Quaterstaff Ashmaker

[blessku]

So I got this quaterstaff named "Ashmaker" it should improve my caster level for all evocation spells by +2.

Once I got it equipped I cast fireball while I got it equipped and without staff and combat log results completely same.

In mine opinion difficult class should been raised from 22 to 24. Or i got it wrong??

1)
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2004695120343348655/4CF544C7678FAA9291684858095A45EB898899B2/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

2)
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2004695120343349937/15B4B64F41F12945602B382400FA2671778F4E13/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

3)
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2004695120343350703/0A2757EDED0D8446998245FBC996481B6F90AE70/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

I thought maybe i got it wrong and it allows me to cast spells which wouldnt be accesible to me otherwise in case Iam spell caster level 6 and i want to cast level 8 spells. Once I equip quaterstaff I can cast spells of level 8 class. But it doesnt work like it neither. So it is bug or I just dont understand the mechanics in here?

[Max Kojote, M.SC]

Caster Level does not increase spell DC. It does, however, increase the damage some spells like Fireball (up to 10d6 in this case) or duration of some spells (like summons) - and increases bonuses to bypassing spell resistance. Essentially it's a bonus to anything involving a caster level check as well (like Dispel Magic). But it won't increase your spell slots or spell access.

[blessku]

I got staff of war mage which increases 2+ DC and has 19,7k gold value ashmaker has almost 28k gold value but except +4 enchantment and some fire bonus damage from melle attack which is quite unimportant since I always try to dodge having my spellcasting units anywhere near close combat its quite ♥♥♥♥♥♥ staff. I wonder how longer can unit which u summon by spell lasts longer in fight by thowse 2 extra caster levels ....5 seconds? I had high hopes but this item is pretty lame. Negating save throws is most important feature of spell which should anyone focus everything else is unimportant.

[Tyrendian89]

Originally posted by blessku:

I got staff of war mage which increases 2+ DC and has 19,7k gold value ashmaker has almost 28k gold value but except +4 enchantment and some fire bonus damage from melle attack which is quite unimportant since I always try to dodge having my spellcasting units anywhere near close combat its quite ♥♥♥♥♥♥ staff. I wonder how longer can unit which u summon by spell lasts longer in fight by thowse 2 extra caster levels ....5 seconds? I had high hopes but this item is pretty lame. Negating save throws is most important feature of spell which should anyone focus everything else is unimportant.

umm... no. 2 extra levels on a Hellfire Ray (pretty much THE premier single target nuke - my unoptimized Ember hits for around 500-600 without any crits) can more than double its damage at the right breakpoint.
There are quite a few spells where Caster level is mostly or completely useless though. But that doesnt make Ashmaker/War Mage useless.

[hilburnashua]

Those two are probably the best weapons in the game for a caster that wants to throw evocation spells. Even if you don't get a damage increase due to the spell having a cap on the damage dice for level the bonus to your caster level helps with spell penetration and can allow you to equip other items that can give additional effects.

[mk11]

It is also giving you +2 to hit on your rays.

[blessku]

Originally posted by hilburnashua:

Those two are probably the best weapons in the game for a caster that wants to throw evocation spells. Even if you don't get a damage increase due to the spell having a cap on the damage dice for level the bonus to your caster level helps with spell penetration and can allow you to equip other items that can give additional effects.

------------------------------------
Spell penetration is based on penetration value of caster main spellcasting attributes modifier for example for wizard intelligence it can be increased by special food special items or feats like spell penetration greater penetration or mythic penetration or elven spirit. Thats something which can be measured and working in reality. But anything uve said so far aint faint evidence in the combat log nor visible effect. I tried several times casting several spells and I dont see any evidence that this item ashmaker would improve casting of evocation spells ANYHOW.

[blessku]

Originally posted by hilburnashua:

Those two are probably the best weapons in the game for a caster that wants to throw evocation spells. Even if you don't get a damage increase due to the spell having a cap on the damage dice for level the bonus to your caster level helps with spell penetration and can allow you to equip other items that can give additional effects.

-----------------------------
Just save game attack with anyone equipped with ashmaker cast for instance fireball ,hellfire ray on him then check the combat log do load the game and do the same without ashmaker you can see there isnt any noticible difference measurable or visible. In mine opinion its bug and staff should increase IF equipped DC of all evocation spells but it doesnt therefore its crappy worhless staff good for selling tho.

[Tyrendian89]

considering Ashmaker is a core part of a key Ember (or any Ray Blaster, really) build, I call PEBKAC. Any chance you've got your Ashmaker in a secondary Weapon Slot, but not actually "in your hands"?

[blessku]

Originally posted by Tyrendian89:

considering Ashmaker is a core part of a key Ember (or any Ray Blaster, really) build, I call PEBKAC. Any chance you've got your Ashmaker in a secondary Weapon Slot, but not actually "in your hands"?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0,00000000000% chance

[hilburnashua]

Originally posted by blessku:

Originally posted by hilburnashua:

Those two are probably the best weapons in the game for a caster that wants to throw evocation spells. Even if you don't get a damage increase due to the spell having a cap on the damage dice for level the bonus to your caster level helps with spell penetration and can allow you to equip other items that can give additional effects.

------------------------------------
Spell penetration is based on penetration value of caster main spellcasting attributes modifier for example for wizard intelligence it can be increased by special food special items or feats like spell penetration greater penetration or mythic penetration or elven spirit. Thats something which can be measured and working in reality. But anything uve said so far aint faint evidence in the combat log nor visible effect. I tried several times casting several spells and I dont see any evidence that this item ashmaker would improve casting of evocation spells ANYHOW.

Spell Penetration has absolutely nothing to do with the spellcasting stat. It is only the caster level + spell penetration feats + any items or the rare buff that gives a bonus to caster level/spell penetration plus the result of a D20 roll.

A spells DC is 10+ the spell's level (without the increases associated with metamagic feats EXCEPT heighten)+ the controlling stat modifier (Int for Wizards, Wis for Clerics/Druids, Charisma for Sorcerers, etc) + any feats/items/buffs that add to the DC. Those last are almost always associated with a specific school of magic or a type of saving throw (Fort, Reflex, Will) associated with the spell to resist the effects of the spell.

[blessku]

Spell Penetration has absolutely nothing to do with the spellcasting stat. It is only the caster level + spell penetration feats + any items or the rare buff that gives a bonus to caster level/spell penetration plus the result of a D20 roll. [/quote]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Where in the combat log is counted with the bonus effect of this staff mind enlighten me? How to prove it has any measurable effect on spell?

[hilburnashua]

Originally posted by blessku:

Spell Penetration has absolutely nothing to do with the spellcasting stat. It is only the caster level + spell penetration feats + any items or the rare buff that gives a bonus to caster level/spell penetration plus the result of a D20 roll.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Where in the combat log is counted with the bonus effect of this staff mind enlighten me? How to prove it has any measurable effect on spell? [/quote]

Unfortunately, there is no detailed breakdown for either spell penetration or spell DC in the combat log. However, try this. Open up the character profile and go to the spell book of the character with the staff. On the left hand side of the spell book it will tell you what that character's spell penetration is with all the bonuses it has at the moment (not sure if allied spellcaster teamwork feat will show up here unless you are in combat or not). If you look in the spell book at a spell of the evocation school look at it's Difficulty Class (DC). Now unequip your staff. Look at the spell again. If it doesn't change then there is a bug and you should report it. I just check with Daerun and took off both his Robe of Fire and his Fiery Spell Weaver and I can say the numbers for both spell penetration and DC changed exactly as they should have.

Hope that helps.

[blessku]

I tried to equip and test this on 4 casters Camelie Ember Caerun and that Foxxy character. Used same level spell with staff without staff, staff in other slot. Ive casted with differrent characters SAME spell vs same enemy and loaded several time just to see outcome and math in combat log or how spell works with and without staff or just against one of mine companion. I checked spellbook stats with and without staff and if any numbers change at spells or caster statts and my findings ARE that this staff has ZERO effects towards improving evocation magic in any sense. U havent post any screenshot from urs claims either therefore I simply not able to comprehend what is urs goal by spreading these myths.

[Max Kojote, M.SC]

Then I would report that as a bug. By the rules of the tabletop the game is based on and expected rules via the tooltip, it should be affecting at the very least damage dice (up to a maximum as noted in the entry e.g. Fireball maxing at 10d6 or CL10), and spell penetration rolls.