(Edit: Question was well answered. But if others need to understand this, read on.)
My apologies if this has been answered before, I searched and failed my investigation check. Am I reading this correctly?
"If you have more than one spellcasting class, this table might give you spell slots of a level that is higher than the spells you know or can prepare. You can use those slots, but only to cast your lower-level spells. If a lower-level spell that you cast, like burning hands, has an enhanced effect when cast using a higher-level slot, you can use the enhanced effect, even though you don't have any spells of that higher level."
I only discovered it after multiclassing with my 4th level Artificer and dipped into 1 level of Forge Domain Cleric. I saw I had the option to cast 2nd level spells (or technically benefit from the second level casting while only using a 1st level spell slot.) I thought it was a mistake to report but then read the above rule in the PHB...I could use some clarification or explanation on the "why?" I would understand if I would be allowed to use 2nd level spells, since a 5th level Artificer has 2nd level spell slots (which is not the case as far as the rules are concerned) but please help me understand, thank you!
It means you can cast your first-level spells with a second-level spell slot. Lots of spells are more powerful when cast using a higher level slot. You don't know/can't prepare and second-level spells because you're not a 5th-level artificer or a 3rd-level cleric. Artificer is a ½ caster and cleric is a full caster. There's a formula in the multiclassing rules to determine your overall caster level for the purpose of spell slots. It's something like half of your ½ caster levels + full caster levels. Round down each product before adding together. If you're level 4 with three artificer levels and one level of cleric then 0.5*3(for artificer)+1*1(for cleric) = 2
The purpose of the rule is to prevent situations where a 19th-level cleric takes a level of wizard and now has access to wish because of the 9th-level spell slots. It also makes multiclassing easier when dealing with the pure caster classes.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
It means you can cast your first-level spells with a second-level spell slot. Lots of spells are more powerful when cast using a higher level slot. You don't know/can't prepare and second-level spells because you're not a 5th-level artificer or a 3rd-level cleric. Artificer is a ½ caster and cleric is a full caster. There's a formula in the multiclassing rules to determine your overall caster level for the purpose of spell slots. It's something like half of your ½ caster levels + full caster levels. Round down each product before adding together. If you're level 4 with three artificer levels and one level of cleric then 0.5*3(for artificer)+1*1(for cleric) = 2
The purpose of the rule is to prevent situations where a 19th-level cleric takes a level of wizard and now has access to wish because of the 9th-level spell slots. It also makes multiclassing easier when dealing with the pure caster classes.
Artificer specifically says that you round up for your caster levels when determining spell slots, but Paladin and Ranger are round down. The difference is artificer normally gets higher level spell slots on odd levels while the others get them on even levels. Otherwise, spot on.
Both classes are prepared casters and have spells automatically prepared. DNDBEYOND doesn't put the second level automatically prepared spells on your list of spells you can cast with the OPs build. At Artificer 5, Cleric 1, it does add the 2nd level Artificer spells that are automatically prepared and that's when Artificer would normally get 2nd level spells.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots. Artificer 4 is only giving 2 levels to determine spell slots (a third at level 5, unlike Paladin and Ranger which would be at level 6) and Cleric gives 1 for a total of 3. As a third level multiclass spellcaster, you have 4 first level spell slots and 2 second level spell slots but neither Artificer 4 nor Cleric 1 can prepare 2nd level spells. Thus you can upcast your Searing Smite from Forge domain to deal 2d6 damage on the next melee strike (plus the weapon's normal damage) as a 2nd level spell instead of the 1d6 normally dealt as a first level spell.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
It means you can cast your first-level spells with a second-level spell slot. Lots of spells are more powerful when cast using a higher level slot. You don't know/can't prepare and second-level spells because you're not a 5th-level artificer or a 3rd-level cleric. Artificer is a ½ caster and cleric is a full caster. There's a formula in the multiclassing rules to determine your overall caster level for the purpose of spell slots. It's something like half of your ½ caster levels + full caster levels. Round down each product before adding together. If you're level 4 with three artificer levels and one level of cleric then 0.5*3(for artificer)+1*1(for cleric) = 2
The purpose of the rule is to prevent situations where a 19th-level cleric takes a level of wizard and now has access to wish because of the 9th-level spell slots. It also makes multiclassing easier when dealing with the pure caster classes.
Artificer specifically says that you round up for your caster levels when determining spell slots, but Paladin and Ranger are round down. The difference is artificer normally gets higher level spell slots on odd levels while the others get them on even levels. Otherwise, spot on.
Both classes are prepared casters and have spells automatically prepared. DNDBEYOND doesn't put the second level automatically prepared spells on your list of spells you can cast with the OPs build. At Artificer 5, Cleric 1, it does add the 2nd level Artificer spells that are automatically prepared and that's when Artificer would normally get 2nd level spells.
Ok I think you all explained it well but to make sure I got this: I am 4th level Artificer with 1 level of Cleric I am giving 4-1st level spell slots and 2-2nd level spell slots to cast...but if I understand correctly: although I am unable to have 2nd level spells, (Which you gain as a 5th level Artificer) I am able to have 2nd level spell slots to cast 1st level spells at 2nd level. (If they have the feature like Cure Wounds.) Sounds logical. Took me a second to understand until I looked at my charatcer sheet again. Thanks.
1) KNOW/PREPARE a ton of low level spells. In particular, they get lots of cantrips and 1st level spells. If you are unhappy with the limited spell selection, multi class is the answer.
2) Upcast a lot of spells. If you love upcasting spells (some of them are great - Bestow Curse loses it's concentration!) then Multi-class is the way to go.
3) Never be able to cast the best spells as they are always a level or more behind the rest of the party with regards to high level spells.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
as a matter of fact an artificer is a 2 /3rds caster and it states that you add half your levels rounded UP this means that a level 4 cleric/ level 1 artificer would have 2 3rd level slots, 3 2nd level slots and 4 1st level slots
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“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
as a matter of fact an artificer is a 2 /3rds caster and it states that you add half your levels rounded UP this means that a level 4 cleric/ level 1 artificer would have 2 3rd level slots, 3 2nd level slots and 4 1st level slots
If it was a 2/3rds caster, it would be a level 4 caster at 6th level. It's a level 3 caster and is therefore a half caster. A two thirds caster doesn't exist in the game at the moment and probably won't since you would have to divide your level by 3 and then multiply by 2 before rounding. I doubt WotC wants people to perform that many operations just to figure out their spellcasting level when multiclassing.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
as a matter of fact an artificer is a 2 /3rds caster and it states that you add half your levels rounded UP this means that a level 4 cleric/ level 1 artificer would have 2 3rd level slots, 3 2nd level slots and 4 1st level slots
If it was a 2/3rds caster, it would be a level 4 caster at 6th level. It's a level 3 caster and is therefore a half caster. A two thirds caster doesn't exist in the game at the moment and probably won't since you would have to divide your level by 3 and then multiply by 2 before rounding. I doubt WotC wants people to perform that many operations just to figure out their spellcasting level when multiclassing.
Actually i looked into this and as amgonnayeet said, it does specifically state rounded up, so 1 artificer/4 cleric will actually allow for two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. The UA version was originally rounded down, but the official Erftlw version says rounded up.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
as a matter of fact an artificer is a 2 /3rds caster and it states that you add half your levels rounded UP this means that a level 4 cleric/ level 1 artificer would have 2 3rd level slots, 3 2nd level slots and 4 1st level slots
If it was a 2/3rds caster, it would be a level 4 caster at 6th level. It's a level 3 caster and is therefore a half caster. A two thirds caster doesn't exist in the game at the moment and probably won't since you would have to divide your level by 3 and then multiply by 2 before rounding. I doubt WotC wants people to perform that many operations just to figure out their spellcasting level when multiclassing.
Actually i looked into this and as amgonnayeet said, it does specifically state rounded up, so 1 artificer/4 cleric will actually allow for two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. The UA version was originally rounded down, but the official Erftlw version says rounded up.
I'm not saying that it wasn't rounded up. I'm saying it's a half caster rounded up. You'll get your new slots every odd Artificer level instead of every even Artificer level like Paladin and Ranger. If it was a 2/3rds career, you would have new slots 2 out of every 3 levels, not just between 1 and 3. Case in point, you don't get new slots at level 4. The fact that it says that you add half your levels confirms that it is a half caster. Rounding up vs Rounding down just changes when you get your slots, but all half casters have the same number of slots on even levels.
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(Edit: Question was well answered. But if others need to understand this, read on.)
My apologies if this has been answered before, I searched and failed my investigation check. Am I reading this correctly?
"If you have more than one spellcasting class, this table might give you spell slots of a level that is higher than the spells you know or can prepare. You can use those slots, but only to cast your lower-level spells. If a lower-level spell that you cast, like burning hands, has an enhanced effect when cast using a higher-level slot, you can use the enhanced effect, even though you don't have any spells of that higher level."
I only discovered it after multiclassing with my 4th level Artificer and dipped into 1 level of Forge Domain Cleric. I saw I had the option to cast 2nd level spells (or technically benefit from the second level casting while only using a 1st level spell slot.) I thought it was a mistake to report but then read the above rule in the PHB...I could use some clarification or explanation on the "why?" I would understand if I would be allowed to use 2nd level spells, since a 5th level Artificer has 2nd level spell slots (which is not the case as far as the rules are concerned) but please help me understand, thank you!
It means you can cast your first-level spells with a second-level spell slot. Lots of spells are more powerful when cast using a higher level slot. You don't know/can't prepare and second-level spells because you're not a 5th-level artificer or a 3rd-level cleric. Artificer is a ½ caster and cleric is a full caster. There's a formula in the multiclassing rules to determine your overall caster level for the purpose of spell slots. It's something like half of your ½ caster levels + full caster levels. Round down each product before adding together. If you're level 4 with three artificer levels and one level of cleric then 0.5*3(for artificer)+1*1(for cleric) = 2
The purpose of the rule is to prevent situations where a 19th-level cleric takes a level of wizard and now has access to wish because of the 9th-level spell slots. It also makes multiclassing easier when dealing with the pure caster classes.
So given the aforementioned multiclass spell slot table (detailed in the phb), with 4 levels in artificer and 1 level in cleric, you would have a total of two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. All that this is saying is that the table might give you higher level slots than the level of spells that you know and can prepare (so in this case, those two 3rd level slots). So, you can now cast spells that you know from either spell list using those 3rd level slots. For example, if you were to cast the guiding bolt spell from the cleric spell list, you would be able to cast it using one of the 3rd level slots, allowing it's damage to be increased by 2d6.
Artificer specifically says that you round up for your caster levels when determining spell slots, but Paladin and Ranger are round down. The difference is artificer normally gets higher level spell slots on odd levels while the others get them on even levels. Otherwise, spot on.
Both classes are prepared casters and have spells automatically prepared. DNDBEYOND doesn't put the second level automatically prepared spells on your list of spells you can cast with the OPs build. At Artificer 5, Cleric 1, it does add the 2nd level Artificer spells that are automatically prepared and that's when Artificer would normally get 2nd level spells.
Artificer is a half caster, so no 3rd level slots. Artificer 4 is only giving 2 levels to determine spell slots (a third at level 5, unlike Paladin and Ranger which would be at level 6) and Cleric gives 1 for a total of 3. As a third level multiclass spellcaster, you have 4 first level spell slots and 2 second level spell slots but neither Artificer 4 nor Cleric 1 can prepare 2nd level spells. Thus you can upcast your Searing Smite from Forge domain to deal 2d6 damage on the next melee strike (plus the weapon's normal damage) as a 2nd level spell instead of the 1d6 normally dealt as a first level spell.
Oh I totally missed that! So no 3rd level slots at your current level unfortunately.
Ok I think you all explained it well but to make sure I got this: I am 4th level Artificer with 1 level of Cleric I am giving 4-1st level spell slots and 2-2nd level spell slots to cast...but if I understand correctly: although I am unable to have 2nd level spells, (Which you gain as a 5th level Artificer) I am able to have 2nd level spell slots to cast 1st level spells at 2nd level. (If they have the feature like Cure Wounds.) Sounds logical. Took me a second to understand until I looked at my charatcer sheet again. Thanks.
Yes.
Multi classers tend to:
1) KNOW/PREPARE a ton of low level spells. In particular, they get lots of cantrips and 1st level spells. If you are unhappy with the limited spell selection, multi class is the answer.
2) Upcast a lot of spells. If you love upcasting spells (some of them are great - Bestow Curse loses it's concentration!) then Multi-class is the way to go.
3) Never be able to cast the best spells as they are always a level or more behind the rest of the party with regards to high level spells.
as a matter of fact an artificer is a 2 /3rds caster and it states that you add half your levels rounded UP this means that a level 4 cleric/ level 1 artificer would have 2 3rd level slots, 3 2nd level slots and 4 1st level slots
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
If it was a 2/3rds caster, it would be a level 4 caster at 6th level. It's a level 3 caster and is therefore a half caster. A two thirds caster doesn't exist in the game at the moment and probably won't since you would have to divide your level by 3 and then multiply by 2 before rounding. I doubt WotC wants people to perform that many operations just to figure out their spellcasting level when multiclassing.
Actually i looked into this and as amgonnayeet said, it does specifically state rounded up, so 1 artificer/4 cleric will actually allow for two 3rd level slots, three 2nd level slots and four 1st level slots. The UA version was originally rounded down, but the official Erftlw version says rounded up.
I'm not saying that it wasn't rounded up. I'm saying it's a half caster rounded up. You'll get your new slots every odd Artificer level instead of every even Artificer level like Paladin and Ranger. If it was a 2/3rds career, you would have new slots 2 out of every 3 levels, not just between 1 and 3. Case in point, you don't get new slots at level 4. The fact that it says that you add half your levels confirms that it is a half caster. Rounding up vs Rounding down just changes when you get your slots, but all half casters have the same number of slots on even levels.