What Determines Spell Failure Rate?

[Kooltone]

I see that my spell failure rate gets better over time, but I'm not able to determine if that is through spell use or from leveling up. Does leveling up auto improve the failure rate? Does spamming a spell have any effect?

[sffp]

I see that my spell failure rate gets better over time, but I'm not able to determine if that is through spell use or from leveling up. Does leveling up auto improve the failure rate? Does spamming a spell have any effect?

mostly @ level
intel/wisdom help depending on class
for Necs, being in the dark matters (don't carry a light source)

usage has no effect

[Sky]

INT or WIS depending on class give you a bonus; otherwise it's based on spell level and character level.
Fear gives you a penalty, so does Stun.

[Kooltone]

That's good to know. I assumed it would get better with spell use. There have been many times I've wasted mana on Dispel Evil thinking it was the only way to make it better.

[Cryomaniac]

If you're playing other *bands aside from vanilla, remember that several variants (like Heng and its offshoots) can have spell failure rate decrease as you cast the spell over and over.