SLA Question

[Tlorrd]

Do and/or Should SLAs derive their caster level from the class they got the SLA from or class that they have max caster levels in.

For example ... 16/4 Wiz/Cler w/ T4 DD Negative Energy Burst SLA ... is the caster level 4 due to being from cleric tree, or is it (or should it be) 16 since the highest caster level is from Wiz and its a spell like ability rather than an actual spell.

Thanks for your help.

[Enoach]

There are different SLAs and different levels that need to be considered

1st Caster Level
Unless specified different all Class Tree SLAs use the Class Level associated with the Tree to determine caster level

Race Based SLAs as well as Racial Access to Enhancements such as Elf AA use the Character Level for determining Caster Level

This is used for determining things such as Spell Penetration and possible bonus to damage effects which use caster level. There are some SLAs that derive their DCs from Class Levels, they will generally be listed in the description. Example of one off the top of my head is Knock.


2nd Spell Level
Each SLA that has a spell counter part uses the same Spell Level as the spell it is based upon.
If the SLA is not a spell it should have the Spell Level in the description
The Spell Level is used to determine how Meta Feats like Heighten apply to the SLA as well as when it interacts with Mantels that resist spells of a certain level and how it affects spell absorption items.

[unbongwah]

16/4 Wiz/Cler w/ T4 DD Negative Energy Burst SLA ... is the caster level 4 due to being from cleric tree
Yes.

However, caster level bonuses tend to apply to all spells of the same type, not just spells for the class from which the CL bonus comes. E.g., CL bonuses from AoV Intense Faith (http://ddowiki.com/page/Angel_of_Vengeance_enhancements#Tier_Four) affect any "Fire, Force, Light, and Physical damage spells," not just FvS spells. This is the "secret sauce" behind heavily-MCed caster builds like Gold Shiradi (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/462456-The-Gold-Shiradi-Build-Heavy-duty-shiradi-nuker); Intense Faith boosts the sorc & wiz spells - specifically Chain Missile for more missiles and therefore more Shiradi proc chances.

[Tlorrd]

Yes.

However, caster level bonuses tend to apply to all spells of the same type, not just spells for the class from which the CL bonus comes. E.g., CL bonuses from AoV Intense Faith (http://ddowiki.com/page/Angel_of_Vengeance_enhancements#Tier_Four) affect any "Fire, Force, Light, and Physical damage spells," not just FvS spells. This is the "secret sauce" behind heavily-MCed caster builds like Gold Shiradi (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/462456-The-Gold-Shiradi-Build-Heavy-duty-shiradi-nuker); Intense Faith boosts the sorc & wiz spells - specifically Chain Missile for more missiles and therefore more Shiradi proc chances.

That build is bad A$$!