Getting 9th level spells on a partial caster???

[KoDT69]

I keep seeing it mentioned getting full casting onto partial caster classes like say the Bard or Duskblade. Using other classes, I thought other full classes had their own chart. I know there are PRC's specifically adding the higher spell levels so exclude those. But please help me understand how this works.

[daremetoidareyo]

I keep seeing it mentioned getting full casting onto partial caster classes like say the Bard or Duskblade. Using other classes, I thought other full classes had their own chart. I know there are PRC's specifically adding the higher spell levels so exclude those. But please help me understand how this works.

nar demonbinder (unapproachable East) and sublime chord (complete arcane) are the two prestige classes that offer higher level spells beginning with level 4.

Ur priest and apostle of peace can get you 1st through 9th level divine spells in 10 levels.

[Jormengand]

You cannot alter a partial spellcaster's ordinary casting progression to use ninth-level spells. Using a class with its own spell progression - such as the four given above, or cheating and going bard 2/sorcerer 18 - is the only way to get ninths on them.

Doing it the exact opposite way, a bard, ranger or paladin can sort of get ninths by taking them lock, stock and barrel from another class via these (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm) classes, such as via wizard 8/prestige bard 12, cleric 13/prestige paladin 7 or druid 14/prestige ranger 6.

[KoDT69]

So my original understanding was correct? If a class has it's own spell casting progression, there is no way to get spells higher level than on the given chart?

[Jormengand]

So my original understanding was correct? If a class has it's own spell casting progression, there is no way to get spells higher level than on the given chart?

The improved spell capacity (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/feats.htm#improvedSpellCapacity) feat does this, but is epic-level. I think that a kobold with dragonwrought and sword of the arcane order can get ninth-level wizard spells out of their paladin or ranger slots at 19th level, but that's probably not an intended interaction.

[ATHATH]

So my original understanding was correct? If a class has it's own spell casting progression, there is no way to get spells higher level than on the given chart?
The Eldritch Master PrC can and, IIRC, the Eunuch Warlock PrC can as well. I'm not sure if they conflict with the "I know there are PRC's specifically adding the higher spell levels so exclude those." clause in your OP, though.

[ViperMagnum357]

As noted above, Improved Spell Capacity can get any spellcaster up to 9ths or 10th+, if you want, and qualify for Epic Spellcasting in the bargain. Of course, you would only have 1 slot in each of those levels, and for most classes only be filling them with metamagic'd lower level spells. There are a few exceptions-The Soulreaver prc from Dragon 297 provides a list of actual spells known for an Epic Assassin who takes Improved Spell Capacity, up to 9ths. Nar Demonbinder provides similar spellcasting up to 8ths, and Sublime Chord up to 9ths.

Eldritch Master gets an analogue of Improved Spell Capacity every 3rd level, While Eunuch Warlock gains a weird version every five levels.

[ShurikVch]

Faustian Pact for 9th-level spell slot
Use the Heighten Spell (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/feats.htm#heightenSpell) to cast from that slot
Thus, now you have access to 9th-level spells
Done!

[Eldariel]

There are some shenanigans with Extra Slot and Heighten Spell that enable anyone, even a Commoner, to get 9th level spell slots and spells. Obviously there's a shorter road to travel up if you already have 4th - 6th level ones, such as Ranger or Bard. Detailed listings here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?156931-Challenge-Level-1-Commoner-as-a-God!&p=8753936&viewfull=1#post8753936) and here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?216655-3-5-Best-tier-of-power&p=11921151&viewfull=1#post11921151) for example. Probably not the intended combinations but by the rules they seem to work. There are other variations too but those are the posts outlining it I found in 1 minute.

[Anthrowhale]

Since Sublime Chord chooses from the Bard list so it can easily be thought of as providing 9th level spells on a Bard.

Similarly, Archivist can also be thought of as a Paladin/Ranger with 9th level spell slots.