Maximum caster level

Maximum caster level
Many spells are subject to a maximum caster level (MCL). The part of the spell that scales by caster level will no longer scale when the maximum caster level is reached or exceeded, whether through the character's caster level exceeding the MCL or caster level increasing effects pushing the caster level of the spell past the MCL.

It's important to distinguish spell level from caster level and caster level from maximum caster level.

Some general notes:
 * The duration of spells is usually not limited by a maximum caster level.
 * Some damage absorption spells have a maximum caster level (Protection from Energy / Elements), and some do not (Stoneskin).
 * Certain spells add the caster level to a roll, which is different than a standard save DC. Some have a maximum caster level (Dispel Magic, Greater Dispel Magic) and some do not (Knock, Mordenkainen's Disjunction).

Maximum caster level is sometimes displayed in spell description. If you have effects that increase your max CL (see below), the description is not updated; game does not display this information anywhere.

Increasing maximum caster level
A few effects can increase the maximum caster level of spells (and SLAs).


 * Class abilities
 * Artificer Constructive Conduit: +6 for curative admixture spells
 * Artificer Knowledge Potions: +2 for curative admixture spells
 * Artificer Mastermaker: no cap for Repair spells
 * Cleric Cure Focus T5: no cap for Cure spells
 * Cleric Divine Empowerment T5: +1 MCL to Light, Negative Energy, and Fire spells
 * Cleric Transcendence capstone: +1 MCL to Light, Negative Energy, and Fire spells
 * Druid Seasons' Herald core abilities: +1 MCL to seasonal element spells at tier 3, +2 at tier 6, total of +3
 * FvS Angel of Vengeance enhancements - each core ability: +2 MCL with Nimbus of Light, Searing Light, Sun Bolt, Cometfall, Divine Punishment, Flame Strike, and Fire Storm.
 * FvS Zealous Faith T5: +1/2/3 to MCL of Fire, Force, Light, and Physical damage spells
 * Sorcerer Air / Earth / Fire / Water Savant core abilities: +1 MCL to element type in cores 5 and 6, for a total of +2; plus an additional +1 MCL when in elemental form


 * Racial abilities
 * Dragonborn Draconic Knowledge: +2 MCL to chosen element


 * Epic abilities
 * Dragon Spell Knowledge: +1/2/3 MCL to chosen elemental spells
 * Secondary Spell Specialty: +1/2 MCL to second type of elemental spells
 * Master of (Spell School) : +1/2/3 MCL to chosen school spells
 * Master of ... epic feats: +10 to MCL of selected spells

A few spells are (probably incorrectly) not affected by MCL increasing effects - notably Eladar's Electric Surge and Niac's Biting Cold, forever stuck at MCL 20.

Sorcerer/Wizard spells with maximum caster level
Only spells that are limited in some part to a maximum caster level (most commonly spell damage) are listed, unless the absence of a MCL is notable.

Cleric/Favored Soul spells with maximum caster level
Only spells that are limited in some part to a maximum caster level (most commonly spell damage) are listed, unless the absence of a MCL is notable.

Only spells not on the Sorcerer/Wizard list are listed, as spells shared with the Sorcerer/Wizard count as "Arcane" when cast by Clerics/Favored Souls, notably for effects like Arcane Augmentation.