Stacking Caster levels - feedback request

[FireLance]

Actually, I would suggest a Magic Rating (MR) system so that even the nonspellcaster/spellcaster multiclass will get some benefit from nonspellcaster levels.

The Unearthed Arcana system gives bards, clerics, druids, sorcerers and wizards MR = class level; monks, paladins and rangers MR = class level/2; and barbarians, fighters and rogues MR = class level/4.

MR from all classes stack and substitutes for spellcaster level for all spellcasting classes.

I personally think that the MR progression for monks, paladins, rangers, barbarians, fighters and rogues is too slow. I would give monks, paladins and rangers MR = class level x 0.75 (like medium BAB) and barbarians, fighters and rogues MR = class level x 0.5 (like poor BAB).

As for divine favor, hasn't it been changed so that the bonus is capped at +3 for a 9th-level spellcaster?

 

[Rystil Arden]

Mystic Theurge is not stronger than a single-classed caster, nor is it even comparably close except perhaps at level 20. There are several good threads that explain why, but I'd be willing to do so as well if you don't agree. Versatile? Yes. Strong? Absolutely not.

 

[Plane Sailing]

As for divine favor, hasn't it been changed so that the bonus is capped at +3 for a 9th-level spellcaster?

I hadn't noticed (don't pay much attention to errata/faq) but it certainly makes sense.

Cheers

 

[Ferret]

Think about it, the fighter half still gets some BAB, so not so bad. It sounded like more in my head though..... :\

 

[maggot]

I'd go with caster level equals the lesser of your total level or twice your spellcaster level. So a Wiz10/Fighter 10 casts as 20th, but a Cleric 1/Fighter 19 casts as only 2nd.

 

[S'mon]

Mystic Theurge is not stronger than a single-classed caster, nor is it even comparably close except perhaps at level 20. There are several good threads that explain why, but I'd be willing to do so as well if you don't agree. Versatile? Yes. Strong? Absolutely not.

It would be stronger IMC, where spell scarcity is more an issue than in standard 3e.

 

[S'mon]

I'd go with caster level equals the lesser of your total level or twice your spellcaster level. So a Wiz10/Fighter 10 casts as 20th, but a Cleric 1/Fighter 19 casts as only 2nd.

That's actually a very good idea, thanks.

 

[Li Shenron]

I don't know which could be the best solution, but:

- stacking caster level is not unbalancing in general

- an odd thing is that a Paladin or Ranger multiclassed with a full-caster, can occasionally have a higher caster level of Paladin/Rangers spells than a straight Paladin or Ranger

- if you go caster level = character level, you have to rule that Paladins and Rangers also have full caster level (otherwise it's even more odd)

- UA's Magic Rating is a good suggestion which gives different classes a caster level progression just as BAB, but you may rather want to assign your values as you see best

- don't bother about prestige classes or non-core feats when making a house rule the general rule is more important than optional material!

There are no sensible balance problems IMHO with all the methods suggested here, but there is one possible flavor problem: a character picking up her first level in a new spellcasting class immediately starts with a caster level. For instance, a 14th level Cleric who takes a single level of Sorcerer, immediately casts Magic Missiles with caster level 15. IMHO this is mostly a flavor issue, and as such just think if you like it or not...

 

[knight_isa]

I'd go with caster level equals the lesser of your total level or twice your spellcaster level. So a Wiz10/Fighter 10 casts as 20th, but a Cleric 1/Fighter 19 casts as only 2nd.

I like this, too, if you figure caster level for each class separately. For example, a Cleric 11/Ranger 4/Wizard 5 would have caster levels of cleric 20/ranger 4/wizard 10.

I like this idea a lot. I think I'll propose it to my group.

 

[Stalker0]

I think UA's magic rating is the best way to go, however, this way works just fine and its simple to implement.