Shield of Faith

[Hargrove]

Does Shield of Faith work on character level or caster? I could not find this question asked anywhere. It appears to be character, which is awfully nice to dip into. Detect Evil is just as forgiving, but that starkly does not appear to be the case with Divine Favor, and I find that a little confusing.

In a low-powered campaign (sub 3k party career gold at level 6, limit 1 PrC, core only with "maybe exceptions," no fantasy Costco), the difference is pretty big. I got half-plate and feel like I won the lottery.

[spectralphoenix]

Caster Level
A spell’s power often depends on caster level, which is defined as the caster’s class level for the purpose of casting a particular spell. A creature with no classes has a caster level equal to its Hit Dice unless otherwise specified. The word “level” in the spell lists that follow always refers to caster level.

https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spellLists/spellLists.htm (PHB page 181)

Nope, it's your caster level.

[Hargrove]

Wow, interesting. Is it still not true for Detect Evil, because of "more specific beats general" in that it says "character level," or is that spell only very useful to multi-classed characters up to level 9ish?

I'm assuming this means threads excited about the big bonuses for Shield of Faith for multi-classed characters may have been mistaken - I don't see a mitigating factor that gives them the +5.

This also leads me to believe Protection from... is vastly superior to Shield of Faith.

[spectralphoenix]

Yes, the part of Detect Evil that specifically says character level means character level. Note that your character level includes racial hit dice but not LA.

I can't speak to whatever threads you've read, but I don't think dipping full spellcasting classes is very common unless qualifying for a prestige class, maybe.

Protection is better at level 1 if you're fighting opponents of the right alignment. It won't do anything against animals, golems, or other neutrals.

[Crake]

https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spellLists/spellLists.htm (PHB page 181)

Nope, it's your caster level.

Well now, see, looking at the spell shield of faith, it never actually says caster level anywhere, just "level".

[spectralphoenix]

Well now, see, looking at the spell shield of faith, it never actually says caster level anywhere, just "level".

And in the passage I posted: "The word “level” in the spell lists that follow always refers to caster level."

[Crake]

And in the passage I posted: "The word “level” in the spell lists that follow always refers to caster level."

Ah truetrue, fair call.

[Hargrove]

Yes, the part of Detect Evil that specifically says character level means character level. Note that your character level includes racial hit dice but not LA.

I can't speak to whatever threads you've read, but I don't think dipping full spellcasting classes is very common unless qualifying for a prestige class, maybe.

Protection is better at level 1 if you're fighting opponents of the right alignment. It won't do anything against animals, golems, or other neutrals.

Very low power campaign - prob max level 9 or 10, sub 3k party gold at level six, one magic weapon in the party, 1 max PrC/char, core books only "maybe exceptions," no fantasy Costco. I'm dipping (or rather changing over to) Favored Soul as it fits the RP perfectly and unlocks several "stuck" parts for frustrated fighter (light, endure elements, comprehend languages, read magic, detect magic, will save).

He's going to fight like a fighter who can do magical research and give himself buffs now.