Beguiler/Rainbow servant

[Dandu]

Rainbow Servant causes you to lose 4 caster levels if you go by the table... but none if you go by the description. As the general rules is Text Trumps Table, not to mention the fact that there is no Complete Divine errata ruling on this, the RAW stance is that you have a 10/10 caster level advancement class.

Considering the fact that a 17th-level cleric or 18th-level Favored Soul can emulate 7th or lower spells of any class via casting Miracle, I don't know if Rainbow Servant combo is overtly powerful.

Being able to spontaniously cast any cleric spell without using 9th level spells to replicate them is a tad overpowered when you lose no caster levels for doing so.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Which is why most DMs will go by the table, because the class clearly is overpowered with full casting progression.

 

[pawsplay]

I'd like to point out that although this is a commonly accepted interpretation of how a Beguiler and Rainbow Servant interact, there is an equally valid alternative. Rainbow servant says the character "can learn and cast" cleric spells. It does not actually state the character learns them. Hence, wizards can add them to their spellbooks, sorcerers can learn them at new levels, and so forth.

The only time a beguiler learns new spells ordinarily is through gaining a new spell level (when it is specified they now know the spells from their list at that level) and through advanced learning (which only permits wizard spells). Thus a beguiler who becomes a Rainbow Servant would have to use the Extra Spell or epic feats to actually learn the spells.

I prefer this interpretation not only for balance reasons, but for imposing some sense and order. After all, a warmage or beguiler's training does not grant him a general knowledge of all cleric spells. Further, it is consistent with the beguiler's limited ability to learn new spells. Finally, it appears to be literally correct by the RAW.

 

[Dandu]

Which is why most DMs will go by the table, because the class clearly is overpowered with full casting progression.

Only when used with the Beguiler, Warmage, or Dread Necromancer. It is balanced with Sorcerers and Wizards as a 10/10.

 

[NilesB]

Only when used with the Beguiler, Warmage, or Dread Necromancer. It is balanced with Sorcerers and Wizards as a 10/10.

For Sorcererors, maybe. For Wizards, definitely not.

 

[Dandu]

It's kinda like being an archivist at level 15, without the nifty class features, and restricted to Cleric spells.

So only overpowered after level 14.

And quite frankly, a level 15 wizard is problematic as is...

 

[pawsplay]

On the other hand, three caster levels is probably too severe, even using the more liberal interpretation of Beguiler/Rainbow Servant.