Rod of Authority and SAcred (DoF)

[Super_Troll]

Question: Am I correct in assuming that the Rod of Authority increases your caster level but does not do things like increase your spells per day or spell levels per day. Also, when used to turn undead would it stack with a Sacred shield's ability to allow you to turn as if you were two levels higher?
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Rod of Authority: These multiuse items are protected zealously and only given to those with permanent positions of authority within the church or those with vital missions for the church. The bearer channels energy at four levels higher than normal, which is useful for turning and rebuking undead as well as for opening doors secured with divine locks. the bearer may also cast Command up to three times per day as a 9th level Cleric.
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Sacred: A suit of armor or a shield with this enchantment has no effect unless the wearer has the ability to turn or rebuke undead. In that case, the wearer turns or rebukes undead two levels higher than she would without the enchantment. Armor or shield with this enchantment is always specific to a deity and features the deity's holy symbol prominently.

 

[shilsen]

Nope. The Rod of Authority "channels energy at four levels higher than normal", which has nothing to do with spellcasting. It is used for turning/rebuking undead.

Since the level raise isn't named, I would say that it should stack with that from a Sacred shield (also unnamed).

 

[Super_Troll]

Sorry, but to clarify...Are you saying then that it would have no effect on Caster Level, say to bypass Spell Resistance or when using Dispel Magic? If so, then what is the reference to "opening doors secured with divine locks?"

"The bearer channels energy at four levels higher than normal, which is useful for turning and rebuking undead as well as for opening doors secured with divine locks."

 

[shilsen]

Sorry, but to clarify...Are you saying then that it would have no effect on Caster Level, say to bypass Spell Resistance or when using Dispel Magic? If so, then what is the reference to "opening doors secured with divine locks?"

"The bearer channels energy at four levels higher than normal, which is useful for turning and rebuking undead as well as for opening doors secured with divine locks."

It has no effect on caster level with respect to spellcasting, so Spell Resistance and Dispel Magic would be unaffected.

The quotation you are using refers to doors which can only be opened by channeling positive/negative energy as a cleric (or paladin) does when turning/rebuking undead. See pg.140 of the PHB, under "Other Uses for Energy" for a reference to such a situation.

In short, the Rod only raises the caster level for channeling purposes. So an 8th lvl cleric using the Rod channels energy as if he were 12th lvl. It has no effect on his spellcasting ability.