Prestige classes and familiars

[tetsujin28]

Are levels in arcane PrCs that give the "+1 level blah blah" ability considered to stack with levels in other arcane classes for the purposes of familiars? I'm inclined to say no, but since our group isn't big on arcane casters, this is the first time it's come up.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Are levels in arcane PrCs that give the "+1 level blah blah" ability considered to stack with levels in other arcane classes for the purposes of familiars? I'm inclined to say no, but since our group isn't big on arcane casters, this is the first time it's come up.

Nope.

When a new BLAH level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for an increased effective level of spellcasting.

Familiars are included in that "other benefit" clause.

 

[tetsujin28]

Thanks, Ari. That's what I thought.

 

[Sledge]

Note that the "Obtain familiar" feat (Complete Arcane) will give you a familiar that uses all levels of classes that provide arcane spellcasting. In other words even classes like Dragon Disciple would give the full 10 levels.

 

[lukelightning]

And if a PrC grants familiar abilities, they stack. The only one I can think of is the Alienist.