Caster level required to create magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster level required to create magic items [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Doug McCrae
11-14-04, 02:03 PM Do you have to be the listed caster level or higher to create any magic item that isn't a wand, scroll or potion? For example 17th level to create any Pearl of Power.

The DMG 3.5 seems to indicate that you do. Page 215 - "In this case, the creator's caster level must be as high as the item's caster level (and prerequisites may effectively put a higher minimum on the creator's level)."

However I have seen several posters on these boards suggest that this is not the case.
lancean
11-14-04, 05:50 PM I think it's a case of the rule designers intending to clean up magic item creation contradictions from 3.0, but they never actually got around to it. So there's still some quirks in 3.5 item creation.

But it boils down to this... you must have a caster level equal or greater than the highest caster level of the required spell in the item. So a Bless bead from a necklace of prayer beads doesn't really require a 17th level caster, no.

For pearls of power, the spell that most resembles them is Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer (and similar higher level spells). So at 7th level, a wizard could start cranking out Pearls of Power for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells.
Seeker95
11-14-04, 07:20 PM What lancean said. It is ultimately a DM call, since the ambiguity would require a houserule.
For the pearls, if you make a lesser one, it would have a lower CL and lower saves, et al.
cwslyclgh
11-14-04, 08:10 PM the downloadable errata would indicate that caster level is not a prerequisite.
Doug McCrae
11-14-04, 09:15 PM You're right, the errata does clear it up. Thanks for that.
Seeker95
11-15-04, 09:52 AM the downloadable errata would indicate that caster level is not a prerequisite.Be careful in how you interpret this.
A given listed caster level is not a prerequisite for crafting an item except, but the creator must be of sufficient caster level to cast* the highest level spell used in the item.

*Unless the creator is using a scroll, wand, etc.)

In my game, the item creator must be of high enough level to cast the *level* of spell, even when using other casters to provide the spells. A 1st level scribe cannot create a scroll of a third level spell, nor can a 1st level brewer create a potion of a second level spell. However, a 1st level arcane brewer can create a potion of cure light wounds, as long as a cleric is providing the spell.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Doug McCrae 11-14-04, 02:03 PM	Do you have to be the listed caster level or higher to create any magic item that isn't a wand, scroll or potion? For example 17th level to create any Pearl of Power. The DMG 3.5 seems to indicate that you do. Page 215 - "In this case, the creator's caster level must be as high as the item's caster level (and prerequisites may effectively put a higher minimum on the creator's level)." However I have seen several posters on these boards suggest that this is not the case.
lancean 11-14-04, 05:50 PM	I think it's a case of the rule designers intending to clean up magic item creation contradictions from 3.0, but they never actually got around to it. So there's still some quirks in 3.5 item creation. But it boils down to this... you must have a caster level equal or greater than the highest caster level of the required spell in the item. So a Bless bead from a necklace of prayer beads doesn't really require a 17th level caster, no. For pearls of power, the spell that most resembles them is Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer (and similar higher level spells). So at 7th level, a wizard could start cranking out Pearls of Power for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells.
Seeker95 11-14-04, 07:20 PM	What lancean said. It is ultimately a DM call, since the ambiguity would require a houserule. For the pearls, if you make a lesser one, it would have a lower CL and lower saves, et al.
cwslyclgh 11-14-04, 08:10 PM	the downloadable errata would indicate that caster level is not a prerequisite.
Doug McCrae 11-14-04, 09:15 PM	You're right, the errata does clear it up. Thanks for that.
Seeker95 11-15-04, 09:52 AM	the downloadable errata would indicate that caster level is not a prerequisite.Be careful in how you interpret this. A given listed caster level is not a prerequisite for crafting an item except, but the creator must be of sufficient caster level to cast* the highest level spell used in the item. Unless the creator is using a scroll, wand, etc.) In my game, the item creator must be of high enough level to cast the level* of spell, even when using other casters to provide the spells. A 1st level scribe cannot create a scroll of a third level spell, nor can a 1st level brewer create a potion of a second level spell. However, a 1st level arcane brewer can create a potion of cure light wounds, as long as a cleric is providing the spell.