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Thurbane
2011-02-04, 01:54 AM
I thought I'd create a new thread, after this question in the Q&A:


Q 093

Is it possible to get an "arcane caster level" with an SLA, without being an arcane caster? Specifically, the Sand Shaper PrC lists as a prereq "Spells or Spell-Like Abilities: Arcane caster level 5th." - wondering how this would be possible. I thought SLAs were generally neither arcane nor divine, and AFAIK did not grant a "caster level".

A 93
Arcane Caster Level is different than Arcane Spellcaster Level. The first is the Caster level for Arcane SLA's, the second is the total of levels in an Arcane Spellcasting class and effective levels from PrC's.

A Warlock would have an Arcane Caster level.

A 093 cont.

Thanks for the clarification. Is there any way other than Warlock (or DFA) to qualify? Ideally, as a divine caster with an innate SLA.

A 93
Several. Too many to qualify for this thread. Vampires have a CL5 Gaseous Form ability, for example -- too bad about the LA+8. If you start a new thread I'll try to dig up some more..
dextercorvia suggested Duergar, who indeed do fit: the problem is that I was looking for a Favored Soul to get into Sand Shaper, but the hit to CHA is just plain nasty.

Any suggestions?

Coidzor
2011-02-04, 02:01 AM
So relatively low LA/RHD, a SLA of CL 5+ (or one that scales with HD), and without a penalty to CHA....

Nothing's springing to mind immediately. Maybe some of the weaker fey? Gloura comes with innate bard casting and some SLAs which would take care of it, but are like, ECL 11 with something like 7 RHD like dryads...

Half-Fey would probably take care of it, but then, Half-Fey...

Dusk Eclipse
2011-02-04, 02:01 AM
Magical training and practiced spellcaster?

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2011-02-04, 02:04 AM
Aasimar get Daylight as a spell-like ability, though it doesn't specify whether it's considered arcane or divine, just that the caster level is equal to your total class levels. Luckily, Spell-Like Abilities (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellLikeAbilities) in general "are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions," therefore it would be used at an arcane caster level. You could use Lesser Aasimar from the back of PGtF (humanoid creature type, still vulnerable to attacks which specifically affect outsiders, +0 LA) or the Savage Progression Aasimar (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a) (which starts at +0 LA and can wait until it hits level one million before spending a level (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a) on the rest of the racial qualities) and you won't have any level adjustment at all.

Thurbane
2011-02-04, 02:05 AM
Hmm, I guess a good argument could be made for Aasimar...

Coidzor
2011-02-04, 02:12 AM
Feytouched has a similar situation with its Charm Person SLA based on character level. And having a LA+0 online version. Trades +2 Dex for -2 Con though :/

faceroll
2011-02-04, 03:31 AM
It's 3.0 dragon content, but Magic-Blooded and many of the environmental racial variant templates have 0 or 1st level SLAs cast at character level. Most are LA 0.

Abemad
2011-02-04, 03:55 AM
How about one of the spell feats from complete arcane (spell hand f.x) coupled with practiced spellcaster feat?

dextercorvia
2011-02-04, 11:54 AM
Kobolds get one of your choice from the Draconic Rite of Passage. Lesser Aasimar is probably a better choice if you are going for a melee based Favored Soul.

@Dusk Eclipse, Abemad -- Practiced Spellcaster doesn't work here because it requires you to "choose a spellcasting class to which you belong".

Stegyre
2011-02-04, 03:05 PM
It's not a perfect fit, but I'm surprised no one's mentioned it yet: Least + Lesser Dragonmark (from ECS) will give you CL 6 for your dragonmark SLAs.

(I'm not at all familiar with the Sandshaper PrC, so I don't know whether this will do.)

Grim Reader
2011-02-07, 06:55 AM
Aasimar get Daylight as a spell-like ability, though it doesn't specify whether it's considered arcane or divine, just that the caster level is equal to your total class levels. Luckily, Spell-Like Abilities (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#spellLikeAbilities) in general "are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions," therefore it would be used at an arcane caster level. You could use Lesser Aasimar from the back of PGtF (humanoid creature type, still vulnerable to attacks which specifically affect outsiders, +0 LA) or the Savage Progression Aasimar (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a) (which starts at +0 LA and can wait until it hits level one million before spending a level (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a) on the rest of the racial qualities) and you won't have any level adjustment at all.

+1. Lesser Aasimar is +2 Cha and Wis, perfect for Favored Soul from both mechanics and flavor. It has a Light ability that defaults to character level.

Kaww
2011-02-07, 07:22 AM
Kobolds get one of your choice from the Draconic Rite of Passage. Lesser Aasimar is probably a better choice if you are going for a melee based Favored Soul.


+1 kobold - dragonwrought increases cha, int and wis. No LA, but you lose a feat. You also get +3 AC (small, dex and natural).