I am building a mystic theurge, and as such my starting levels are going to be alternating between cleric and wizard. I do not want to miss out on taking the Craft Wondrous Items feat at the first chance I can take it (and possibly struggle to retrain or get delayed in crafting). The requirement is caster level 3rd.
Is it possible to take the feat at 3rd level when neither class individually meets the requirements, but collectively do?
I know I asked in a past question about stacking caster levels from different classes as if it were skill points or BAB for casting spells, but this is different. This is a requirement for a feat which is not the same thing as casting a spell.
Best Answer
Caster Levels do not stack
(sorry!)
From the CRB section on magic (caster level):
Caster Level (CL) is associated with the casting ability in each spellcasting class. A multi-classed spellcaster has multiple Caster Levels. Caster Levels do not transfer from class to class nor are they additive. So, a Wiz2/Clr1 has CL2 in the wizard class and CL1 in the Cleric class, he is not a CL3 in any class and does not qualify for Craft Wondrous Item.
Workarounds
A Note on Mystic Theurge Progression
Once you do pick up Mystic Theurge (whoo!), there is the caveat that the Caster Levels from Wizard and Cleric still do not stack, but they do stack with Mystic Theurge levels:
So, a Clr3/Wiz3/MT1 would qualify for things requiring: Caster level 4, Arcane caster level 4, and Divine caster level 4. You can add your variables, like Magical Knack or items, to this base.