Ability to cast "X" spells

[Hawkeye]

When a PrC mentions the ability to cast spells of either Arcane or Divine in nature, do they mean the actualy ability to cast Arcane or Divine spells or the potential to do so? Paladins and Rangers have the potential to cast divine spells at 1st level, but don't get the ability to actually do so until later in their careers. Just looking for a bit of clarification.

Hawkeye

 

[dcollins]

Perhaps a more concrete example of the Prestige Class you have in mind and the ability to do exactly what would be helpful.

 

[0-hr]

I'm guessing that he means as a prerequisite, and I'd think that you need to actually be able to cast said spells (that is, be a high enough level ranger) in order to qualify. Not 100% sure though.

 

[Speaks With Stone]

Must be able to in every instance I can remember off hand.

Besides potential is rather a silly prereq since anyone has the potential to pick up a level of whatever that will have the potential (if you advance enough levels). I find that to be a less than compelling prereq.

 

[dcollins]

Ah, I see.

Yes, it must be that the spellcasting prerequisites imply actual ability to cast the spells in question. The ones in the DMG mention specific spell levels, which would be meaningless if it was only intended to mean characters with some hypothetical "class list" of spells.

 

[Li Shenron]

When a PrC mentions the ability to cast spells of either Arcane or Divine in nature, do they mean the actualy ability to cast Arcane or Divine spells or the potential to do so? Paladins and Rangers have the potential to cast divine spells at 1st level, but don't get the ability to actually do so until later in their careers. Just looking for a bit of clarification.

Hawkeye

It means you are currently able to cast at least 1 spell/day through "normal" daily spellcasting.

It does not count if you may use spell completion or spell trigger items.

Now, a more tricky question could be... what if you are Paladin/Ranger 4th but you don't have bonus spells? You have already a caster level (you didn't before 4th), but you cast 0 spells/day, but then if you wear a magic item that increases your Wisdom enough to get a bonus spell, now you cast spells.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

For PrC's, you need to be able to cast at least one spell of the appropriate level by yourself, however you do it. That means if you're a ranger 4 and have wis 12, you qualify, even if your actual wis is only 8 and you have a +4 periapt. Using scrolls doesn't count.

For the use of magic items, it usually is enough to have the spell on your class list, IIRC. That means that even a ranger 1 could use a scroll of cure moderate wounds, and a sorcerer who never took fireball as one of his known spells can still use a staff of fireball

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

For the use of magic items, it usually is enough to have the spell on your class list, IIRC. That means that even a ranger 1 could use a scroll of cure moderate wounds, and

The 1st-level ranger might be able to use a wand, but not a scroll, since he doesnt have caster levels (prerequisites for casting a spell from a scroll, no?)

Edit: having caster levels is not a prerequisite, but is not having caster levels the same as having 0 caster levels?

Maitre D

 

[Zhure]

Until 4th level, Rangers and Paladins are caster level 0. So for spell trigger (like wands) they point and click. For spell completion, they have to make a caster check. Page 201, DMG.

Greg

 

[Shalewind]

For PrC's, you need to be able to cast at least one spell of the appropriate level by yourself, however you do it.

Agreed. Else it I think it would have given a WIS requirement or stated the requirement differently.