Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GalaGalaxia 04-18-08, 01:35 AM	First of all, let's define sources for this problem: Complete Divine Races of the Dragon, Web Enhancement Part 1 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060127a) Races of the Dragon, Web Enhancement Part 2 (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a) Then, let's imagine a 9th level Kobold with the following classes: Kobold Paragon 1 Sorcerer 1 KPa2 Sor2 KPa3 Sor3 Sor4 Sor5 Sor6 This gives an effective caster level of 8 (6 from the Sorcerer levels, and 2 from the Kobold Paragon levels). At 9th level, our Kobold takes the "Practiced Spellcaster" feat from Complete Divine, which gives us a character that has an effective caster level of 9 (same as HD, as per the feat description), but spells known/spells per day as an 8th level Sorcerer. Now, imagine that our Kobold performs the "Greater Draconic Rite of Passage" as per RotD-WE2 (for which he meets the prerequisites). The description for this ritual states: "Upon completing this rite, a kobold gains new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known) as if also gaining one level in the sorcerer class." In other words, our Kobold now benefits from spells known/spells per day as a 9th level Sorcerer. With regards to the "Practiced Spellcaster" feat, which of the following conclusions is accurate? 1) The Kobold has CL 10, since "Practiced Spellcaster" grants a bonus to CL for all noncaster-level HD (as per feat description), up to HD. The Draconic Rite grants a bonus to CL and spells known/spells per day separate from (and inapplicable to) "Practiced Spellcaster". In other words: CL 10, spells known/spells per day as 9th level Sorcerer. (Consider, for example, a pure Sor9 Kobold performing the rite ... He would have CL 10 and no need for taking "Practiced Spellcaster" as he has no noncaster-level HD.) 2) The Kobold has CL 9. The "Practiced Spellcaster" feat does not care where other CL bonuses come from. As far as the feat is concerned, it has no effect on your CL if you already have a bonus to your CL from other sources (such as a prestige class or ioun stone granting bonus caster levels). I am inclined to understand the feat as applicable to conclusion #1, as the feat only cares about whether you have CL = HD from HD + Class levels, and completely ignores whether you get such bonuses from other sources.
Obsidianjaerc 04-18-08, 04:00 AM	It seems also to me that #1 is a good RAI ruling.
Merestil Haye 04-18-08, 09:22 AM	There are plenty of examples in the FAQ that show you apply Practiced Spellcaster first in such cases. The general principle is that if nothing tells you the order to apply the benefits, apply them in the order most advantageous to the creature.
Cartigan 04-18-08, 10:20 AM	Caster level == hit dice. Practiced Spellcaster fails.
tharivol266 04-18-08, 10:44 AM	Caster level == hit dice. Practiced Spellcaster fails. either you're write and wrong, you're wrong and wrong, or i have no idea what you intended when you wrote that. as it is writen you are saying that CL is the same as HD which is wrong. CL is the number of levels in the class that casts the spell in question which thus makes practiced spellcaster helpful. as i believe it is intended CL =/= HD then yes you are right there but thats where practiced spellcaster comes in FTW. My third interpretation is way out there by my standards which is CL </= HD or "casterlevel is lessthan or equal to hd, and therefore practiced spellcaster ceases to have reason" in which case you are merely re-stateing the object of this debate in a more confusing manner or re-enforcing the second arguement the OP made.