Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Warforged Goblin 08-15-07, 09:42 AM	I'm playing an artificer on the cusp of 6th level. I was thinking about taking Heighten Spell as my 6th level feat and using my Metamagic Spell Trigger class ability to just blow the s*** outta enemies. However, I just want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. To quote the SRD Heighten Spell [Metamagic] Benefit A heightened spell has a higher spell level than normal (up to a maximum of 9th level). Unlike other metamagic feats, Heighten Spell actually increases the effective level of the spell that it modifies. All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs and ability to penetrate a lesser globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the heightened level. The heightened spell is as difficult to prepare and cast as a spell of its effective level. So, let's say I have a minimum level (CL 5) wand of fireball. Could I spend 16 charges (1 to activate, 15 to bump it with MMST) to fire it off as a 9th level (CL 20) fireball?
Drag0nUL 08-15-07, 10:06 AM	I don't think so. Heighten spell only increases the spell level, not the caster level. So if you use heighten spell on a wand of fireball (CL 5) you would still get CL 5 fireballs out of it, but they would be treated as 9th level spells (which means increasing the save DC from 14 to 23).
Warforged Goblin 08-15-07, 10:22 AM	But the feat says "All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs and ability to penetrate a lesser globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the heightened level", which I would assume includes damage based on level. Does that make sense or am I flat-out wrong?
TiwazTyrsfist 08-15-07, 12:18 PM	You are flat out wrong. Sorry. Save DCs and bypassing effects that block spells below a certain level are based on SPELL LEVEL, which heighten spell increases. Variable Damage amounts, such as the Nd6 fireball does, as well as the Range, and for other spells the duration, are based on CASTER LEVEL, which is NOT affected by Heighten Spell. So, you could (if you choose) spend 6 extra charges on you wand of 5th CL fireball to have it count as a 9th level spell. It would still do 5d6 damage, it would still have a range of 600 ft, BUT the save DC for the reflex save would be +6, and it would penetrate a globe of invulnerability. Likewise, if you had a wand of light, and spent 3 extra charges (to make it a 3rd level spell) it could dispell deeper darkness.
Drag0nUL 08-15-07, 03:22 PM	So, you could (if you choose) spend 6 extra charges on you wand of 5th CL fireball to have it count as a 9th level spell. It would still do 5d6 damage, it would still have a range of 600 ft, BUT the save DC for the reflex save would be +6, and it would penetrate a globe of invulnerability. Actually the DC would increase by +9. By RAW, the save DC for a wand spell is 10+spell level+the modifier of the minimum ability score that allows you to cast the spell. For a normal (3rd level) fireball this is 10+3(spell level)+1(you need 13 in your casting stat to cast a 3rd level spell)=14. For a fireball heightened to 9th level this is 10+9(spell level)+4(you need 19 in your casting stat to cast a 9th level spell)=23.
TiwazTyrsfist 08-15-07, 04:44 PM	Ah, a good point. I had forgotten about the change in the ability modifiers.