Metamagic Specialist (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Metamagic Specialist (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ratarang
06-24-07, 02:07 PM Metamagic Specialist

A metamagic specialist is a master of modifying spells on the fly. Metamagic specialists progressing from spontaneous casting classes enjoy decreased casting times and many bonus abilities while those with preparation based casting find their increased flexibility to be the biggest advantage of the class.
Hit Die: d4.

REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a Metamagic Specialist, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
Skills : Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks,Spellcraft 8 ranks.
Feats : Two metamagic feats.
Spellcasting : Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells.

CLASS SKILLS
At first level, choose an arcane spellcasting class which gives the Metamagic Specialist the ability to cast 3rd level spells. The class skill list of the Metamagic Specialist class is the same as that of the chosen class.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table : The Metamagic Specialist
Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day/Spells Known
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Rapid Metamagic,Instant Metamagic --
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Cheap Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Improved Cheap Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Favored Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class

CLASS FEATURES
All of the following are class features of the Metamagic Specialist prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Metamagic Specialists gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield.

Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new Metamagic Specialist level except the first is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class granted her access to 3rd-level spells before she added the prestige class. If she had more than one class that granted her access to 3rd-level spells before she added the prestige class, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Metamagic Specialist for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.

Rapid Metamagic : At 1st level, the Metamagic Specialist gains the Rapid Metamagic feat even if she cannot meet the prerequisites. If the Metamagic Specialist is not a spontaneous caster or if she already has the feat(or equivalent ability), she can instead choose to gain a metamagic feat for which she qualifies.

Instant Metamagic : At 1st level, the Metamagic Specialist gains a metamagic pool of spellcasting ability modifier + Metamagic Specialist class levels.She may use levels from this pool to spontaneously add metamagic feats she knows to her spells on a 1-to-1 level cost basis. The modified spell level must not exceed the highest level of spells she is able to cast (but see the Improved Instant Metamagic class feature). A spontaneous caster might increase the level of the spell slot used or expend levels from her metamagic pool for metamagic effects but the price of a single feat must be paid from a single source. A caster who prepares her spells might prepare a spell with metamagic and then apply further metamagic spontaneously with Instant Metamagic.

Example : A 5th level wizard/2nd level Metamagic Specialist with 17 intelligence has a metamagic pool of 3(intelligence modifier) + 2(Metamagic Specialist class levels) = 5 levels. She can modify her prepared magic missile spell with both Silent Spell and Still Spell feats spontaneously by expending 2 levels from her metamagic pool. She cannot Maximize her magic missile spell because the modified spell would be 4th level and she cannot cast spells higher than 3rd level.

Bonus Metamagic Feat: At 2nd, 5th and 8th levels, the Metamagic Specialist may select any metamagic feat as a bonus feat. She must meet any prerequisites for a feat in order to select it.

Improved Instant Metamagic : At 3rd, 6th and 9th levels the Instant Metamagic feature of the Metamagic Specialist becomes more powerful:
At 3rd level, the size of the metamagic pool increases by 2 levels.
At 6th level, the highest level of spells a Metamagic Specialist can cast is considered to be 1 level higher for Instant Metamagic (this allows spell level+feat modifications for Instant Metamagic to reach 10 if the Metamagic Specialist can cast 9th level spells).
At 9th level, the highest level of spells a Metamagic Specialist can cast is considered to be 2 levels higher for Instant Metamagic (this allows spell level+feat modifications for Instant Metamagic to reach 11 if the Metamagic Specialist can cast 9th level spells).

Cheap Metamagic : At 4th level, the total level cost of all metamagic feats applied to a Metamagic Specialist's spells is decreased by 1, to a minimum of 0. This applies to both normal applications of metamagic and the Instant Metamagic class ability.

Example : A Silent, Stilled, Empowered Magic Missile is a 1(spell level) + (1+1+2) (level adjustments) - 1(Cheap Metamagic) = 4th level spell for a 4th level Metamagic Specialist.

Improved Cheap Metamagic : At 7th level, the Cheap Metamagic feature of the Metamagic Specialist becomes more powerful. The level adjustment of all metamagic feats applied to a Metamagic Specialist's spells is decreased by 1, to a minimum of 0, for a maximum total decrease of 3 levels for modified spell level. This feature replaces the Cheap Metamagic feature and does not stack with it (the level adjustment modifier per metamagic feat is still -1).

Example : A Sorcerer 6/Metamagic Specialist 9 with 18 charisma has a metamagic pool of 4(charisma modifier) + 9(Metamagic Specialist class levels) + 2(Improved Instant Metamagic) = 15 levels. She can normally cast 6th level spells. For the purpose of the Improved Instant Metamagic feature, the total of spell level+metamagic feat adjustments can reach 8, although any adjustments pushing level beyond 6 must come from her metamagic pool as she does not have 7th or 8th level spell slots. She can cast an Enlarged,Maximized, Quickened Scorching Ray by paying a metamagic pool cost of (1-1)+(3-1)+(4-1)=5 levels. If she wishes to preserve her metamagic pool, she can choose to increase the spell slot used instead. However, she cannot pay for both Maximize and Quicken Spell with a higher spell slot because the modified spell level 2(Scorching Ray)+(3-1)(Maximize)+(4-1)(Quicken)=7 is higher than the maximum level of the spells she is normally able to cast.

Favored Metamagic : At 10th level, the Metamagic Specialist chooses a metamagic feat she knows as her favored metamagic.The level adjustment of the feat decreases by a further level for a total of -2 including the Improved Cheap Metamagic bonus. The total maximum decrease in level adjustments for Improved Cheap Metamagic is 4, rather than 3, when the favored metamagic feat is used. If the Metamagic Specialist has no metamagic feats with a higher than +1 level adjustment, she really should.
ratarang
06-24-07, 02:16 PM My puny searching skills couldn't find a recent Incantatrix replacement, so here it is. Compared to the original, there is basically no requirements, no lost school of spell, much flexibility and an earlier and a sometimes more powerful metamagic cost decreasing ability. In return, the class loses funky powers, all the Spellcraft cheese and one spellcaster level. Please respond with any advice, balance concerns (too powerful! :D ) and reports of grammar/spelling errors.
Axiomatic_vampire
06-24-07, 05:17 PM Between favored metamagic and improved cheap metamagic, is it -3 or -4 to one metamagic feat? Either way, it seems a bit much. Every spell quickened? Every spell twinned? Absurd.
ratarang
06-24-07, 07:40 PM It's -2 for the favored feat, -1 for others. The "improved" part is for raising the total cap to 3, the -1 to level adjustment doesn't stack with normal Cheap Metamagic. I'll make that clearer in the text.
Traverse
06-24-07, 09:31 PM I know it seems like you want them to be able to reach 9th level spells prior to epic, but I'd think about dropping the +1 to existing spellcasting class for each level they get Improved Instant Metamagic. If I'm looking right... well, it just seems a bit too powerful. It feels like he should give up more than one spell and one feat to become so specialized in the metamagics.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ratarang 06-24-07, 02:07 PM	Metamagic Specialist A metamagic specialist is a master of modifying spells on the fly. Metamagic specialists progressing from spontaneous casting classes enjoy decreased casting times and many bonus abilities while those with preparation based casting find their increased flexibility to be the biggest advantage of the class. Hit Die: d4. REQUIREMENTS To qualify to become a Metamagic Specialist, a character must fulfill all the following criteria: Skills : Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks,Spellcraft 8 ranks. Feats : Two metamagic feats. Spellcasting : Able to cast 3rd-level arcane spells. CLASS SKILLS At first level, choose an arcane spellcasting class which gives the Metamagic Specialist the ability to cast 3rd level spells. The class skill list of the Metamagic Specialist class is the same as that of the chosen class. Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier. Table : The Metamagic Specialist Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day/Spells Known 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Rapid Metamagic,Instant Metamagic -- 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 3 +1 +1 +1 +3 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 4 +2 +1 +1 +4 Cheap Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 6 +3 +2 +2 +5 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Improved Cheap Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 8 +4 +2 +2 +6 Bonus metamagic feat +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 9 +4 +3 +3 +6 Improved Instant Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Favored Metamagic +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class CLASS FEATURES All of the following are class features of the Metamagic Specialist prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Metamagic Specialists gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield. Spells per Day/Spells Known: When a new Metamagic Specialist level except the first is gained, the character gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if she had also gained a level in whatever arcane spellcasting class granted her access to 3rd-level spells before she added the prestige class. If she had more than one class that granted her access to 3rd-level spells before she added the prestige class, she must decide to which class she adds each level of Metamagic Specialist for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known. Rapid Metamagic : At 1st level, the Metamagic Specialist gains the Rapid Metamagic feat even if she cannot meet the prerequisites. If the Metamagic Specialist is not a spontaneous caster or if she already has the feat(or equivalent ability), she can instead choose to gain a metamagic feat for which she qualifies. Instant Metamagic : At 1st level, the Metamagic Specialist gains a metamagic pool of spellcasting ability modifier + Metamagic Specialist class levels.She may use levels from this pool to spontaneously add metamagic feats she knows to her spells on a 1-to-1 level cost basis. The modified spell level must not exceed the highest level of spells she is able to cast (but see the Improved Instant Metamagic class feature). A spontaneous caster might increase the level of the spell slot used or expend levels from her metamagic pool for metamagic effects but the price of a single feat must be paid from a single source. A caster who prepares her spells might prepare a spell with metamagic and then apply further metamagic spontaneously with Instant Metamagic. Example : A 5th level wizard/2nd level Metamagic Specialist with 17 intelligence has a metamagic pool of 3(intelligence modifier) + 2(Metamagic Specialist class levels) = 5 levels. She can modify her prepared magic missile spell with both Silent Spell and Still Spell feats spontaneously by expending 2 levels from her metamagic pool. She cannot Maximize her magic missile spell because the modified spell would be 4th level and she cannot cast spells higher than 3rd level. Bonus Metamagic Feat: At 2nd, 5th and 8th levels, the Metamagic Specialist may select any metamagic feat as a bonus feat. She must meet any prerequisites for a feat in order to select it. Improved Instant Metamagic : At 3rd, 6th and 9th levels the Instant Metamagic feature of the Metamagic Specialist becomes more powerful: At 3rd level, the size of the metamagic pool increases by 2 levels. At 6th level, the highest level of spells a Metamagic Specialist can cast is considered to be 1 level higher for Instant Metamagic (this allows spell level+feat modifications for Instant Metamagic to reach 10 if the Metamagic Specialist can cast 9th level spells). At 9th level, the highest level of spells a Metamagic Specialist can cast is considered to be 2 levels higher for Instant Metamagic (this allows spell level+feat modifications for Instant Metamagic to reach 11 if the Metamagic Specialist can cast 9th level spells). Cheap Metamagic : At 4th level, the total level cost of all metamagic feats applied to a Metamagic Specialist's spells is decreased by 1, to a minimum of 0. This applies to both normal applications of metamagic and the Instant Metamagic class ability. Example : A Silent, Stilled, Empowered Magic Missile is a 1(spell level) + (1+1+2) (level adjustments) - 1(Cheap Metamagic) = 4th level spell for a 4th level Metamagic Specialist. Improved Cheap Metamagic : At 7th level, the Cheap Metamagic feature of the Metamagic Specialist becomes more powerful. The level adjustment of all metamagic feats applied to a Metamagic Specialist's spells is decreased by 1, to a minimum of 0, for a maximum total decrease of 3 levels for modified spell level. This feature replaces the Cheap Metamagic feature and does not stack with it (the level adjustment modifier per metamagic feat is still -1). Example : A Sorcerer 6/Metamagic Specialist 9 with 18 charisma has a metamagic pool of 4(charisma modifier) + 9(Metamagic Specialist class levels) + 2(Improved Instant Metamagic) = 15 levels. She can normally cast 6th level spells. For the purpose of the Improved Instant Metamagic feature, the total of spell level+metamagic feat adjustments can reach 8, although any adjustments pushing level beyond 6 must come from her metamagic pool as she does not have 7th or 8th level spell slots. She can cast an Enlarged,Maximized, Quickened Scorching Ray by paying a metamagic pool cost of (1-1)+(3-1)+(4-1)=5 levels. If she wishes to preserve her metamagic pool, she can choose to increase the spell slot used instead. However, she cannot pay for both Maximize and Quicken Spell with a higher spell slot because the modified spell level 2(Scorching Ray)+(3-1)(Maximize)+(4-1)(Quicken)=7 is higher than the maximum level of the spells she is normally able to cast. Favored Metamagic : At 10th level, the Metamagic Specialist chooses a metamagic feat she knows as her favored metamagic.The level adjustment of the feat decreases by a further level for a total of -2 including the Improved Cheap Metamagic bonus. The total maximum decrease in level adjustments for Improved Cheap Metamagic is 4, rather than 3, when the favored metamagic feat is used. If the Metamagic Specialist has no metamagic feats with a higher than +1 level adjustment, she really should.
ratarang 06-24-07, 02:16 PM	My puny searching skills couldn't find a recent Incantatrix replacement, so here it is. Compared to the original, there is basically no requirements, no lost school of spell, much flexibility and an earlier and a sometimes more powerful metamagic cost decreasing ability. In return, the class loses funky powers, all the Spellcraft cheese and one spellcaster level. Please respond with any advice, balance concerns (too powerful! :D ) and reports of grammar/spelling errors.
Axiomatic_vampire 06-24-07, 05:17 PM	Between favored metamagic and improved cheap metamagic, is it -3 or -4 to one metamagic feat? Either way, it seems a bit much. Every spell quickened? Every spell twinned? Absurd.
ratarang 06-24-07, 07:40 PM	It's -2 for the favored feat, -1 for others. The "improved" part is for raising the total cap to 3, the -1 to level adjustment doesn't stack with normal Cheap Metamagic. I'll make that clearer in the text.
Traverse 06-24-07, 09:31 PM	I know it seems like you want them to be able to reach 9th level spells prior to epic, but I'd think about dropping the +1 to existing spellcasting class for each level they get Improved Instant Metamagic. If I'm looking right... well, it just seems a bit too powerful. It feels like he should give up more than one spell and one feat to become so specialized in the metamagics.