Stacking Caster levels - feedback request

[S'mon]

Anyone think the following house rule is unbalanced? I think it makes them better, but usually still a good bit weaker than single-class. It's intended to replicate the way BAB, skill ranks et al stack and allow for viable multiclass spellcaster NPCs.

"Stacking multiclass caster levels - a multiclassed character can stack their caster levels for effect purposes like caster level checks & damage, so eg a Wiz-5/Clr-5 casts at 10th - fireballs that do 10d6 damage and Magic Vestment giving +2 armour.
For classes where caster level is half class level, like spellcasting Rangers, add half the class levels, rounded down - so Wiz-5/Rgr-5 casts at 7th level."

 

[hong]

Since I suggested pretty much the same thing about a year before 3.5E came out, chances are I don't think it's unbalanced.

This also appears in a slightly different form in UA under "magic rating".

 

[S'mon]

Thanks Hong. I'm not saying this rule is a work of genius - it seems pretty bloody obvious, really. It has the advantage of no longer needing a bunch of prestige classses when I'm making NPCs.

 

[FireLance]

I don't think it's unbalanced either. Just make sure nobody tries to claim +2 to caster level from a single level of Mystic Theurge.

 

[Rystil Arden]

This rule perhaps unintentionally makes it so that Wiz/Clr are doubly rewarded whereas Ftr/Wiz get nothing. I would suggest simply sticking with the Practised Spellcaster Feat, so if the player truly cares about Caster Level after multiclassing, they can get a +4 regardless of the second class.

 

[S'mon]

This rule perhaps unintentionally makes it so that Wiz/Clr are doubly rewarded whereas Ftr/Wiz get nothing. I would suggest simply sticking with the Practised Spellcaster Feat, so if the player truly cares about Caster Level after multiclassing, they can get a +4 regardless of the second class.

Wiz-Clr isn't 'doubly rewarded' - Wiz-5/Clr-5 is restricted to 3rd level spells rather than the 5th level spells of a single-class Wiz-10. That feat sounds kinda sucky, and anyway I want a rule primarily to make viable NPCs. I agree it leaves the Wiz-5/Ftr-5 still weak, but in 3e you can make a fairly viable "Spell-Sword" NPC with just 1 Ftr level and the rest Wiz, they don't need to be 5-5.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Wiz-Clr isn't 'doubly rewarded' - Wiz-5/Clr-5 is restricted to 3rd level spells rather than the 5th level spells of a single-class Wiz-10. That feat sounds kinda sucky, and anyway I want a rule primarily to make viable NPCs. I agree it leaves the Wiz-5/Ftr-5 still weak, but in 3e you can make a fairly viable "Spell-Sword" NPC with just 1 Ftr level and the rest Wiz, they don't need to be 5-5.

Wizard Cleric is doubly-rewarded because they get to add to caster level twice at each level, but they are obviously still weak for the reason you stated above (rewarded doesn't mean good). However, in your system, a Wiz10/Cleric10 casts as a level 20 in both classes (Yes, I know that they only get level 5 spells and that they still suck) whereas the Wiz10/Ftr10 gets caster level of 10 in one class. That's why the Wizard/Cleric is doubly-rewarded. The multiclass system is brokenly bad for primary casters. Fortunately, the solution was created in 3.5: The Mystic Theurge Prestige Class. It still leaves the Theurge weaker than a single-classed caster until very high levels, but it brings them closer. So I suggest to make your NPCs with Theurge levels because despite the double-reward optional rule, the Clr5/Wiz4 is still going to be worthless compared to a Clr9 or Wiz9.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I would suggest that for rangers and paladins you add class level -3 rather than half class level (and use the same for straight ranger/paladin caster levels too). Helps keep them competitive.

I certainly don't think this is unbalanced in the sense that these multiclass casters will not threaten their single classed opposite numbers, but it does narrow the gap a tiny bit and makes them more able to fight appropriate CR creatures.

I use the even more drastic "caster level = character level" so IMC a wizard 10, a wiz5/clr5 and a ftr9/wiz1 would all have a caster level of 10. This does have potential problems (ftr19/clr1 gets too much benefit from divine favour, for instance) but generally has worked very well for me.

Cheers

 

[S'mon]

Hi Plane - I thought about using Caster Level = Class Level, it would make single-class spellcasting Rangers & Paladins more powerful than core but maybe not overpowered. There are various other problems with prestige classes & such but I'll consider it.

Rystil - Mystic Theurge is too powerful & gets too many spells for my campaign. I'm looking at non-prestige class for the creation of normal NPCs.

 

[S'mon]

Just to reiterate - I want a rule that makes multiclass NPCs not too much horribly weaker than single-class, not a rule that makes players go "Ooo, I want that!"
Mystic Theurge is a PrC and is designed to be (eventually) stronger than a single-classed PC, it's not what I want IMC.