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View Full Version : 3rd Ed Metamagic rods and other, non-heighten metamagic.



Barna13
2019-07-04, 08:41 PM
For context and reference,
"Metamagic rods hold the essence of a metamagic feat but do not change the spell slot of the altered spell. All the rods described here are use-activated (but casting spells in a threatened area still draws an attack of opportunity). A caster may only use one metamagic rod on any given spell, but it is permissible to combine a rod with metamagic feats possessed by the rod’s wielder. In this case, only the feats possessed by the wielder adjust the spell slot of the spell being cast."

"Normal metamagic rods can be used with spells of 6th level or lower. Lesser rods can be used with spells of 3rd level or lower, while greater rods can be used with spells of 9th level or lower."


The entry of metamagic states "As a spellcaster’s knowledge of magic grows, she can learn to cast spells in ways slightly different from the ways in which the spells were originally designed or learned. Preparing and casting a spell in such a way is harder than normal but, thanks to metamagic feats, at least it is possible. Spells modified by a metamagic feat use a spell slot higher than normal. This does not change the level of the spell, so the DC for saving throws against it does not go up."(Emphasis mine).

Would this not mean that if you say, empowered, maximized, and twinned your own fireball(as you do), you could still quicken that fireball with a lesser metamagic rod of quicken, as the level of the spell is unchanged?

Venger
2019-07-04, 09:46 PM
No.

You're confusing spell level with spell slot. A fireball is a level 3 spell. If you boost it with a +1 metamagic feat from a rod, it uses a level 4 slot, but it has the dc of 13 + your ability mod as normal. If you apply more metamagic, the spell slot increases accordingly, even if the dc doesn't go up.

MisterKaws
2019-07-04, 11:11 PM
No.

You're confusing spell level with spell slot. A fireball is a level 3 spell. If you boost it with a +1 metamagic feat from a rod, it uses a level 4 slot, but it has the dc of 13 + your ability mod as normal. If you apply more metamagic, the spell slot increases accordingly, even if the dc doesn't go up.

No, no. Re-read it.

Yes, the lesser rod would indeed work with a mailman'd Fireball. It's still a third-level spell regardless.