Question about 5e spells

[CrazyElf]

Some spells increase in damage as you go up in level with something that says "This spell’s damage increases by 1dX when you reach 5th level.. etc.."
Now, Is that just character level? Did they get rid of caster level in 5e?
So a 5th lvl Wizard would do the same damage as a 5th lvl Fighter who got the spell from the Magic Initiate feat?

Just trying to understand how they changed things since I was used to 3.5. :smallconfused:

[pwykersotz]

No, you have to use spells in higher level spell slots now. So you are correct, Caster Level is not a meaningful term anymore.

Now Cantrips on the other hand, those scale like you're used to and it's based on your Level (or Character Level if you prefer).

[Madfellow]

I'm fairly sure that cantrips scale with character level, not caster level. However, it's ambiguous enough that a DM might rule otherwise. Does anyone know if a Wizards employee has ruled on this definitively?

[pwykersotz]

I'm fairly sure that cantrips scale with character level, not caster level. However, it's ambiguous enough that a DM might rule otherwise. Does anyone know if a Wizards employee has ruled on this definitively?

Yes they have. (https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/537472480940548096)

[Madfellow]

Yes they have. (https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/537472480940548096)

Cool, thanks.