ArmorArmadillo
2007-04-12, 02:39 PM
Metamagic is one of the more iconic aspects of the magic system, but it's one of the most problematic feat systems in the game:
1. Spells become exponentially better as spell levels increase; an empowered magic missle is simply not as good as a fireball; some spells are worthwhile to empower or maximize, but metamagic should be something that is reasonable to use for all or most of your seplls interchangably.
2. Effects that allow you to use metamagic without raising spell levels, such as divine metamagic, are almost always overpowered.
3. Certain feats, like still or silence, or only useful in extreme situations, which is problematic for prepared classes which must invest these feats ahead of time.
New System:
Still Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You may cast a spell without using somatic components by spending a number of Metamagic uses equal to the spell's level. You may only apply this feat to spells whose levels are at least one level lower than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Heighten Spell
Benefit: You may increase the effective level of a spell by one level for each Metamagic use you spend to do so, plus the original spells level. You may not raise the spells effective level higher than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Quicken Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You may cast a spell with a casting time no greater than a standard action as a swift action by spending a number of Metamagic uses equal to three greater than the spell's level. You may only apply this feat to spells whose levels are at least four levels lower than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Heighten spell is the only wild card, other feats work the same way
as the ones presented.
Magic Versatility
Prerequisite: At least one Metamagic feat.
Benefit: You gain two additional Metamagic uses per day.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times, it's effects stack.
Basics: It is applied spontaneously, working the same for both prepared and spontaneous casters; you do not need to specifically prepare metamagiced spells ahead of time, and there is no increase in casting time for sorcerers.
In addition to the number of metamagic uses granted by feats, you gain a base number granted by your spellcasting stat.
Example: Nax is an 8th level sorcerer with a Charisma of 16, Heighten Spell, Still Spell, and Empower spell. He has 6 uses of Metamagic (3 for his stat and 3 for his feats.)
He can cast Magic Missle, Mirror Image, and Lightning Bolt (among other spells). He can expend two (1 + Spell Level) of his daily Metamagic uses to Empower Magic Missle. He cannot empower Mirror Image because that is not at least two levels lower than the highest level spell he can cast. He can cast Still Magic Missle by expending 1 use (Spell Level) or 2 uses to Still Mirror Image (Spell Level) but cannot Still Lightning Bolt (See above).
Thoughts?
1. Spells become exponentially better as spell levels increase; an empowered magic missle is simply not as good as a fireball; some spells are worthwhile to empower or maximize, but metamagic should be something that is reasonable to use for all or most of your seplls interchangably.
2. Effects that allow you to use metamagic without raising spell levels, such as divine metamagic, are almost always overpowered.
3. Certain feats, like still or silence, or only useful in extreme situations, which is problematic for prepared classes which must invest these feats ahead of time.
New System:
Still Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You may cast a spell without using somatic components by spending a number of Metamagic uses equal to the spell's level. You may only apply this feat to spells whose levels are at least one level lower than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Heighten Spell
Benefit: You may increase the effective level of a spell by one level for each Metamagic use you spend to do so, plus the original spells level. You may not raise the spells effective level higher than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Quicken Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: You may cast a spell with a casting time no greater than a standard action as a swift action by spending a number of Metamagic uses equal to three greater than the spell's level. You may only apply this feat to spells whose levels are at least four levels lower than the highest level spell you can cast.
You gain one additional Metamagic use per day.
Heighten spell is the only wild card, other feats work the same way
as the ones presented.
Magic Versatility
Prerequisite: At least one Metamagic feat.
Benefit: You gain two additional Metamagic uses per day.
Special: You can take this feat multiple times, it's effects stack.
Basics: It is applied spontaneously, working the same for both prepared and spontaneous casters; you do not need to specifically prepare metamagiced spells ahead of time, and there is no increase in casting time for sorcerers.
In addition to the number of metamagic uses granted by feats, you gain a base number granted by your spellcasting stat.
Example: Nax is an 8th level sorcerer with a Charisma of 16, Heighten Spell, Still Spell, and Empower spell. He has 6 uses of Metamagic (3 for his stat and 3 for his feats.)
He can cast Magic Missle, Mirror Image, and Lightning Bolt (among other spells). He can expend two (1 + Spell Level) of his daily Metamagic uses to Empower Magic Missle. He cannot empower Mirror Image because that is not at least two levels lower than the highest level spell he can cast. He can cast Still Magic Missle by expending 1 use (Spell Level) or 2 uses to Still Mirror Image (Spell Level) but cannot Still Lightning Bolt (See above).
Thoughts?