Metamagic Feats - do you use them?

Tilla the Hun (work) · Dec 17, 2003

If you do - why do you use them instead of researching a new spell at the modified level?

I'm talking primarily about the painful +3 to +4 spell slot level metamagic feats, not the 0 to 1 range (energy substitution, etc.)

1000 gp / Spell Level plus 1 week / 1000 gp... You can research a maximized whatever for far less cost than that feat...

Who here would not like to have additional feats as a wizard by researching new spells to duplicate metamagic feats?

DanMcS · Dec 17, 2003

Tilla the Hun (work) said:
If you do - why do you use them instead of researching a new spell at the modified level?

I'm talking primarily about the painful +3 to +4 spell slot level metamagic feats, not the 0 to 1 range (energy substitution, etc.)

1000 gp / Spell Level plus 1 week / 1000 gp... You can research a maximized whatever for far less cost than that feat...

Who here would not like to have additional feats as a wizard by researching new spells to duplicate metamagic feats?

Metamagics work on every spell, not just the one you researched to behave similarly. An elemental substitution feat works on every elemental damaging spell you have. Sonic bolt, sonicball, delayed blast sonicball, sonic swarm. Those four spells right there would run you, what, 20 or 21 grand? But wait, you can also sonickize chain lightning, cone of cold, burning hands, ray of frost, those orb spells from Tome and Blood, and any other acid, lightning, fire, or cold spell you come across. Yeah, that's cheaper than a feat

Olive · Dec 17, 2003

My PCs rarely have 1000gp of straight cash, let alone several thousand. Researching new spells is a serious business. Using metamagic is far more flexible and useful.

dulsin · Dec 17, 2003

I have never liked Metamagic feats much. They have alwasy seem very costly for what you get out of them. I normaly don't use them until I start using level 5 spells. At that point a quickened MM and empowered fireball looks like a pretty nasty one two punch.

Thornir Alekeg · Dec 17, 2003

My wizard has not used them, I have trouble justifying the higher spell slot. He has instead been focusing his feats on magic item creation instead.

Crothian · Dec 17, 2003

Use them all the time. My sorcerer is third level with three meta magic feats. I'm really enjoying the versatility meta magic feats alows.

Piratecat · Dec 17, 2003

I wouldn't let someone research an "always quickened" fireball or an "always maximized" lightning bolt, not when the feats are available.

Ranes · Dec 17, 2003

I use them all the time and they're part of the reason I would argue that third edition is the finest incarnation of D&D to date. And in the game I run, NPCs agree and also use them.

Well, you asked.

Numion · Dec 17, 2003

I used quicken spell with my archer cleric.

At 12th level it's +4 / +4 to damage, so it means around 1.1 X (Arrows hit x 4) extra damage, which might be something like 40-50 points of damage with a 5th level spell. I put an extra 1.1 modifier there because some arrows that would've missed now would hit, because of the spell.

I'm not sure if pure mathematical analysis would warrant it's use, as divine favor is just a 1st level spell by itself, but not an option without quickening if I'm using the divine power also. One round for buffing is ok, 2 not so much.

Oh, I guess this thread was mostly for wizards. In that vein, our group has never used those spell-development rules, so the point is moot.

Trainz · Dec 17, 2003

The Sorceror in the campaign I run uses them all the time. After seeing him go for a while, when my Pally died in the game I PLAY in, well I couldn't resist and rolled-up a sorceror.

For now I have energy substitution (acid) and intend to grab Empower at 6th. I also got precise shot to use with scorching ray (my favourite spell BY FAR).

Hi Crothian !

I'm currently a 4th sorceror. You're going to feel it when you reach 4th. Power-wise, the difference is astounding between a 3rd and 4th sorceror. At no other level will you feel it that much. Power. Yeah.