Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Bel Nov 25, 2014 17:12:52	Many damage-dealing cantrips get a bump at higher levels. I am thinking of spells like Ray of Frost, Eldritch Blast, and the like. For example:   Ray of Frost A frigid beam of blue-white light streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, it takes 1d8 cold damage, and its speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).   There isn't any clear text on this in the PH (that I can find), but this gets tricky with multiclassing. I have an intuition on this one, but I would like to get a second opinion:   QUESTION: Is the damage of the spell dependent on the caster level, or the aggregate level?   For example, with a Wizard 3/Fighter 2, should the damage roll of Ray remain 1d8 or increase to 2d8?
#2 Novacat Nov 25, 2014 18:01:36	Any spell which refers to your level is asking for your character level, not the level in any particular class.
#3 Illithidbix Nov 25, 2014 18:14:18	It's not clear in the PHB (to my knowledge) but Mearl's tweets seem to indicate caster's total character level.   Also to my knowledge only Cantrips refer to the caster's level, all other spells depend on the spell slot used to cast it. Simiarly very few spells actually use the caster's ability score beyond attack roll or Saving Throw DC   And a 5th level character using their action to do 2D8 (or even 2D12) damage really isn't a problem when compared to what most 5 level characters kick out.   A Wizard 3/Fighter 2 has enough problems as it is, the poor dear, let it roll two dice for cantrips!
#4 Bel Nov 25, 2014 19:50:16	My thinking was that the added damage was the Wizard equivalent of multiple attacks for a Fighter. Thus, the reverse situation: a Wizard 4th level/Fighter 1st level would get double melee attacks. To me that does not make sense.
#5 Bel Nov 25, 2014 20:44:41	Related: https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/2l69tp/ama_mike_mearls_codesigner_of_dd_5_head_of_dd_rd/clrveiu
#6 Bel Nov 25, 2014 21:12:34	And here is an answer from Jeremy Crawford on Twitter:   "Cantrip damage is based on character level, not class level."   Case closed. Thanks all!
#7 Illithidbix Nov 26, 2014 11:58:46	chadkoh wrote: