Increase my "caster level" at all? preferably +10.

[Kasz]

So... I was re-reading insidious magic due to a different thread and I had the beginnings of an idea.

Based on:

When a Weave user employs a divination spell, spell-like ability, or magic item (such as detect magic) that may detect the magical aura of one of your spells, the Weave user must make a level check (DC 11 + your caster level) to successfully detect your spells.

Now, if a level 15 Illusionist didn't lose any CL, that's 11+15, so 26. If a level 15 Cleric casts True Seeing to see past the illusions, he needs to roll 26, with a +15, he needs 11. Simple.

If I could boost my "caster level" for the purposes of this check, my odds of fooling the divination increase. If I get +10, I'd set the DC at 36, impossible for a 15+d20 roll. Obviously if he's higher level he has a chance of seeing through them... but it's still nice.

Do any "dirty tricks" spring to mind? Or even simple stuff I've just not thought of...
I assume Circle Magic would work... but I'm not much of a red wizard.

[Rebel7284]

Shadowcraft Mage with Earth Spell can get a nice +9 caster level when emulating conjunction/evocation spells.

[Amechra]

Well, we have some fun, non-standard ways...

Primitive Caster: +1 CL per extra component (V, S, or M) that you add to the spell; the components are specific, though. Still, Silent Image (shadowcraft mage standby) gets +1 from this, more if you have some cheap way of Silencing and Stilling the spell (just add the components afterwards!)

Elder Giant Magic: Get +1 to your caster level for every extra round you spend casting the spell; up to 3 rounds. Kinda sucks, though it is excellent for morning buffs. A Shadowcraft Mage imitating a Summon Monster spell could extend their casting time to the standard 1 round to get +1 CL, though.

Dark Speech: Incorporate Dark Speech into the Verbal Component of the spell to get +1 CL. Fun with Primitive Spellcaster, since you can get +2 CL out of adding a verbal component. You do take 1d4 Charisma damage, though, so better have an immunity lined up! (Planar Touchstone: Catalogues of Enlightenment (Pleasure Domain)).

Reserves of Strength: This one I don't even need to link.

Arcane Thesis: Restricted, but nice.

Spell Thematics adds +1 CL to 9 spells of your choice, and makes the spell harder to recognize.

If you can give the spell the [Fire] Descriptor somehow, there are a ton of ways to get quick CL increases there (Bloodline of Fire giving a +2 comes to mind...)

[Rebel7284]

There is also Practiced Spellcaster + Inspire {whichever one gives temporary HD}

[Nanshork]

I can get at least +2/3 CL (plus other bonuses) from Snow Casting shenanigans but that involves a lot of investment.

[Rebel7284]

Isn't there a swift action 4th level spell as well that increases the caster level of the NEXT spell by 2?

[awaken_D_M_golem]

The check is based on Spellcraft-like rules.

If so, you could make a Spellcraft bonus item
and have it affect Only the Detect part, and
get a decent sized discount on the limited use.

[Gazzien]

Ioun Stone? I think the Orange one gave +1 CL...

[ksbsnowowl]

Limited Wish -> Consumptive Field (plus a lot of sacrificial mooks/animals) can up your caster level by 50% for rounds per level.

Any other random +1 caster level you can add, plus consumptive field, can get your CL up to 24.  That makes for a DC 35 CL check.  Your 15th level cleric opponent has a 5% chance for his True Seeing to work.  Get any one other +1 CL boost, and he cannot succeed.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

Other than consumptive field, its not trivial to gain CL.

But isn't this only useful (for hiding illusions) against weave-users? Pretty limited. I'm probably missing something though.

[Rebel7284]

Other than consumptive field, its not trivial to gain CL.

But isn't this only useful (for hiding illusions) against weave-users? Pretty limited. I'm probably missing something though.

Well by default, MOST spellcasters in faerun are weave-users from what I hear so it's useful against all divination AND as usual dispel checks.

[Nytemare3701]

Other than consumptive field, its not trivial to gain CL.

But isn't this only useful (for hiding illusions) against weave-users? Pretty limited. I'm probably missing something though.

Well by default, MOST spellcasters in faerun are weave-users from what I hear so it's useful against all divination AND as usual dispel checks.

The weave is the "default" in faerun, and in cross-setting games, IIRC it's treated as default as well for relevant casters.

[Kasz]

For a Shadowcraft Mage, being able to beat true seeing and have his illusions "confirmed" as real by an enemy with true seeing, whilst able to throw out more quasireal than real (100%+) illusions and invisible illusions... dear god does it mindfuck enemies.

[Mithril Leaf]

If you can snag a rank or so of UMD (or fake it well enough, mule's enlightenment -> open minded for temporary ranks gives you 5) and get a quick booster, you can fake casting divine spells for Prayer Beads.

[Kasz]

Where is Mule's Enlightenment? Can't find it through Google.

[Brassthorn]

Isn't there a swift action 4th level spell as well that increases the caster level of the NEXT spell by 2?

Mystic Surge, PH II

[Brassthorn]

Also, you can can a +1 insight bonus on caster level for spells cast from a staff, or through a metamagic rod by binding your chakra appropriately.

Magic of Incarnum, p 109

[Ithamar]

Isn't there a swift action 4th level spell as well that increases the caster level of the NEXT spell by 2?

Mystic Surge, PH II

Actuall what you're thinking of is Spell Enhancer from SpC.  Mystic Surge is kind of crap in comparison.

[Brassthorn]

Isn't there a swift action 4th level spell as well that increases the caster level of the NEXT spell by 2?

Mystic Surge, PH II

Actually what you're thinking of is Spell Enhancer from SpC.  Mystic Surge is kind of crap in comparison.

I think you're right. But it looks like you can use both together.

[Rebel7284]

Actuall what you're thinking of is Spell Enhancer from SpC.  Mystic Surge is kind of crap in comparison.

Yeah, that's the one.