D&D FAQ gets it wrong?

[Marshall]

So then you agree that a 5th-level Paladin qualifies as a 5th-level divine caster? That seems to break the intent to me.

Yes, I do. And, No, it doesnt, since the intent was to define a way for Arcane/Divine Casters who dont use spells to qualify for the PrC.

The obvious intent of the rule was not obvious to the posters of an entire thread here on ENWorld.

The INTENT was obvious, the thread was about the ambiguity of the wording.
Its easy to read it as Arcane Caster Level, 5th instead of the intended Arcane Caster, Level 5th.
There is a problem with ruling this way tho, Warlocks and Dragonfire Adepts DONT qualify for IC feats anymore since they are not spellcasters.

There are other prerequisites of those PrC (like skills) that bar early entry with PS. And you are putting yourself behind in spell level attained. I interpreted it the same way customer service did as a way to go into those PrC as a minor spellcaster. I definately don't think it was obvious as the fact that they felt it necessary to create a FAQ entry. Many must have asked for clarification, hence the Frequently in FAQ.

Actually, reading it as pure Caster Level shortchanges quite a few levels in more than a few PrCs. Suddenly you dont have to be a ROG3/WIZ3 to meet the prereq, you can be a ROG4/WIZ1, yada....

 

[Artoomis]

...There is a problem with ruling this way tho, Warlocks and Dragonfire Adepts DONT qualify for IC feats anymore since they are not spellcasters...

Funny..., I don't see that as a problem.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So then you agree that a 5th-level Paladin qualifies as a 5th-level divine caster? That seems to break the intent to me.

If it says "Arcane caster level 5th", it's requiring that your caster level in an arcane class is 5th or higher. Practiced Spellcaster will help.

This is not the requirement addressed by the FAQ. The requirement addressed is "Spellcaster level 5th".

Two answers it's nice to see in the new FAQ: if you're prone, you must crawl (unelss you have no motive limbs) to move; and Extra Spell allows you to select a spell from your class list.

-Hyp.

 

[frankthedm]

Quoted for truth.

If you want to discuss an oppinion that the Soulknife is underpowered, and needs some tweaks to be balanced, thats one thing. But to try and argue that WotC is supposed to be inconsistent with their rulings to give the class a power boost is something else entirely.

Underpowerered? Now, I'll admid i have not read or playtested the class, but since they make thier own magic weapon, ALL their GP can be invested in magic armor and defences. I believe it was the PHB2 that sugested the first and greatest expence for a combat character be thier weapon.

Plus, that Charged psychic strike-knife to the soul can eliminate a LOT of Int 1,2 & 3 high HP beat down critters outright.

 

[dvvega]

Unfortunately the Practiced Spellcaster feat cannot aid you to qualify for a PrC. Why?

Practiced Spellcaster
Choose one of your spellcasting classes. The spells you cast from this class have +4 Caster level (up to your number of HD).

Note that the +4 bonus is only for the spells you cast from the specified class. It does not increase your caster level unless you are casting a spell from your class.

If this feat has been reworded in some text I have no access to then it may be different.

In addition, the argument about a Paladin 5 qualifying for a Spellcaster 5 PrC is incorrect as well. Why? Because

Through 3rd level, a paladin has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, her caster level is one-half her paladin level.

The only thing I think is weird is that the Practiced Spellcaster feat gives you a caster level bonus based on Hit Dice. This may cause "issues" with LA races that grant a high number of hit dice, bypassing the character level somehow.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

If it says "Arcane caster level 5th", it's requiring that your caster level in an arcane class is 5th or higher. Practiced Spellcaster will help.

This is not the requirement addressed by the FAQ. The requirement addressed is "Spellcaster level 5th".

Two answers it's nice to see in the new FAQ: if you're prone, you must crawl (unelss you have no motive limbs) to move; and Extra Spell allows you to select a spell from your class list.

-Hyp.

So "Caster Level 5th" listed for Acolyte of the Skin can ce accomplished with PS? But "Arcane Caster Level 3rd" listed for Enlightened Fist must be a 3rd level arcane caster, even a 3rd level Hexblade?

Edit: Wait, those two are the same, just one is Arcane and the other is not.

Can I make a Wiz1/Brb4/AotS x qualifying with PS?

Can you give me an example of a PrC that has the requirement of Spellcaster level 5th? Maybe that would clear things up for me.

 

[dvvega]

No it is not correct. I don't know how people have interpreted Practiced Spellcaster as giving you equivalent caster levels. It only modifies spells you are casting.

 

[Artoomis]

No it is not correct. I don't know how people have interpreted Practiced Spellcaster as giving you equivalent caster levels. It only modifies spells you are casting.

That's not what it says if this is correct:

Practiced Spellcaster
Choose one of your spellcasting classes. The spells you cast from this class have +4 Caster level (up to your number of HD).

Looks like your caster level is increased ONLY for spells you cast NOT for any other reason, I guess. That's what it says.

So I guess you can't use this to qualify for anything that requies a higher caster level in general, but you could if something stated a requirement to "cast spells at xxx caster level" as opposed to "caster level xxx."

 

[dvvega]

Yeah I posted the feat text two posts ago and then just paraphrased the interpretation on the last post

The end result is that Practiced Spellcaster is solely there to allow multi-classed casters to cast at their full level so that their magical "oomph" is in paralell with others of their level.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Yeah I posted the feat text two posts ago and then just paraphrased the interpretation on the last post

The end result is that Practiced Spellcaster is solely there to allow multi-classed casters to cast at their full level so that their magical "oomph" is in paralell with others of their level.

I well know this as I had a Kalashtar Cerebremancer that had both practiced spellcaster and practiced manifester. This definitely gavethe umph that kept the character competative if not on the upper end character power.

This didn't give the character anything that would qualify him for a spellcasting class.