Post/Author/DateTime	Post
msteinhoff 03-22-07, 05:53 PM	Can someone point me to where spell duration is based upon class or caster level? We have a debate ocurring in our current group with regards to spell duration. One school of thought is purely caster level..meaning that a 4th level Paladin is only a first level caster for ajudicating spell duration. thanks
Vharuck 03-22-07, 05:55 PM	Always always caster level. The two reasons why the term "caster" is used is because of classes like the ranger and paladin, who only gain spellcasting later on, and some prestige classes which might not receive a bonus spellcasting level every class level.
Merestil Haye 03-22-07, 05:58 PM	Can someone point me to where spell duration is based upon class or caster level? We have a debate ocurring in our current group with regards to spell duration. One school of though is purely caster level..meaning that a 4th level Paladin is only a first level caster for ajudicating spell duration.Things like range, duration and so on are always the caster level of the character. As a side note, a 4th level paladin is not CL1 but CL2. A Paladin's caster level (for Paladin spells) is one half his Paladin class level.
Nom 03-22-07, 10:11 PM	Read the section on "Caster Level" in PH chapter 10. Particularly the very first sentence. Further, the introduction to either chapter 10 or chapter 11 (not in SRD and I don't have my books to hand) explicitly mentions that 'level' in this context always means caster level.
cthulhudarren 03-23-07, 09:08 AM	Read the section on "Caster Level" in PH chapter 10. Particularly the very first sentence. Further, the introduction to either chapter 10 or chapter 11 (not in SRD and I don't have my books to hand) explicitly mentions that 'level' in this context always means caster level. I just read that and IMO it's not conclusive. I'd like to find some conclusive verbiage in the rules somewhere.
Merestil Haye 03-23-07, 10:37 AM	This is (I think) what Nom is referring to?Caster Level A spell’s power often depends on its caster level, which for most spellcasting characters is equal to your class level in the class you’re using to cast the spell. 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. In the event that a class feature, domain granted power, or other special ability provides an adjustment to your caster level, that adjustment applies not only to effects based on caster level (such as range, duration, and damage dealt) but also to your caster level check to overcome your target’s spell resistance and to the caster level used in dispel checks (both the dispel check and the DC of the check).(Bolding mine.) That really is not ambiguous. Spell parameters such as Range and Duration that are expressed in terms of "x / level" are always based on caster level. Caster level starts with the base class level, and can be modified by many things, including (but not limited to) special abilities of the base spellcasting class, special abilities of prestige classes, feats and magic items. Paladins have this statement in their class description.Through 3rd level, a paladin has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, her caster level is one-half her paladin level.(I bring this up because it was claimed earlier that a Pal 4 had a caster level of 1. She does not; it is 2.) Rangers have a similar line. Prestige classes can grant spellcasting increases by giving "+1 level of existing spellcasting class" as for example the Archmage does. This increases the effective class level for spellcasting, giving more spells castable per day, an increase in spells known and +1 caster level. Alternatively (or in addition), some give +1 caster level instead. Feats and items generally give only an increase in caster level and not an increased level in a spellcasting class. This increases only the CL, not spells known or spells castable per day.
Vegepygmy 03-23-07, 04:38 PM	I just read that and IMO it's not conclusive. I'd like to find some conclusive verbiage in the rules somewhere.PHB, page 181: Caster Level: A spell’s power often depends on caster level, which is defined as the caster’s class level for the purpose of casting a particular spell. A creature with no classes has a caster level equal to its Hit Dice unless otherwise specified. The word “level” in the spell lists that follow always refers to caster level.
Gadren 03-23-07, 08:16 PM	PHB, page 181: Caster Level: A spell’s power often depends on caster level, which is defined as the caster’s class level for the purpose of casting a particular spell. A creature with no classes has a caster level equal to its Hit Dice unless otherwise specified. The word “level” in the spell lists that follow always refers to caster level. I don't think "verbiage" gets much more conclusive than that. :D
Nom 03-25-07, 07:44 AM	PHB, page 181: ...Yep, top of the second column of the first page of chapter 11. That's what I was thinking of.