Caster Levels

[MQP]

I just had a quick thought, but unfortunately I have to run to work, so I just wanted to throw this out there and get someinput...

How unbalancing would it be if you simply switched out "caster level" for "character level" when it comes to spells and whatever else? I.E. When a Ftr4/Wiz1 casts magic missile, it gives you three missiles instead of one?

To my way of thinking, it's not as if the character who dabbles in magic would become an "uber-caster" because, after all, he still wouldn't have access to the higher spell levels, but those few magics he can use are still viable for him as he starts facing tougher challenges. However, there may very well be something here that I'm not seeing...

Anyway, just a thought, and I've already been too verbose already, I'm gonna miss my bus...

MQP

 

[Plane Sailing]

To my mind not unbalancing at all, it is what I do in my campaign.

Some might argue that a Ftr19 who picks up 1 level in wizard shouldn't be firing 5 magic missiles with a +20 on his chance to get through SR but I say "why not?" It NEEDS to have the caster level benefit in order to make it a valid choice IMO.

The one tangley issue to my mind is paladins and rangers, who at present have a caster level = half character level... but simply giving them full level as caster level isn't going to cause any problem, merely make some of their spells (like the paladins dispel magic) usable!

I think its an all-good change.

 

[Li Shenron]

I prefer to let only caster level stacks for multiclassed spellcasters. That is, a WizX/CleY would have caster level X+Y with all his spells. A WizX/PalY would have X+(Y/2), while a WizX/FtrY would still have X. Just for a matter of flavor. Not that I have used this HR yet at all, it just came to my mind a couple of months ago but I am not DMing currently.

 

[MQP]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to do this (character levels count as caster levels), since we have no "straight" spellslingers in my campaign.

The Ftr/Clr will be pleased.

MQP

 

[Centaur]

Maybe only have the character levels gained since the wizard level count. That way, someone who gains 2 levels of fighter, then 1 wizard and then 2 more fighter would be a Ftr4/Wiz1 with a caster level of 3.

 

[Thimble the Squit]

Caster Level

A rule I've seen suggested quite often (on this board and others) is that Base Caster Level (BCL) increases at variable rates depending on class, like BAB:

• Primary Spellcasters: +1 BCL / level
• Secondary Spellcasters: +1/2 BCL / level
• Non-spellcasters: +1/4 BCL / level

This would mean that a Wiz10 / Rgr6 / Ftr4 would have an effective caster level (for all her magic, including her ranger spells) of [+10/+3/+1 = 14th level].

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

The only problem I see with this is that what's the point of playing a straight mage then?

Granted a single-class wizard may have access to more and higher level spells, but when the 5th level fighter/1st level wizard walks up and casts a magic missle with as much potency as my 6th level wizard, I begin to feel a bit useless.

 

[Scion]

Until you notice that they can only cast one MM a day of course

Although I guess if they really put some effort into it they could hit 3, but then they would still suffer from arcane failure. Most fighters like to wear armor after all. So probably most of the time they'd be going for things like true strike, which dont depend much on caster level. No harm no fowl as it were..lol (yes, I know)

 

[Hardhead]

I prefer to let only caster level stacks for multiclassed spellcasters. That is, a WizX/CleY would have caster level X+Y with all his spells. A WizX/PalY would have X+(Y/2), while a WizX/FtrY would still have X. Just for a matter of flavor. Not that I have used this HR yet at all, it just came to my mind a couple of months ago but I am not DMing currently.

This is how Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed does it, though there are no "half casters" in that world.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Granted a single-class wizard may have access to more and higher level spells, but when the 5th level fighter/1st level wizard walks up and casts a magic missle with as much potency as my 6th level wizard, I begin to feel a bit useless.

Apart from the time you go INVISIBLE, KNOCK open the door, use FIREBALL to clear a whole room of orcs in one second and FLY everyone across the ravine?