Practiced Spellcaster

[Joël of the FoS]

from Complete Arcane, p 82.

Anybody has an opinion on this feat? It boost the casting level of any spell a caster makes by four levels, assuming they have four levels in another class. My players are bugging me to allow it!

I think it's not equilibrated (a Whatever4/Wiz1 making five hit dice shocking graps?) and all NPCs would want one level in Wiz or Sor and this feat.

Other thoughts?

Joël

[Stygian Inquirer]

I have used it before and I found that it didn't really unbalance the campaign. Yes, it increases the damage dice for spells and the level check for Spell Resistance but it doesn't increase the spells per day. It works well with spellswords. I usually change the prerequisites to include 'Arcane Spellcaster Level 4+' to make it really balanced.

[ScS of the Fraternity]

I would agree.

Multiclassign is a terrible gamble in 3rd edition because when you take a single level in another class, you only gain lousy 1st level abilities. Often this doesn't matter, since the abilities mesh with other factors (Ex; 1st level barbarian rage is pretty useful even at 10th level). However, multiclass spellcasters have always been shooting themselves in the foot.


I say encourage multi-classing and go for it.

[alhoon]

IIRC Practiced spellcaster doesn't allow you a caster level as high as your total class levels.

I mean, a 4th level fighter/1st level wizard couldn't be able to cast spells as a 5th level wizard but as a 4th level one.
Also I think it is balanced especially combined with the spell point system of the Unearthed Arcana. Why? Because a 8th level fighter/1st level wizard would still have only 3SPs so he could spent them all to do 3d6 damage with a socking grasp or 2d4+2 with a magic missile.
Just my opinion.

[Le Noir Faineant]

I think it depends on the gaming group. - Since some of my players tend to a certain munchkinism, I wouldn't allow it for my group. (I am running a very classic game by now, allowing multiclassing not before level 4.)

[JinnTolser]

It definitely depends on the group. With the min/max crowd you have to be careful about allowing. However, multiclassing DOES tend to screw spellcasters (as much or more than playing a race with a level adjustment), so this might be a handy way to make that at least a LITTLE more viable.