Optimization help: is it possible to get a generic 0th level spell at will?

[OldTrees]

Is it possible to cast Silent Image at will?

My goal is to be able to cast Silent Image (0th level spell due to Gnome Illusionist) at will.

By incorporating this with Shadowcraftmage and Residual Metamagic, I can cast most conjuration and evocation I know at will.

Note: I know this is a tremendously overpowered build if abused. I do not plan to abuse it and my DM trusts my judgement.

Edit: I heard about a spell called Summon Instrument, is there a broader spell that summons/creates temporary items?

[2xMachina]

Custom Item?

I don't think you can lift the spells per day limit... You can however spontaneously convert any spell slot to Silent Image (signature spell).

BTW, SCM only gets to add spells that's 1 lvl below the Silent Image lvl. Your lvl 0 slot wouldn't really be able to do much, if anything (with loads of metamagic reducers, you might be able to cast lvl 3/4 with it, depending on whether you can get to reduce Heighten to +0)

[OldTrees]

The trick uses the Residual Metamagic feat to carry over the Heighten Spell metamagic effect without the cost.


Example
Wake Up after 8hrs
Prepare spells
Cast Silent Image Earth Spell Heightened into you highest slot (but counts as one level higher thus able to mimic highest slot or lower)
Every round thereafter cast a regular silent image retaining the Heigthened effects


Mostly I was looking for a way to turn a 0th level spell into an at will spell like ability, or find an invocation that had the same effect, or some other method.

I do not believe that RAI would allow a custom item to benefit from the residual metamagic feat.

[Ernir]

Well, playing Pathfinder should do the trick.

[peacenlove]

Well, playing Pathfinder should do the trick.

In pathfinder 0 level spells are actually spell like abilities, thus no metamagic feat could be applied to them.

Edit: the shadowcaster gets his fundamentals at will at 14th level. and since fundamentals are stronger than cantrips it is not unreasonable to ask your DM to give you that benefit for all casters (and maybe at a reduced level).

[Grumman]

I don't think it's a WotC product, but I've seen a leaflet for a class called a Hedge Mage, that specialises in cantrips. Once it gets to a certain level it has an unlimited number of 0th level spell slots.

[OldTrees]

Pathfinder wouldn't work because Silent Image is only a 0th level spell for 3.5 gnome illusionists.

Edit: I could not find hedge mage with google.

[Tokiko Mima]

For the cost of one 8th level spot, you can cast silent image as an SLA at will using the Innate Spell feat.

Nice trick! Instead of casting the same spell all day though, I would save a high level spell slot for each encounter, and use that at the beginning then keep casting non-stop after that.

[OldTrees]

For the cost of one 8th level spot, you can cast silent image as an SLA at will using the Innate Spell feat.

Nice trick! Instead of casting the same spell all day though, I would save a high level spell slot for each encounter, and use that at the beginning then keep casting non-stop after that.

Thank you!! I knew that there was a way.


The goal for having it at will was to use one big spell at sunrise and cast an illusion every round as a spelladdict.
This could also mechanically represent (when combined with Arcane Diciple Luck) a non vancian at will spell caster. (something I have been looking for)

[olentu]

It being a SLA however means that it is not a spell thus likely causing all sorts of problems.

Those being that I recall something saying that berring specific exceptions one can not metamagic a SLA. Also I am not sure that one actually casts a SLA but can not remember the specific wording at the moment. And there may be other problems I have forgotten.

[OldTrees]

Residual Metamagic leaves a lot open RAW (even custom items IIRC). However RAI it should be restricted to personal power which Innate Spell does. (more accuratly Rules As I Would Allow Them / Interpret Them When I DM [RAIWATITWIDM])

Residual Metamagic allows the effect of a metamagic feat to follow, it is not applying new metamagic (which is allowed on spell like abilities it just has to be the right kind. see the empower spell like ability feat)

[olentu]

Residual Metamagic leaves a lot open RAW (even custom items IIRC). However RAI it should be restricted to personal power which Innate Spell does. (more accuratly Rules As I Would Allow Them / Interpret Them When I DM [RAIWATITWIDM])

Residual Metamagic allows the effect of a metamagic feat to follow, it is not applying new metamagic (which is allowed on spell like abilities it just has to be the right kind. see the empower spell like ability feat)

Er of course one can do whatever they want with the rules as a DM but the empower spell like ability feat is not a metamagic feat and does not reference any metamagic feat in its entry as far as I can see. So I do not see how this would apply. In fact it going to all the trouble to spell out exactly how it works rather then referencing a metamagic feat would seem to support my argument.


Edit: As another problem even if one just had unlimited first level slots to cast these spells from the residual magic tactical feat states that for the purposes of the residual magic tactical feat the second spell does not count as being modified by metamagic. Thus one can not use the second spell to modify a third.

EMPOWER SPELL-LIKE ABILITY [GENERAL]
The creature can use a spell-like ability with greater effect than
normal.
Prerequisite: Spell-like ability at caster level 6th or higher.
Benefit: Choose one of the creature’s spell-like abilities, subject
to the restrictions below. The creature can use that ability as an
empowered spell-like ability three times per day (or less, if the
ability is normally usable only once or twice per day).
When a creature uses an empowered spell-like ability, all variable,
numeric effects of the spell-like ability are increased by one half.
An empowered spell-like ability does half again as much
damage as normal, cures half again as many hit points, affects half
again as many targets, and so on as appropriate. For example, a
night hag’s empowered magic missile deals 1-1/2 times normal
damage (roll 1d4+1 and multiply the result by 1-1/2 for each missile).
Saving throws and opposed rolls (such as the one made when
a character casts dispel magic) are not affected. Spell-like abilities
without random variables are not affected.
The creature can only select a spell-like ability duplicating a
spell with a level less than or equal to half its caster level (round
down) –2. For a summary, see the table in the description of the
Quicken Spell-Like Ability feat. For example, a creature that uses
its spell-like abilities as a 13th-level caster can only empower spell like
abilities duplicating spells of 4th level or lower.
Special: This feat can be taken multiple times. Each time it is
taken, the creature can apply it to a different one of its spell-like
abilites.

[OldTrees]

I guess I misremembered. I was sure the ____ Spell-like ability feats were counted as metamagic. I was wrong.

Edit: on closer examination the metamagic effect from the original Residual Metamagic doesn't chain. (the copy I was referencing appears to be the other DM's houserules)

[Optimystik]

Spell to Power Erudites effectively gain all cantrips they learn as psi-like abilities. They can manifest them a number of times per day equal to 3 + their PP at first level - depending on your race and ability modifiers, this can be quite high.

[2xMachina]

How much magic/psi transparency are we using?

Strictly, the SCM mentions Spells, so Powers doesn't really work. Unless you say Psi is Magic, but different.

Also, it's a bit iffy that SLA counts as spells, and thus eligible to SCM.

[Tokiko Mima]

Oh well, it was a good idea.

How about this one for a spell addict: You could use a 9th level slot with Innate Spell on a Heightened Earth Spelled silent image. Since it counts as a 2nd level spell, Shadow Illusion allows you to use it to recreate any 1st level Evocation or Conjuration (Creation/Summoning) spell.

Infinite magic missiles and obscuring mists, all the unseen servants you could ever want, and a limitless stream of summon monster I's to find traps/die for you could go a long way towards satisfying someone that always wants to be surrounded by spellcraft or constantly casting.

You could also add the Extraordinary Concentration feat so you could have two silent images active at once.

[shadow_archmagi]

Edit: on closer examination the metamagic effect from the original Residual Metamagic doesn't chain. (the copy I was referencing appears to be the other DM's houserules)

I was going to say "Using the residual metamagic will upgrade ONE of them, but it only sticks around the once."

[Eldariel]

I also feel compelled to point out Echoing Spell from Secrets of Xen'drik. While not infinite per ce, thanks to Earth Spell CL buffs, it allows you to cast a spell of any level very many times per day.

[Runestar]

It is not exactly at-will, but the recharge magic variant from UA would allow you to eventually cast miracles once every round.

[Tyndmyr]

Mnemonic Enhancer? I mean, sure, it's not actually infinite, but it allows you to convert one spell slot, which you were gonna use for a silent image anyway, to three.

For added fun, buy wands of them. Preferably eternal wands of them crafted by a caster with Sanctum Spell. Every eternal wand you buy, you get another 6 silent images per day.

In my experience, you never actually need infinite spell slots. A ridiculously large finite number is generally adequate.

[OldTrees]

good point about Mnemonic Enhancer

I desire to cast 1 max slot per day followed by ~16hours of 0th level spells (9600 spells)

Assuming a 20th level illusionist (not focused as that would deprive me of some precious Mnemonic Enhancers)

Assuming 18+2(gnome)+5(levels)+3(venerable because I like frail elderly spellcasters)+6(headband)=32Int[+11 modifier]

Assuming Arcane Thesis (Mnemonic Enhancers), Easy Metamagic (x2), Repeat Spell, Twin Spell, Arcane Disciple (Luck)

Spells per day 0-9
0th /1st /2nd/3rd /4th /5th/6th/7th /8th /9th
4+1/7+1/7+1/7+1/6+1/6+1/6+1/6+1/5+1/5+1

5 initial Silent Images [0th] 5 Silent Images
6 Mnemonic Enhancers [4th] +36 Silent Images
6 Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers [5th] +72 Silent images
6 Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers [6th] +72 Silent images
6 Twinned Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers [7th] +144 Silent Images
5 Twinned Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers [8th] +120 Silent Images
5 Twinned Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers [9th] +120 Silent Images

Total: 5+36+36+72+72+144+120+120=605 Silent Images per day

Next by casting my 9th level illusionist spell (heightened Silent image) followed by the 605 Silent Images (using my DM's residual metamagic variant)
I can cast 606 Miricales to mimic 606 Twinned Repeated Mnemonic Enhancers

This gains me 14544 silent images which is more than enough.

[Roderick_BR]

The only way I know of was a 3.0 feat that makes a spell be castable at will, but the level modifier is +8, meaning that you pretty much sacrifices a 8th or 9th level slot. It's in Tome & Blood.

As a minor rant, I think the shadow conjuration/evocation line of spells is stupid.A single spell mimicing a whole school? Overpowered, even if it allows an extra save.

The Instrument spell is actually a calling bard spell (it actually brings a real non-used instrument from some place. The description even mentions that some bards add a coin to it before it goes back as payment for the trouble).

[Zaydos]

Sudden Metamagic effects can be applied to spell-like abilities (Sudden Maximize, Sudden Empower, etc).

[Analytica]

How about abusing Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror?

Whenever you might fail a save to be shaken, you can cast an additional cantrip. Maintain a high Will save and use either an item or a creature with a fear aura that you have targetting yourself every round, but with a low save DC. I imagine maybe some piece of jewelry that might shake anyone looking into it.

[Optimystik]

How about abusing Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror?

Whenever you might fail a save to be shaken, you can cast an additional cantrip. Maintain a high Will save and use either an item or a creature with a fear aura that you have targetting yourself every round, but with a low save DC. I imagine maybe some piece of jewelry that might shake anyone looking into it.

Or combine with Nightmare Spinner (CM) - you can make yourself shaken 3 + Cha mod times per day, plus an additional time from casting a visual illusion and autofailing your save. The two fit together somewhat thematically as well.

[Analytica]

The really nifty thing with Dread Witch is that I really see no reason it couldn't be used every round, throughout the day. Doesn't even take an action, if, say, you have a cohort continually trying to shake you.

[Optimystik]

The really nifty thing with Dread Witch is that I really see no reason it couldn't be used every round, throughout the day. Doesn't even take an action, if, say, you have a cohort continually trying to shake you.

There indeed does not seem to be any limit.

Cohort: "Um...boo?"
Witch: I fail my save! ACK! *cantrip*

[Grumman]

Edit: I could not find hedge mage with google.

It's called Hedge Wizard, sorry. It was made by Mongoose.

[Analytica]

It gets even better. You get the benefit even if you succeed on the save. I knew that choir of freshly snipped pedophiles was good for something...

AND if you can get Panic, you can cast 2nd-level spells for free each round.