Can you willingly limit your caster level ? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can you willingly limit your caster level ? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Welcome
09-28-04, 11:01 AM Say you're a level 18 cleric casting Greater Magic Weapon. Can you choose to give it only a +2 bonus ? If so, does the duration have to be affected or can it last the whole 18 hours ?
kSquared
09-28-04, 11:03 AM Yes, you can cast it at a lower level, but all level-dependent aspects have to be based on the same caster level, and you still need to be able to cast the spell at that level. From the SRD:

You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.
Welcome
09-28-04, 11:32 AM Ah, thanks for that ! :)
Seeker95
09-28-04, 11:57 AM In addition to casting at a lower caster level, I allow a caster to vary other aspects of the spell without lowering caster level. The greater magic weapon example is one in which I would allow the caster to decrease the bonus granted without decreasing the duration. Just as a caster can control how far (range) s/he casts a spell, I allow casters to control how much oomph they give.
kSquared
09-28-04, 12:17 PM Interesting concept, Seeker. In your campaign, if I were, say, a 10th-level wizard, would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)?
Seeker95
09-28-04, 03:05 PM would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)?No. CL2 is insufficient to cast fireball. I do not allow a caster to cast a spell at a level lower than the minimum caster level required to cast the spell. But I would allow you to hurl a 5d6 fireball (Caster Level 5).
Loren Pechtel
09-29-04, 12:55 AM Interesting concept, Seeker. In your campaign, if I were, say, a 10th-level wizard, would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)?

Personally I allow this *IF* you study it for one week/spell level. Note that many spells can't be reduced below their base level and retain any function at all.

I also allow you to adjust the dice by one point towards a desired objective stated when casting for every real level (thus dropping a fireball from level 20 to 10 gains nothing as you aren't giving up anything) you drop the spell. (This isn't a problem for items--levels offset to get this adjustment are still levels for item creation purposes. Want to make a wand of CLW that does a guaranteed 9 points? Sure--but it's caster level 8.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Welcome 09-28-04, 11:01 AM	Say you're a level 18 cleric casting Greater Magic Weapon. Can you choose to give it only a +2 bonus ? If so, does the duration have to be affected or can it last the whole 18 hours ?
kSquared 09-28-04, 11:03 AM	Yes, you can cast it at a lower level, but all level-dependent aspects have to be based on the same caster level, and you still need to be able to cast the spell at that level. From the SRD: You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.
Welcome 09-28-04, 11:32 AM	Ah, thanks for that ! :)
Seeker95 09-28-04, 11:57 AM	In addition to casting at a lower caster level, I allow a caster to vary other aspects of the spell without lowering caster level. The greater magic weapon example is one in which I would allow the caster to decrease the bonus granted without decreasing the duration. Just as a caster can control how far (range) s/he casts a spell, I allow casters to control how much oomph they give.
kSquared 09-28-04, 12:17 PM	Interesting concept, Seeker. In your campaign, if I were, say, a 10th-level wizard, would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)?
Seeker95 09-28-04, 03:05 PM	would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)?No. CL2 is insufficient to cast fireball. I do not allow a caster to cast a spell at a level lower than the minimum caster level required to cast the spell. But I would allow you to hurl a 5d6 fireball (Caster Level 5).
Loren Pechtel 09-29-04, 12:55 AM	Interesting concept, Seeker. In your campaign, if I were, say, a 10th-level wizard, would you let me hurl a 2d6 fireball (caster level 2)? Personally I allow this IF you study it for one week/spell level. Note that many spells can't be reduced below their base level and retain any function at all. I also allow you to adjust the dice by one point towards a desired objective stated when casting for every real level (thus dropping a fireball from level 20 to 10 gains nothing as you aren't giving up anything) you drop the spell. (This isn't a problem for items--levels offset to get this adjustment are still levels for item creation purposes. Want to make a wand of CLW that does a guaranteed 9 points? Sure--but it's caster level 8.)