Caster levels

[jerrypocalypse]

Are Hunters considered full casters for purposes of determining caster level for spell effects/bonuses? If not, how is their caster level determined?

[Soul]

you can see caster level on the spellbook page on the left side... it shows caster level.. spell penetration...

[Soul]

Originally posted by Soul:

you can see caster level on the spellbook page on the left side... it shows caster level.. spell penetration...

I like your name, a man of class I see.

[forkofspite]

Caster level:
Yes. Caster Level = class level. The only classes with reduced caster level are rangers and paladins (both of which have Caster Level = class level - 3).

Spell advancement and spell levels:
No. They'll only reach level 6 spells - same as bards and inquisitors. Access to a new spell level at class levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16.

[jerrypocalypse]

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Caster level:
Yes. Caster Level = class level. The only classes with reduced caster level are rangers and paladins (both of which have Caster Level = class level - 3).

Spell advancement and spell levels:
No. They'll only reach level 6 spells - same as bards and inquisitors. Access to a new spell level at class levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16.

Perfect, thanks. I was aware of the spell advancement/levels, but wasn't sure about caster levels since I knew ranger and paladin were affected by that. I think I was getting tripped up on hunter being "ranger-like"

[Drake]

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Caster level:
Yes. Caster Level = class level. The only classes with reduced caster level are rangers and paladins (both of which have Caster Level = class level - 3).

Spell advancement and spell levels:
No. They'll only reach level 6 spells - same as bards and inquisitors. Access to a new spell level at class levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16.

And bloodrager.

Basically, if a spellcaster class doesn't get spells at level 1 but at level 4, it's a -3 caster class.

Hunter is not in the "warrior" category (meaning they don't get full bab, but 3/4 bab), it's an hybrid caster, it's the nature equivalent of the warpriest, the bard, the inquisitor and the magus. So they get full caster with 6th level spells, instead of 4 levels at -3 caster level.

[igor140]

Also, just to be clear (because I myself did not understand this early on), your caster level is equal to your class level IN THAT PARTICULAR CLASS.

So if you have 10 levels in wizard, your caster level is 10.

If you have six levels in wizard and four in fighter, you caster level is 6, despite having ten total levels.

The exception is if you multiclass into a prestige class that specifically says it continues your spell progression from the class you started in.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if you multiclass into two separate caster classes, each one is still "split" in terms of caster level.

For example, a Wizard14/ Sorcerer 6 would act use a Caster Level of 14 for the spells coming from the wizard spell list, and a Caster Level of 6 for spells on the Sorcerer spell list. That is correct, right?

[Drake]

Originally posted by igor140:

Also, just to be clear (because I myself did not understand this early on), your caster level is equal to your class level IN THAT PARTICULAR CLASS.

So if you have 10 levels in wizard, your caster level is 10.

If you have six levels in wizard and four in fighter, you caster level is 6, despite having ten total levels.

The exception is if you multiclass into a prestige class that specifically says it continues your spell progression from the class you started in.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but if you multiclass into two separate caster classes, each one is still "split" in terms of caster level.

For example, a Wizard14/ Sorcerer 6 would act use a Caster Level of 14 for the spells coming from the wizard spell list, and a Caster Level of 6 for spells on the Sorcerer spell list. That is correct, right?

Yes that's mostly correct. One detail to add. Prestige classes don't always give you caster levels at every level (for example dragon disciple will miss 2 or 3 caster levels, eldritch knight 1st level doesn't count for caster level) and they wil attach to only one (rarely 2, like with mystic theurge) base class.

So if you are wizard 5, eldritch knight 3, witch 4, the eldritch knight will up the caster level of wizard or witch, but not both, you'll choose when picking the prestige class.

There is one exception though. Spell-like abilities will sometimes have a caster level equal to the character level (so the sum of all class levels). It usually happens with racial abilities or those got from prestige classes.

[GunStarX]

Originally posted by Drake:

Originally posted by forkofspite:

Caster level:
Yes. Caster Level = class level. The only classes with reduced caster level are rangers and paladins (both of which have Caster Level = class level - 3).

Spell advancement and spell levels:
No. They'll only reach level 6 spells - same as bards and inquisitors. Access to a new spell level at class levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16.

And bloodrager.

Basically, if a spellcaster class doesn't get spells at level 1 but at level 4, it's a -3 caster class.

Hunter is not in the "warrior" category (meaning they don't get full bab, but 3/4 bab), it's an hybrid caster, it's the nature equivalent of the warpriest, the bard, the inquisitor and the magus. So they get full caster with 6th level spells, instead of 4 levels at -3 caster level.

Bloodrager actually has full caster level in the game.

[jerrypocalypse]

Turned out to be an informative topic, thanks all!