Caster Level for multiclass characters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster Level for multiclass characters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Geethree
02-11-04, 09:56 PM When a spell's effect is deteremined by caster level, how is this figured out when dealing with multiclass characters?

For example, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4, would this be caster level 4 or caster level 6? The player's handbook does not give a clear answer on this as far as I can see.

Also, what about prestige classes that provide spell progression, but at a slower rate? For example, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 3 (for those unfamiliar with the PrC, it provides spell progression at alternating levels).
Heron_Marked_Blade
02-11-04, 10:04 PM Spellcasting level is based off of levels in a spellcasting class. That means only spellcasting classes, or the levels in a PrC where you get a "+1 spellcasting".

In your example, the Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4 would have a caster level of 4. Regarding PrCs, take for example a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 6/Bladesinger 4. The Bladesinger PrC grants spellcasting progression every odd level, so the character would have a caster level of 8 (6 from Sorcerer, 2 from Bladesinger [1, 3]).

Or your example of a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 3: the character would have a caster level of 6 (4 from Sorcerer, 2 from Spellsword [1,3]).
Jerks
02-11-04, 10:09 PM Only classes with spell casting progression increase your caster level, and then only in the class for which it is indicated.

In you above examples, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4 would have a caster level of 4. The fighter levels don't count at all.

The Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 4 would have a caster level of 6 (4 for the sorcerer, then 2 levels for Spellsword).

For characters with different spellcasting classes the caster levels do no stack.

A wizard 4/cleric 4 would have a wizard caster level 4 and a cleric caster level 4. These do not combine.
Geethree
02-12-04, 10:03 AM Thanks for the help. Out of curiosity, where did you find the rules for this? I could not find it in the 3.5e PH and I was surprised that they left it out.
obungen
02-15-04, 03:54 PM Are the separators in "Caster Level" due to the difference betewen Arcane and Divine, or by each class?

For instance, a Ranger has caster level of (1/2 Ranger level) after getting spells at level 4. Say a multi-class character is Cleric 5/Ranger 4. What is caster level?

If both classes can cast the same spell (Delay Poison is 2nd level cleric spell, 1st level ranger spell) do the Caster Levels stack for purpose of duration, or is it such that "When you cast the Delay Poison from a Ranger spell slot, it's CL 2, or from Cleric spell slot is CL 4".

Also, for purposes of crafting magical items, would the caster levels stack for this character?

Thanks

JWalker
ksbsnowowl
02-15-04, 04:37 PM Caster level is individual to each spell casting class. Thus, in your example obungen, the cleric 5/ranger 4 casts all his cleric spells at 5th caster level, and all ranger spells at 2nd caster level. This is even the case if they both have the same spells on their spell lists. For Delay Poison you could either cast it as a cleric (at 5th caster level) or as a Ranger (at 2nd caster level). This is also dependent upon you actually preparing the spell in each respective class's slot.
Unda Harvum
02-15-04, 07:29 PM For rules regarding this: see Spells on PHB p 59, and Caster Level on PHB p 171.
The Simbul
02-16-04, 12:17 AM Unearthed Arcana supposedly has a variant rule that uses a system where characters have a "Magic Rating" which stacks from all of your different classes to determine your effective caster level.
tate
02-16-04, 12:46 AM So a Cleric 2 / Wizard 3 would not be able to take the Craft Arms and Armor feat, or Craft Wand? Or would they be able to get the feats but then just be limited to what items/ wands they could create.
Unda Harvum
02-16-04, 03:37 AM No, he would not have the prerequisites to gain any of those feats.
Drachasor
02-16-04, 12:33 PM Originally posted by The Simbul
Unearthed Arcana supposedly has a variant rule that uses a system where characters have a "Magic Rating" which stacks from all of your different classes to determine your effective caster level.

Which is a great rule in my opinion, since a character that mutliclasses 3 or 4 spellcasting classes is pretty screwed at level 5/5/5/5 in traditionally D&D. In Cook's system though, he casts all those spells as a 20th level caster, even though he can't cast spells above 3rd level. It balances nicely, since now he has a chance of overcoming SR, for example.

-Drachasor

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Geethree 02-11-04, 09:56 PM	When a spell's effect is deteremined by caster level, how is this figured out when dealing with multiclass characters? For example, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4, would this be caster level 4 or caster level 6? The player's handbook does not give a clear answer on this as far as I can see. Also, what about prestige classes that provide spell progression, but at a slower rate? For example, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 3 (for those unfamiliar with the PrC, it provides spell progression at alternating levels).
Heron_Marked_Blade 02-11-04, 10:04 PM	Spellcasting level is based off of levels in a spellcasting class. That means only spellcasting classes, or the levels in a PrC where you get a "+1 spellcasting". In your example, the Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4 would have a caster level of 4. Regarding PrCs, take for example a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 6/Bladesinger 4. The Bladesinger PrC grants spellcasting progression every odd level, so the character would have a caster level of 8 (6 from Sorcerer, 2 from Bladesinger [1, 3]). Or your example of a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 3: the character would have a caster level of 6 (4 from Sorcerer, 2 from Spellsword [1,3]).
Jerks 02-11-04, 10:09 PM	Only classes with spell casting progression increase your caster level, and then only in the class for which it is indicated. In you above examples, a Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4 would have a caster level of 4. The fighter levels don't count at all. The Fighter 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 4 would have a caster level of 6 (4 for the sorcerer, then 2 levels for Spellsword). For characters with different spellcasting classes the caster levels do no stack. A wizard 4/cleric 4 would have a wizard caster level 4 and a cleric caster level 4. These do not combine.
Geethree 02-12-04, 10:03 AM	Thanks for the help. Out of curiosity, where did you find the rules for this? I could not find it in the 3.5e PH and I was surprised that they left it out.
obungen 02-15-04, 03:54 PM	Are the separators in "Caster Level" due to the difference betewen Arcane and Divine, or by each class? For instance, a Ranger has caster level of (1/2 Ranger level) after getting spells at level 4. Say a multi-class character is Cleric 5/Ranger 4. What is caster level? If both classes can cast the same spell (Delay Poison is 2nd level cleric spell, 1st level ranger spell) do the Caster Levels stack for purpose of duration, or is it such that "When you cast the Delay Poison from a Ranger spell slot, it's CL 2, or from Cleric spell slot is CL 4". Also, for purposes of crafting magical items, would the caster levels stack for this character? Thanks JWalker
ksbsnowowl 02-15-04, 04:37 PM	Caster level is individual to each spell casting class. Thus, in your example obungen, the cleric 5/ranger 4 casts all his cleric spells at 5th caster level, and all ranger spells at 2nd caster level. This is even the case if they both have the same spells on their spell lists. For Delay Poison you could either cast it as a cleric (at 5th caster level) or as a Ranger (at 2nd caster level). This is also dependent upon you actually preparing the spell in each respective class's slot.
Unda Harvum 02-15-04, 07:29 PM	For rules regarding this: see Spells on PHB p 59, and Caster Level on PHB p 171.
The Simbul 02-16-04, 12:17 AM	Unearthed Arcana supposedly has a variant rule that uses a system where characters have a "Magic Rating" which stacks from all of your different classes to determine your effective caster level.
tate 02-16-04, 12:46 AM	So a Cleric 2 / Wizard 3 would not be able to take the Craft Arms and Armor feat, or Craft Wand? Or would they be able to get the feats but then just be limited to what items/ wands they could create.
Unda Harvum 02-16-04, 03:37 AM	No, he would not have the prerequisites to gain any of those feats.
Drachasor 02-16-04, 12:33 PM	Originally posted by The Simbul Unearthed Arcana supposedly has a variant rule that uses a system where characters have a "Magic Rating" which stacks from all of your different classes to determine your effective caster level. Which is a great rule in my opinion, since a character that mutliclasses 3 or 4 spellcasting classes is pretty screwed at level 5/5/5/5 in traditionally D&D. In Cook's system though, he casts all those spells as a 20th level caster, even though he can't cast spells above 3rd level. It balances nicely, since now he has a chance of overcoming SR, for example. -Drachasor