Maximum caster level with epic destinies

[nivarch]

Hi,

I recently unshelved my water savant sorcerer and started working on gearing her up. I initially planned to make her a 3 pieces abishai set for the +3 caster level to evocation spells, when I realized that it may be useless considering destinies already provide +5 caster level.

The only evocation spell that really seems to benefit from increased CL past 20 is polar ray.

Caster level calculations:
Base caster level 20
Epic destiny 5
White dragon heritage 3
Water savant 6
Epic abishai set 3
Arcane augmentation 2
= 39 CL

Maximum caster level:
Base MCL for polar ray 25
White dragon heritage 3
Water savant 3
Water savant ToD set 2
= 33 MCL

So even with water savant set, it seems the maximum useful caster level is 33, and therefore any bonus past this including abishai and arcane augmentation, is pointless.

Did I miss anything?

[MrCow]

Caster Level still has importance for spell durations (such as Haste, Cloudkill, etc.) and Spell Penetration.

Also, the various abilities from Epic Destinies shouldn't be capped on a Caster Level, such as Energy Burst or Avenging Light, so equipment and prestige modifiers to Caster Level are useful for bolstering those abilities.

[Jaid314]

Caster Level still has importance for spell durations (such as Haste, Cloudkill, etc.) and Spell Penetration.

Also, the various abilities from Epic Destinies shouldn't be capped on a Caster Level, such as Energy Burst or Avenging Light, so equipment and prestige modifiers to Caster Level are useful for bolstering those abilities.

last i heard, all draconic incarnation abilities are currently character level based. any word on that having changed?

[nivarch]

last i heard, all draconic incarnation abilities are currently character level based. any word on that having changed?

They all say caster level, always assumed it was character level however... Need to test that (unless MrCow already tested)

Caster Level still has importance for spell durations (such as Haste, Cloudkill, etc.) and Spell Penetration.

Abishai set is only evocation spell. So no effect on any buff as far as I know (except fire shield I guess...) and clouds spells seem to be all conjuration.
Arcane augmentation on the other hand is still useful for buffs true.

[MrCow]

last i heard, all draconic incarnation abilities are currently character level based. any word on that having changed?

The Draconic Incarnation abilities are equal to Character Level + Enhancement Modifiers (Druid Season's Herald, Druid Elemental Forms, Sorcerer Elemental Savant, etc.) + Item Modifiers (Arcane Augmentation, Lesser Evocation Augmentation IX, etc.).

They are a looser form of Caster Level (being based mostly on character level instead of arcane caster level), but it is still a Caster Level.

[nivarch]

The Draconic Incarnation abilities are equal to Character Level + Enhancement Modifiers (Druid Season's Herald, Druid Elemental Forms, Sorcerer Elemental Savant, etc.) + Item Modifiers (Arcane Augmentation, Lesser Evocation Augmentation IX, etc.).

They are a looser form of Caster Level (being based mostly on character level instead of arcane caster level), but it is still a Caster Level.

Nice to know thanks!
Do you know if +3 abishai evocation CL works on them then?

[MrCow]

Do you know if +3 abishai evocation CL works on them then?

I don't readily possess this set bonus to check, but the Lesser Might of the Abishai and Lesser Evocation Augmentation IX do, so I would imaging this would work on the bulk of the Draconic Incarnation abilities as well.

[nivarch]

I don't readily possess this set bonus to check, but the Lesser Might of the Abishai and Lesser Evocation Augmentation IX do, so I would imaging this would work on the bulk of the Draconic Incarnation abilities as well.

Didn't see you noticed Evocation Augmentation.
Well loads of great information, thanks MrCow! Still need to consider whether it's worth using 3 inventory slots for unimpressive items just to get +3CL.
That's about a 8% increase with max gear, which is not bad (and I don't have arcane augmentation so a bit more than that).

[scoobmx]

Have you checked whether draconic MCL stacks with magister MCL if you twist it in?

[MrCow]

Have you checked whether draconic MCL stacks with magister MCL if you twist it in?

My current character that is pursuing Epic Destinies does not have Magister high enough yet to check, but I'll report my findings if I recently do.

[Missing_Minds]

Caster Level still has importance for spell durations (such as Haste, Cloudkill, etc.) and Spell Penetration.

As well as ablative spells such as Protection from Energy and Stoneskin.

Did the cap on heal/harm get removed? I can't remember, but I swear some cap got chang on the heal/cures style spells also. I could be wrong.

[scoobmx]

As well as ablative spells such as Protection from Energy and Stoneskin.

Did the cap on heal/harm get removed? I can't remember, but I swear some cap got chang on the heal/cures style spells also. I could be wrong.

Not sure if any caps got changed but the mass repair critical cap is extremely high, like CL40

[MrCow]

Have you checked whether draconic MCL stacks with magister MCL if you twist it in?

Yes, they do. However, be aware that twisting Draconic Spell Knowledge is buggy and you may only get the benefit of Tier I Draconic Spell Knowledge when used as a twist.