A Spontaneous Houserule... [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Spontaneous Houserule... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Unda Harvum
03-22-04, 10:27 PM ...regarding spontaenous castings of spells with meta-magic feats applied:

Some think the idea of a Full-Round Action for spontaneously applying meta-magic feats are too restrictive (especially in regard to Quicken spell). Others think they are too harsh, but well... Some other think it is just fine. This proposed houserule is a compromise for, at least, the first two groups:

(A disclaimer: I wouldn't be surprised if something like this has been thought up by somebody else already. In that case I'm sorry... I'm not trying to take credit etc, but great minds, blah blah, etc..)

Whenever you spontaneously apply a meta-magic feat to a spell, you can choose to use a spell-slot two levels higher than would normally be necessary. This will allow you to cast the spell in the normally designated time. If you apply more than one meta-magic feat, you will have to supply two slots per feat.

That means, if you want to spontaneously apply Empower Spell to a Magic Missile for a 1 standard action casting time, you can do so, but it will be a 1 (spell level) + 2 (Empower) + 2 (no extra time)=5 level spell slot.

A Maximized Fire Ball can be cast as a 1 Standard Action spell from a 8th level spell slot: 3 (spell level) +3 (Maximaize) + 2 (no extra time).

An Empowered Summon Monster II can be cast as a Full Round spell as a 6th level spell: 2 (spell level)+2 (Empower) + 2 (no extra time).

A Quickened Magic Missile can be cast as a free action as a 7th level spell: 1 (spell level) + 4 (Quicken) + 2 (no extra time).

And a Fireball could be cast spontaneaously, as a free action, as a 9th level spell: 3 (Spell Level) + 4 (Quicken) + 2 (no extra time).

An Empowered, Maximized Magic Missile would be a 1 (Spell level) + 2 (Empowered), +3 (Maximized) + 4 (2xno extra time)=10th level spell

I'm not proposing this as a feat, because I think it should be available to all who might want to invest the spell levels necessary - and the spontaneous caster has already taken one feat, I don't think it should be necessary have a second feat to use the first in an optamal way.

Personally I still think the spell slots used are rather harsh, and more than make up for the versatility of the Bard/Sorcerer using meta-magic.

But it does allow the Bard/Sorcerer to take advantage of Quicken Spell.

So.. what do you think?
Seeker95
03-22-04, 11:03 PM Make it only one additional spell level higher instead of two and I'll take it. For the generally abusive possibilities, it is already covered by the increase (Maximize, etc.) associated with that metamagic.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the full-round action, and I would also not object to the sorcerer being treated exactly the same as the wizard when it comes to metamagic.

I already like sorcerers better than wizards. This would just be icing on my cake!
Unda Harvum
03-22-04, 11:11 PM Personally, I'd probably like a 1 level increase, too... or maybe no increase at all. This is very much a proposition for those who like to limit the sorcerers in regard to meta-magic, especially of course Quicken. I'm wondering if this would satisfy both sides of the table...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Unda Harvum 03-22-04, 10:27 PM	...regarding spontaenous castings of spells with meta-magic feats applied: Some think the idea of a Full-Round Action for spontaneously applying meta-magic feats are too restrictive (especially in regard to Quicken spell). Others think they are too harsh, but well... Some other think it is just fine. This proposed houserule is a compromise for, at least, the first two groups: (A disclaimer: I wouldn't be surprised if something like this has been thought up by somebody else already. In that case I'm sorry... I'm not trying to take credit etc, but great minds, blah blah, etc..) Whenever you spontaneously apply a meta-magic feat to a spell, you can choose to use a spell-slot two levels higher than would normally be necessary. This will allow you to cast the spell in the normally designated time. If you apply more than one meta-magic feat, you will have to supply two slots per feat. That means, if you want to spontaneously apply Empower Spell to a Magic Missile for a 1 standard action casting time, you can do so, but it will be a 1 (spell level) + 2 (Empower) + 2 (no extra time)=5 level spell slot. A Maximized Fire Ball can be cast as a 1 Standard Action spell from a 8th level spell slot: 3 (spell level) +3 (Maximaize) + 2 (no extra time). An Empowered Summon Monster II can be cast as a Full Round spell as a 6th level spell: 2 (spell level)+2 (Empower) + 2 (no extra time). A Quickened Magic Missile can be cast as a free action as a 7th level spell: 1 (spell level) + 4 (Quicken) + 2 (no extra time). And a Fireball could be cast spontaneaously, as a free action, as a 9th level spell: 3 (Spell Level) + 4 (Quicken) + 2 (no extra time). An Empowered, Maximized Magic Missile would be a 1 (Spell level) + 2 (Empowered), +3 (Maximized) + 4 (2xno extra time)=10th level spell I'm not proposing this as a feat, because I think it should be available to all who might want to invest the spell levels necessary - and the spontaneous caster has already taken one feat, I don't think it should be necessary have a second feat to use the first in an optamal way. Personally I still think the spell slots used are rather harsh, and more than make up for the versatility of the Bard/Sorcerer using meta-magic. But it does allow the Bard/Sorcerer to take advantage of Quicken Spell. So.. what do you think?
Seeker95 03-22-04, 11:03 PM	Make it only one additional spell level higher instead of two and I'll take it. For the generally abusive possibilities, it is already covered by the increase (Maximize, etc.) associated with that metamagic. Personally, I don't have a problem with the full-round action, and I would also not object to the sorcerer being treated exactly the same as the wizard when it comes to metamagic. I already like sorcerers better than wizards. This would just be icing on my cake!
Unda Harvum 03-22-04, 11:11 PM	Personally, I'd probably like a 1 level increase, too... or maybe no increase at all. This is very much a proposition for those who like to limit the sorcerers in regard to meta-magic, especially of course Quicken. I'm wondering if this would satisfy both sides of the table...