(D) By use of this spell, an arcane caster forges a temporary connection between himself and the plane his is on, allowing him to tap local planar energy to raise the caster level of his spells. The caster can raise his caster level by +1 for every 5 levels (up to a maximum of +4). Doing this puts undue stress on the caster, however, inflicting 3 points of damage to the caster for each +1 added to the caster level of any spell he applies this power to. (This is pretty much a toned down rip-off of the Cosmic Descryer's Cosmic Connection ability)
tarkin 07-20-04, 10:56 AM	Both of those spells are abusive, game killing spells. Things you can do with them. 1) Raise Caster level to high levels and cast a spell with a long duration. 2) Raise the caster level and make a magic item. 3) Raise the caster level, then cast a metamagicked spell that is GUARANTEED to kill someone of your level. ------------------------------------------------- At best, a 3rd level spell MIGHT be able to grant a +1 caster level, PERIOD. no more. To get as high as a +4 increase in caster level you are talking about a 7th level spell.
Kyuketsukiouji 07-20-04, 12:02 PM	Tarkin: I tend to agree with you on that, actually. I just posted mine because I saw all kinds of potental for abuse in having just clerics be able to raise their caster levels. However, you are wrong in one aspect. You can't use Touching the Stars to raise your caster level for magical item creation, because it applies to a cast spell. Besides, creating an item is an 8-hour a day process. Not something you can do with a 1-round/level spell going on.
Ertai Planeswalker 07-20-04, 06:59 PM	Why not do if with a feat that all casters can take: Boost Spell [General] Prerequisites Ability to cast 1st level arcane or divine spells. Benefits: When casting a spell, you may expend another prepared spell or spell per day to give the spell you cast a +x bonus to casterlevel, where x is the sacrificed spell's level.
smrtgmp 07-20-04, 07:07 PM	I think a better feat would be something like this: Spell Power You are adept at casting spells from a certain school Benefit: When you take this feat, choose a school of magic. When casting spells from said school, your caster level is concidered to be one level higher than it actually is. Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you select this feat choose a new school of magic to which its benefits apply. You could then have the greater version, which provided an additional +1 to your caster level. This would also be nice for those schools of magic (such as abjuration) for which spell focus is pretty much worthless.