Bugs, news and stuff: [pcgen] PRECLASSLEVEL:SPELLCASTER calculated incorrectly

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

[pcgen] PRECLASSLEVEL:SPELLCASTER calculated incorrectly

PCGen

Tested with 3.5 dataset+homebrew testset

Tested with 6.02.01, 6.04.01, and 6.05.04 latest autobuild.

According to the documentation, PRECLASS:SPELLCASTER=x Checks whether a character has two levels in a spellcasting class.

However, what it actually does is determine the caster level of the class.

homebrew testst uses these feats:

Spellcaster 1 CATEGORY:FEAT TYPE:General DESC:spellcaster level 1 PRECLASS:1,SPELLCASTER=1

Spellcaster 2 CATEGORY:FEAT TYPE:General DESC:spellcaster level 2 PRECLASS:1,SPELLCASTER=2

Spellcaster 3 CATEGORY:FEAT TYPE:General DESC:spellcaster level 3 PRECLASS:1,SPELLCASTER=3

Spellcaster 4 CATEGORY:FEAT TYPE:General DESC:spellcaster level 4 PRECLASS:1,SPELLCASTER=4

A ranger does not meet any of these requirements at level 3 (this is correct)

A ranger should meet all requirements at level 4. However, he only meets the requirements for Spellcaster 1 and Spellcaster 2

Is this a bug?

If not, how should I determine the class level in a spellcasting class?

NB: I need this to qualify an arcane class (hexblade) that uses a similar spellcasting setup as the ranger, but for arcane spells, to qualify for Improved Familiar options.

To be complete, the Improved Familiar SHOULD be available based on class level, not on caster level, according to the 'Arcane Spellcaster level' requirement and this part from the Main 3.5 FAQ:

Does a 1st-level wizard/4th-level rogue with Practiced

Spellcaster qualify for a prestige class that requires

"Spellcaster level 5th"?

No. This prestige class requirement doesn't refer to your

caster level (a value which can be modified by many feats,

class features, and even temporary effects) but to your actual

level in a spellcasting class. (If it helps, you can think of this

requirement as "Spellcaster, 5th level.")

The same applies for characters whose caster level is less

than their class level. A 5th-level paladin meets the "Spellcaster

level 5th) requirement, even though her actual caster level is

only 2nd.

In conclusion:

I would like to have this fixed for Improved Familiar. And I would like to know whether this is a bug or if the documentation is wrong.