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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Falling Icicle" data-source="post: 5884981" data-attributes="member: 17077">#3 in particular was a big problem for multiple reasons, all of which have to do with "caster level." For one, it made things scale rather oddly. 1st level damaging spells literally multiply several times in power as a caster goes up in level, for example. Should a 9th level wizard's magic missile be literally FIVE TIMES as powerful as a 1st level wizard's, using the exact same level of spell slot? I mean, yeah, people should get better and grow in power, but that's ridiculous. It also makes stories like the archmage who is jealous of his very talented apprentice impossible, because it's impossible for an apprentice to be better at casting a lower level spell than his master is.The other big problems were with spell durations and spell resistance. Summon Monster, for example, is practically worthless at level 1 because it only lasts 1 round. It's, IMHO, bad design for spell durations to have anything to do with the caster's level. Just make summon spells last for an encounter or 5 minutes or whatever, no matter what level the caster is. A higher level caster can summon more powerful monsters. Isn't that enough?Caster level also caused problems with magic items and multiclassing. Some spells were just not worth crafting as a scroll or wand because you'd have to make them at a much higher CL to be effective, while some spells, like endure elements and silent image, were as good at 1st CL as at 20th. Removing CL, as 4e did, solves all of these issues.If they do decide to go with 3e-style multiclassing, it is particularly important that caster level not exist in the new system. Why even bother taking only 1 level of a spellcasting class when many of the spells will be useless? What is really wrong with a 19th level fighter/1st level wizard having a few full-powered magic missiles each day? Why would he ever bother to waste a turn casting a spell that only does 1d4 + 1 damage at that level? Having no CL means that everything will remain relevant throughout all levels of play and be consistent and balanced.</blockquote>

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