How do I calculate my spell's DC?

[granada777]

My Bard casts Cacophonous Call (enchantment) on an enemy. The combat log shows my spell's DC is 20. How is that 20 calculated?

Relevant info:
-Pure level 8 bard (Thundercaller)
-CHA 22 (+6)
-I boosted Enchantment DC using the feats Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus (+1 DC each)
-Removed all gear

I get that +6 from CHA and +2 from Spell Focus gave me +8 to DC. That leaves 12 unaccounted for. My bard is level 8, so it can't be the caster level only.

Btw, other than Eagle's Splendor for +4 CHA / +2 DC, what other options are available to me to make those enchantments land more often? Enemies are saving so often.

[Immortal Reaver]

Base +10
CHARISMA +6
Feats +2
Spell Level +2

You are missing spell level in your calculation.

For landing more often you best is to use spell that targets the lowest enemy saves, Reflex and Will are usually lowest, most enemies have high Fortitude (Spellcasters have low fortitudes but not many of them are in game as enemies). Inspect enemies ("Y/Z" or Eye icon) and see what save is lowest.
Use Heighten metamagic to up the spell level/Use higher level spell.
Take Elemental Focus and use spell that in addidtion to CC deals elemental damage that can get +2DC. (Sirocco deals Fire damage + is CC)
You can eventually get +6 Charisma. You will 100% get +6 Mental Stats Crown after chapter 5. You can also find +8 CHA helmet and get +2 to all stat potion as Bokken's masterpiece.
Unique Items.

[granada777]

Първоначално публикувано от Immortal Reaver:

Base +10
...

Interesting. So a 8 Bard and a level 20 Bard have the same chance of landing Cacophonous Call, assuming they have the same feats/CHA? Only the spell's level matters?

I sorta ignored all that metamagic stuff so far, I'll take Heighten as a feat at the next opportunity.

[Zzyl_tsw]

In addition, some equipement might give DC bonus, but they are rare (and while I am sure there are some in wotr, not sure in PFK)

[Immortal Reaver]

Първоначално публикувано от granada777:

Interesting. So a 8 Bard and a level 20 Bard have the same chance of landing Cacophonous Call, assuming they have the same feats/CHA? Only the spell's level matters?

I sorta ignored all that metamagic stuff so far, I'll take Heighten as a feat at the next opportunity.

Yes. Note Heighten just makes your spell higher level. If you use any other metamagic without Heighten it will not raise DC.
If you use Reach on C. Call, it will cast with lvl 3 spell slot, but its DC will still be 20. But if you use Reach + Heighten, and cast it with lvl 3 spell slot it will have +1 DC.
Another thing is that spontaneous caster (Sorcerer, Bard, Inquisitor....) will prolong all metamagic spell to 6 second casting animation.

[Frostfeather]

Just wanted to add, if you really want to go for a DC caster, you might consider using the Call of the Wild mod for Persistent Spell. That metamagic is in Wrath, so it's not unreasonable to use it in Kingmaker, too.

[granada777]

@night4, would that require me to start a new game?

[Frostfeather]

Първоначално публикувано от granada777:

@night4, would that require me to start a new game?

I'm not sure offhand, but I guess it could be worth a shot. Should only take a minute or two to install it and you can easily remove it if needed.