Rangers and PrCs

[Witness]

Can a multiclassed Ranger who takes levels in a spellcaster Prestige Class apply his "+1 to an existing class" to Ranger if he can't yet cast Ranger spells?

The way I understand the rules is that if he is at least 4th level, the character can apply the "+1 to an existing class" to his Ranger levels. But a Ranger below 4th level has no spell caster level. Obviously you couldn't apply the +1 to a class that can't cast spells or in which you have no levels. Could you apply the +1 to a 3rd level Ranger giving him spellcasting as a 4th level Ranger?

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i don't think so, witness. but what PrC could you get into at 3rd level anyway?

 

[hammymchamham]

Can you give us some specifics about what PrC's you're looking at

 

[Kai Lord]

Yes, the +1 Spellcasting Class levels from PrC's would apply to Rangers, because the Ranger is a spellcasting class. His caster levels just don't kick in until 4th level when he gets his first spells. So a Fighter3/Ranger3 who became a Hospitaler would be able to cast 1st level Ranger spells.

 

[Witness]

I didn't mean a straight Ranger, but a multiclassed spellcaster/Ranger.

I am specifically looking at the Witch Hunter PrC from Oriental Adventures. Right now I am a 2nd level Ranger about to multiclass into Wizard. The PrC is a least 5 or 6 levels off, and I don't necessarily plan on applying the +1 class level to the Ranger class. I just was curious as to what exactly the rules would allow.

 

[Mr Fidgit]

Kai Lord - i see what you mean. i was thinking of a single-classed ranger and wizardly PrCs, which tend to be fairly strict about casting requirements. and some that don't (Bladesinger) have their own spell lists anyway

Witness, if i was your DM, i'd definately allow it. since the Witch Hunter gets (relatively) few +1 caster levels for spells, getting Ranger spells early just isn't that powerful or unbalancing (since you have to have 3rd level spells (for Magic Circle) anyway)

 

[Moonglum]

You can do this even if he doesn't have 3rd level... IE: 2nd level Ranger takes a prestige class that gives +1 to current caster level. He would now be casting as a 3rd level Ranger. Since he doesn't have any spells at this level, that's fine. If he goes back and takes another level of Ranger (making him a 3rd level Ranger / 1st level Prestige class) he would now be casting as a 4th level Ranger. If he takes another level of the prestige class he would be casting as a 5th level Ranger.