Warlock and Practiced Caster

[Silveras]

I have to agree with Rowport.

p.72 of Complete Arcane has several paragraphs which split hairs about how the Warlock can qualify for feats and classes that require "caster level X" (Caster Level), but not for ones which require "able to cast X level spells" (Spellcasting Level).

The only requirement for Practiced Spellcaster is 4 skill ranks in Spellcraft. Ergo, the Warlock can qualify for it at 1st level (Spellcraft is a class skill).

Now, as to whether he can benefit from it, it sounds like it. Practiced Spellcaster increaes your caster level. Warlocks have a caster level, and gain increased caster level from Prestige Classes that give "+1 level of spellcasting class" (this is mentioned specifically,

 

[UltimaGabe]

I agree with the claim that Warlocks should be able to take Practiced Spellcaster, as they DO have caster levels. However, if they DID take it, they would get extremely few benefits.

Practiced Spellcaster increases your caster level- so a Sorcerer/Fighter can do more damage with a Fireball, that Cleric/Rogue does more healing with his cure spells, whatever. The next question, however, is how would a Warlock benefit from this? After all, very little of his abilities are based on caster level. His Eldritch Blast, for example, increases as his class level increases, and has nothing to do with Caster Level at all. (Would you let a Multiclass Rogue take a feat to increase his Sneak Attak by +2d6?) Practiced spellcaster WOULD, however, improve his ability to overcome spell resistance with said Eldritch Blast, as well as improve any of his Invocations that call for caster level (specifically, any that directly emulate spells, such as Stony Grasp or Voracious Dispelling). However, there's no reason why the Warlock would do more damage with his Eldritch Blast, because his Eldritch Blast damage isn't based on his caster level.

 

[Shin Okada]

As UltimaGabe said, a Warlock gets not that much from increased spellcaster level.

Slightly off topic. But if Practiced Spellcaster can increase a caster level of Spell-Like ability, some monsters (especially those with class levels) can become a little bit more powerful. A monster class can be a class with spell-like ability, just like Warlock. For example, a Bright Naga (5HD, caster level 3) can take the feat and now can start to shoot 3 Magic Missiles per turn (caster level of 5). If it is advanced to 7HD or take 2 levels of some classes, it can take the feat and can shoot 4 Magic Missiles per turn (caster level of 7)

I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

 

[UltimaGabe]

I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

I think it's an okay thing- but I don't think it'd be an issue. After all, the majority of monsters (if I'm not mistaken) have Caster Levels equal to their Hit Dice, so it won't happen to often.