Stacking Caster Level from Different Classes

[Cassander]

Is there any reason, other than flavor, for caster levels from different classes not to stack? One could worry about a wizard dipping into cleric to get healing spells and not giving up any caster level, but she would already be giving up higher spell level wizard spells for lower level cleric spells, so that seems like a steep enough price already, not even considering incompatible casting ability scores and incompatible class features (like armor). Multi-classed casters seem to hurt for power, so is there any reason power-wise not to just let all caster levels stack?

And if this is in place, would there need to be any changes to Mystic Theurge?

 

[Nifft]

You may be interested in the magic rating system presented in Unearthed Arcana.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Spatzimaus]

There are a few potential abuses, but for the most part, no, there's no reason not to stack them, if you're only adding caster levels for purposes of spell effects.

But, you can do more. So, IMC, we long ago made this change:

Nature casters (Rangers and Druids) stack their caster levels, and all of their spell slots are combined directly. (This means that, in effect, a Druid spell slot can be used to memorize a Ranger spell, and vice versa.) You only get the bonus spells for high WIS once, though.

Divine casters (Paladins and Clerics) combine in a similar way, with one slight change for the Domain rules, which are different in our rules.

Arcane classes (Bard and Sorcerer) combine in the same way as the Nature classes.

And, the Psionic classes (Psychic Warrior and Psion) combine in the easiest way; power points per day are simply added.

We dumped Wizards from our campaign, so they don't really get involved in this discussion.

 

[Cassander]

Thanks!

I'm thinking of going with the two systems (arcane and divine) and then requiring a feat if you want to combine them into one.

Has anyone tried the UA stacking system out much in actual play? Does it hold up? Does Mystic Theurge have to be altered any? I've heard Mystic Theurge is pretty balanced at higher levels with some practiced spellcaster added, would this make it too powerful? All I can see is being a little overpowered at 2nd, when normal wizards don't get 2nd level spells yet and yet multiclassed wizard-priests get lots of spells and the same caster level. Perhaps I can put a caster level requirement or the like on the feat to let this only come into play when the multiclassed arcane-divine starts hurting.

 

[Laman Stahros]

The magic rating system in Unearthed Arcana doesn't increase the number of spells per day at all, only the caster level of the spells the character has already. Of course it can be read (or applied) in different ways.

I have used the magic rating system and it seems to work very nicely. I ignored the arcane - divine divide for the magic rating and it didn't break the game. YMMV.

 

[Cassander]

Oh, I know that the caster level doesn't give extra spells. When I said a Wiz1/Clr1 gets more spells, I meant in comparison to a Wiz2 or Clr2. From the second level of either of those classes, a single-classed character just gets one extra first level spell. If they instead multiclass, they get 3 (1+domain/specialist+ability score bonus) first level spells as well as some cantrips. They are trading one caster level for two first level spells and some cantrips, as well as more spell variety... with this system, they would be getting the spells for free and giving up nothing, essentially. Of course, what they really lose comes in at higher levels... ie, at third, they won't get 2nd level spells at all. But at Wiz1/Clr1, they rule.

 

[Nifft]

^ That's just normal for multi-classing, though.

Cleric 2: 8 + 1d8 hp, 2 + Wis 1st level spells, lame skill points.

Barbarian 1 / Cleric 1: 12 + 1d8 hp, 1 + Wis 1st level spell(s), okay skill points, RAAAAAAGE, fast movement, all martial weapons!!!

Cheers, -- N

PS: Multi-classing is like the Dark Side in SW-RCR. Very tempting to apprentices, but reduces your potential power at high level.