The Metamagic Guide

[Elric VIII]

Originally (in this thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198092)) I had started a Metamagc Guide, but I put it on hold. Now that I have the time to finish it here is a compilation of all of the suggestions in that thread, plus some additions I have discovered in my readings. Please feel free to help me add to this guide (I would like to limit this to official 3.5 books and Dragon Magazine only).


This post details the methods of getting metamagic effects without actually altering the spell level.

Free Metamagic
{table=head]Class|Type|Ability|Uses & Level(s)|Casting|Other|Book
Abjurant Champion (1) | Arcane | Free Extend on Abjuration spells. | 1st | 5/5 | - | CM
Abjurant Champion (2) | Arcane | Free Quicken on Abjuration spells. | 2nd | - | Spell level of 1/2 class level, rounded up. | -
Anima Mage (1) | Arcane | Add a metamagic feat to a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 1/day @ 5th; 2/day@ 7th; 3/day @ 9th | 10/10 |Lose Vestige power for 5 rounds | ToM
Anima Mage (2) | - | Cast a spell as an immediate action, Stilled and Silent | 1/day @ 10th | - | -
Arcane Devotee | Arcane | Free Enlarge Spell. | 1 + Cha/day at 1st. | 5/5 | - | PGtF
Archmage | Arcane | Free Reach Spell. | Any level. | 5/5 | Lose one 7th level spell slot. | DMG
Candle Caster (1) | Either | Create a candle (scroll) that has a second spell effect when the first expires | Item Creation @ 5th | 10/10 | - | T&B
Candle Caster (2) | - | Create a candle (scroll) that triggers two spells simultaneously | Item Creation @ 9th | - | You must pay exp/gold for both spells | -
Escalation Mage (1) | Arcane | Heighten by +1 without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 1st | 5/5 | CL check DC 10+2 x (Spell Level) | FoE
Escalation Mage (2) | - | Empower without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 2nd | - | CL check DC 12+2 x (Spell Level) | -
Escalation Mage (3) | - | Widen without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 3rd | - | CL check DC 14+2 x (Spell Level) | -
Escalation Mage (4) | - | Quicken without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 4th | - | CL check DC 16+2 x (Spell Level) | -
Escalation Mage (5) | - | Use (1)-(4) without CL check | 1/day each @ 5th | - | Not applicable to highest level spell. | -
Heirophant | Divine | Free Reach Spell. | Any level. | 0/5 | - | DMG
Incantatrix (1) | Arcane | Add a metamagic feat to a spell that an ally is casting. | 3 + Int/day @ 2nd | 10/10 | DC 18 + 3x(new spell level) Spellcraft check | PGtF
Incantatrix (2) | - | Add a metamagic feat to a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 1/day @ 7th; 2/day @ 9th| - || -
Incantatrix (3) | - | Add a metamagic feat to a spell effect currently in place. | 3 + Int/day @ 3rd | - | DC 18 + 3x(new spell level) Spellcraft check | -
Magical Trickster | Either | Add a metamagic feat to a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 1/day @ 3rd|2/3|+4 adjustment or less| CS
Master Specialist | Arcane | Cast an Illusion spell as though Silent and Stilled | 3/day @ 10th| 10/10 | Specialist Wizard only. | CM
Mind Mage (1)| Arcane | Use PP to replace verbal and/or somatic components. | 1st |8/10| Requires 2nd level psionics. | DMag 313
Mind Mage (2)*| Arcane | Use PP to pay for matamagic adjustment. | 2nd | - | Offset adjustment by 1 level for every 3 PP spent. | -
Recaster (1) | Arcane | Apply Silent or Still Spell without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 1 | 4/5 | Changeling only. |RoE
Recaster (2) | - | Quicken a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 3/day @ 3 | - | - | -
Recaster (3) | - | Sculpt* a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 5/day @ 5 | - | - | -
Recaster (4) | - | Empower, Enlarge, Extend, Maximize, Widen a spell without altering the spell’s level. | class level/day @ 2 | - | Choose 2, @ 2nd & 4th | -
Runesmith | Arcane | Prepare spells as runes. These spells are treated as Still Spells. | 1st | 5/5 | Dwarf only. | RoS
Sandshaper (1) | Arcane | Empower, Enlarge, Extend, Silence, or Still a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 3/day @ 5th; 4/day @ 7th | 8/10 | Must be near or carrying sand | -
Sandshaper (2) | - | Maximize or Widen a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 5/day @ 9th| - | Shares use pool with (1) | -
Shadowcraft Mage (1) | Either | Illusion spells you cast are Silenced. | 2nd | 5/5 | Does not work on Bard spells | RoS
Shadowcraft Mage (2) | - | Illusion spells you cast are Extended. | 4th | - | Stacks with Extend Spell | -
Spelldancer | Arcane | Add a metamagic feat of +X to a spell without altering the spell’s level. | Con + level rounds/day|5/5 |Dance for X rounds, make DC 10+X perform check | MoF
Spellwarp Sniper | Arcane | Empower a ray spell spell without altering the spell’s level. | 1/day @ 5th | 5/5 | - | CS
Swiftblade| Arcane | Free quicken on the spell haste. | 3rd | 6/10 | - | CS
Ultimate Magus| Arcane | Add a metamagic feat to a spell without altering the spell’s level. | 3+ ½ x level/day | 7/10 & 10/10 | Prepared/Spontaneous theurge | CM
[/table]
*This ability also works for metapsionics.

{table=head]Feat|Effect|Other|Book
Divine Metamagic | Use Turn/Rebuke to pay for metamagic. | Divine spells only. | CD
Metamagic Song | Use Bardic Music to pay for metamagic. | Spontaneously cast spells only. | RoS
Midnight Metamagic | Use essentia to pay for metamagic. | Pay 1 essentia for each level of metamagic adjustment. | MoI
Residual Metamagic | Free metamagic after casting a spell twice in a row. | The original casting must already have the metamagic. | CM
Sudden Metamagic | 1/day apply a metamagic to a spell with no adjustment. | Still, Silent, Enlarge, Empower, Extend, Maximize, Quicken, Widen | MH or CAr
[/table]

{table=head]Special|Type|Effect|Other|Book
Illumian| Race | Use Turn/Rebuke to pay for metamagic. | 2/day. Requires Naenhoon sigil. | RoD [/table]

Item-Based Metamagic Manipulation
{table=head] Class| Ability|Level|Other|Book
Artificer (1) | Apply a metamagic feat to the next use of a spell trigger item | 5th | 3rd level infusion Metamagic Item. | ECS
Artificer (2) | Spend charges of a spell trigger item to apply metamagic. | 6th | Spend extra charges equal to the adjustment of the metamagic. | -
Artificer (3) | Make a UMD check to add a metamagic to a spell completion item | 11th | DC 20 + (3 x modified level) | -
Hellfire Warlock | Apply a metamagic effect to a wand or staff Cha Mod times/day.| 2nd | Empower, Energy Substitution, Enlarge, or Widen| FCII[/table]

{table=head] Feat|Effect|Other|Book
Double Wand Wielder | Spend a full round action to cast 1 spell form each of 2 wands. | “Off-hand” wand uses 2 charges. | Car
Consecrate Spell Trigger | Spend Turn attempt to apply Consecrate Spell to a wand. | - | BoED
Metamagic Spell Trigger | Spend charges of a spell trigger item to apply metamagic. | Spend extra charges equal to the adjustment of the metamagic. | CM
Purify Spell Trigger | Spend Turn attempt to apply Purify Spell to a wand. | - | BoED
Sanctum Spell | Lowers the level of a chosen spell while outside sanctum. | Use lower level MM Rod on level 4/7 spells. | T&B [/table]

[Elric VIII]

This post contains the methods for reducing the cost of applying metamagic feats.

Cheap Metamagic
{table=head]Class|Type|Ability|Uses & Level(s)|Casting|Other|Book
Dweomerkeeper | Either | Lower the cost of all metamagic feats by 1 (min 1)| 10th level | 10/10 | Requires at least one level in an Arcane and a Divine class. | CD:WE ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20040522a)
Halruaan| Arcane | Lower the cost of up to 4 metamagic feats by 1 (min 1) | 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th | 10/10 | You must be Accepted into the Halruaan Council | ShS
Incantatrix | Arcane | Lower the cost of all metamagic feats by 1. | 10th level | 10/10 | Minimum adjustment of 1. | PGtF [/table]

{table=head]Feat|Effect|Other|Book
Arcane Thesis | Reduces metamagic on a chosen spell by 1. | Arcane only. Cannot reduce level below normal spell level. | PHB II
Easy Metamagic | Lower the adjustment of a single metamagic by 1.| Min adjustment 1. | DMag 325
Metamagic School Focus | Lower the adjustment of a metamagic on a single school by 1. | 3/day | CM
Occular Spell | Cast 2 Ocular Spells in one turn as a full round action | +2 adjustment. Can only hold 2 spells at a time. | LoM
Practical Metamagic | Lower the adjustment of a single metamagic by 1.| Min adj 1. Dragonblooded spontaneous casters only. | RotD[/table]

{table=head]Special|Type|Effect|Other|Book
Slaymate| Monster | Reduce metamagic cost on Necromancy spells. | Spells must be prepared in range of Slaymate. | LM [/table]

[Elric VIII]

This space has been reserved.

[BinaryMage]

Thanks, this is useful. It also again demonstrates why the incantatrix is broken. :smallbiggrin:

[Elric VIII]

If there's anything missing, feel free to point it out.

I may even do a section on metapsionics, too.

[Optimator]

Thanks, this is useful. It also again demonstrates why the incantatrix is broken. :smallbiggrin:

What, the 4 overpowered abilities? With full advancement? 3 bonus metamagic feats? Naw...







Gawd, I love that class.

[NeoSeraphi]

What about the artificer ability to expend extra charges on wands to apply Metamagic to them? Or is that not considered metamagic, since it's not on a spell?

[Elric VIII]

What about the artificer ability to expend extra charges on wands to apply Metamagic to them? Or is that not considered metamagic, since it's not on a spell?

That would be a good addition. I'll make up a table for item-based metamagic. That would include the Artificer abilities Metamagic Spell Trigger, Metamagic Spell Completion, and the infusion Metamagic Item. Are there other classes that grant similar abilities?

I would also include the feats Double Wand Wielder and Metamagic Spell Trigger feat, anything else?

[ShneekeyTheLost]

That would be a good addition. I'll make up a table for item-based metamagic. That would include the Artificer abilities Metamagic Spell Trigger, Metamagic Spell Completion, and the infusion Metamagic Item. Are there other classes that grant similar abilities?

I would also include the feats Double Wand Wielder and Metamagic Spell Trigger feat, anything else?

Hellfire Warlock allows you to burn con to add metamagic to items such as wands and scrolls...

[Elric VIII]

Hellfire Warlock allows you to burn con to add metamagic to items such as wands and scrolls...

Added, however the ability doesn't mention anything about needing to burn Con (Although the other HFW abilities do).

[ShneekeyTheLost]

I don't see Sanctum Spell...

[Flame of Anor]

Note that it's spelled Incantatrix.

[Elric VIII]

I don't see Sanctum Spell...
Is this really viable for a metamagic user or is it just for early entry.


Note that it's spelled Incantatrix.

Good catch. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue as well, but it's better to be correct.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

Is this really viable for a metamagic user or is it just for early entry. Reduces spell level by one. I leave it to you to see how this can either offset metamagic costs, or simply reduce the spell level of the spell so that you're preparing the spell in a lower level spell slot...

[Elric VIII]

Reduces spell level by one. I leave it to you to see how this can either offset metamagic costs, or simply reduce the spell level of the spell so that you're preparing the spell in a lower level spell slot...

It says that: "A sanctum spell uses a spell slot of the spell's normal level, modified by any other metamagic feats."

I unless I'm misreading or looking at an old version, it seems that it has been worded to specifically prevent this.

[Divide by Zero]

Sanctum Spell should help level 4/7 spells qualify for lower-level metamagic rods, though, so it might still be worth mentioning.

[Kumori]

Though it may be too much trouble, adding a list of the various metamagic effects themselves sounds like a good idea to me.

[Acanous]

Master Specialist (Illusion) allows you to apply Still, Silent, and Eschew Materials to an Illusion spell 3/day.
I know it's super-specific, but free metamagic is free, and it stacks with any other meta you've got going.

there's a class in BoEF that has a bunch of metamagic reducers, but I'm stumped on the name :/

[Divide by Zero]

there's a class in BoEF that has a bunch of metamagic reducers, but I'm stumped on the name :/

Metaphysical Spellshaper, I believe. It's basically Incantatrix Lite.

[Acanous]

true, but it's what, 3 or 5 progression, and would stack with incantatrix.

[Kumori]

It's a 3 level class, but Elric VIII did say this in the first post:


I would like to limit this to official 3.5 books and Dragon Magazine only

BoEF isn't an official 3.5 book.

[Raven Helcat]

Thanks, this is useful. It also again demonstrates why the incantatrix is broken. :smallbiggrin:

I think it gives a Sorcerer the feeling of, "Oh, that's what it feels like to be a wizard!" :smallbiggrin:

....not the broken bit, just the extra feats bit... we all know anything more powerful than a straight monk build is broken! :smalltongue:

[DeAnno]

Arcane Devotee 1 (PGtF) gives Reach of the Holy for Free Enlarge 1+Cha mod times per day.

[Elric VIII]

Sanctum Spell should help level 4/7 spells qualify for lower-level metamagic rods, though, so it might still be worth mentioning.

Ok, now I see. Added to the Items section.


Though it may be too much trouble, adding a list of the various metamagic effects themselves sounds like a good idea to me.

Alright, I'll start writing this up.


Master Specialist (Illusion) allows you to apply Still, Silent, and Eschew Materials to an Illusion spell 3/day.
I know it's super-specific, but free metamagic is free, and it stacks with any other meta you've got going.

there's a class in BoEF that has a bunch of metamagic reducers, but I'm stumped on the name :/

Added Master Specialist.


Arcane Devotee 1 (PGtF) gives Reach of the Holy for Free Enlarge 1+Cha mod times per day.

Added.

[NeoSeraphi]

Runesmith- (Dwarven Prestige Class, Races of Stone) Gains the ability to inscribe runes rather than preparing spells, free Still Spell for all spells he prepares as runes.

Shadowcraft Mage (Gnome Prestige Class, Races of Stone)- Free Silent Spell on all non-bard Illusion spells, free Extend Spell (that stacks with the actual Extend Spell) on all Illusion spells

[Elric VIII]

Runesmith- (Dwarven Prestige Class, Races of Stone) Gains the ability to inscribe runes rather than preparing spells, free Still Spell for all spells he prepares as runes.

Shadowcraft Mage (Gnome Prestige Class, Races of Stone)- Free Silent Spell on all non-bard Illusion spells, free Extend Spell (that stacks with the actual Extend Spell) on all Illusion spells

Added to first post.

[power4me]

Also, there is the wu jen's spell secret class feature that allows you to apply certain metamagics to a spell with no level increase.

[Thrice Dead Cat]

War Weaver 5 gets a limited ability to enlarge spells for free that also transforms touch spells into close range spells.

[KerlanRayne]

Have you seen this?: Metamagic and You: A Thesis
(http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=9876.0)

[Elric VIII]

Have you seen this?: Metamagic and You: A Thesis
(http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=9876.0)

Wow, I wish I had found this about a month ago. Would have saved me a lot of work.

[BinaryMage]

Have you seen this?: Metamagic and You: A Thesis
(http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=9876.0)

That is really, really incredible. I am now banning Kingdoms of Kalamar Player's Guide from anything I DM.

[Cieyrin]

Archmage also has free Sculpt Spell and Energy Substitution (Mastery of Shaping and Mastery of Elements, respectively). Costs a 6th and 8th level slot, respectively.

[Ansem]

It's a 3 level class, but Elric VIII did say this in the first post:



BoEF isn't an official 3.5 book.

Still specific 3.5 OGL, I mean if you're going with Dragon Magazine already I see no reason to disallowed this specific class.