Cantrip scaling with levels

[Phhase]

The descriptions of damaging cantrips state that the cantrip scales in damage with the level of the caster. Does this mean your overall level, similar to proficiency score, or your level in the spellcasting class that you access said cantrip though? RAI makes me think the latter, but the former sure would be convenient. Is there an official ruling? What do people think?

[PhoenixPhyre]

The descriptions of damaging cantrips state that the cantrip scales in damage with the level of the caster. Does this mean your overall level, similar to proficiency score, or your level in the spellcasting class that you access said cantrip though? RAI makes me think the latter, but the former sure would be convenient. Is there an official ruling? What do people think?

Overall level. Both RAI and RAW. And word of dev.

The easy way to tell is look where the "level scaling" is defined. Is it defined in the class section? Then it means class level. Is it elsewhere? Then it's character level. Because you can get cantrips without ever having a level in a spell-casting class. Or having levels in a spell-casting class that doesn't have access to that cantrip. Just being a high elf is enough.

The intent for cantrips is that they're always useful. You are a high elf who picked up firebolt as their wizard cantrip? If it didn't scale, it would be useless even at level 1! (a light crossbow deals more damage as long as your DEX isn't horrible, and scales better).

[Phhase]

Overall level. Both RAI and RAW. And word of dev.

The easy way to tell is look where the "level scaling" is defined. Is it defined in the class section? Then it means class level. Is it elsewhere? Then it's character level. Because you can get cantrips without ever having a level in a spell-casting class. Or having levels in a spell-casting class that doesn't have access to that cantrip. Just being a high elf is enough.

The intent for cantrips is that they're always useful. You are a high elf who picked up firebolt as their wizard cantrip? If it didn't scale, it would be useless even at level 1! (a light crossbow deals more damage as long as your DEX isn't horrible, and scales better).

Oh, nice! Good to know, thanks.