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View Full Version : Rules Q&A Energy Substitution Metamagic Feat - Does it alter the spell descriptor?



TallerSpine
2019-04-28, 11:34 AM
The Energy Substitution Metamagic feat (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/divine/divineAbilitiesFeats.htm#energySubstitution) is unclear as to whether it changes the spell descriptor for the spell. For instance, if I cast a Fireball and substitute cold damage, is the spell still a Fire spell? Or is it now a Cold spell? Or both?

How about the Pathfinder feat Elemental Spell (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/metamagic-feats/elemental-spell-metamagic)? That one, you can choose to do half of the original energy type and half of the new type. Does that make it both types of spells? Or does it still only keep the original descriptor?

This is important for effects that grant bonuses to caster level or spell DC based on the descriptors for the spells.

Kaleph
2019-04-29, 07:22 AM
The 3.5 feat has been updated in the complete arcane, and does exactly what one would expect: the descriptor matches the new energy type, the old descriptor is lost.