Orange Ioun Stone +1 Caster Level

[smetzger]

So, does the Ioun stone only increase your effective caster level when casting a spell or does it grant you all benefits of an increase in caster level (more spells per day and access to higher level spells). Cost is 30,000 gp

I am inclined to say it gives you everything. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[jgsugden]

So, does the Ioun stone only increase your effective caster level when casting a spell or does it grant you all benefits of an increase in caster level (more spells per day and access to higher level spells). Cost is 30,000 gp

I am inclined to say it gives you everything. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Scott

There is a difference between '+1 level of existing spellcasting class' (as many prestige classes grant) and '+1 caster level' (as this stone grants).

Turn to page 305 in your PHB. There is a definition of the term 'caster level'. It is the more restrictive definition.

 

[Li Shenron]

jgsugden is right. +1 caster level is used for spells effects and to overcome SR, but it is not +1 effective level in the caster's class (although the latter includes +1 caster level as well).

As another example, the Archmage, Loremaster and most of the spellcasting PrCl grant +1 effective level (advacing spellcasting ability as by raising the core class level), while the Hierophant PrCl grants only +1 caster level, that is no more spells/day and no higher level spells, but improved spells effects.

edit: kautta shilsenin

 

[shilsen]

jgsugden is right. +1 caster level is used for spells effects and to overcome SR, but it is +1 effective level in the caster's class (although the latter includes +1 caster level as well).

"+1 caster level is used for spells effects and to overcome SR, but it is" NOT "+1 effective level in the caster's class", you mean, right?

 

[Darklone]

Yes. You don't get more spells per day nor spells of higher levels.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Now the inevitable question ... do they stack? (Meaning do the caster level increases from orange Ioun Stones stack?)

 

[jgsugden]

Some people stretch the 'no stacking of bonuses from the same source regardless of bonus type' rule to apply to multiple items that have the same effect. This is questionable, but it prevents abuse.

If you allow these items to stack, the game becomes grossly unbalanced and these little gems become the only powerful item.

Imagine and evil priest with 20 of these little buggers floating around his head casting a blasphemy spell. Vicious.

 

[Scion]

Some people stretch the 'no stacking of bonuses from the same source regardless of bonus type' rule to apply to multiple items that have the same effect. This is questionable, but it prevents abuse.

If you allow these items to stack, the game becomes grossly unbalanced and these little gems become the only powerful item.

Imagine and evil priest with 20 of these little buggers floating around his head casting a blasphemy spell. Vicious.

Personally, I would hope that someone with 600k gp worth of items to help out one thing would make that one thing pretty impressive.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I guess like bonuses don't stack ... but it's not particularly clear.

 

[Xavim]

As far as my memory recalls the only bonuses that stack are dodge bonuses. Everything else uses the highest benefactor.