Break this ability: Metamagic Chain

[calypso15]

I changed sorcerers so that they get abilities at 6, 12, and 18 chosen from a list. One of those, which seems cool, might be very breakable. So... how do you break this ability? (Note that they're intentionally more powerful than most feats).

Your metamagic spells feed off one another. When you cast a spell with a metamagic increase of at least 1, the next spell you cast (if it is cast before the end of your next turn) has the total level increase from metamagic feats applied to it decreased by 1 (to a minimum of 0). This decrease is cumulative, so if you continued casting metamagic enhanced spells with a level increase of at least one, the decrease would be -1 after the first, -2 after the second, and so on.

Thanks!

 

[DogBackward]

Well, it still takes a full round for a Sorceror to cast metamagiced spells, so it doesn't seem like a huge problem, esecially if you have to use them the next round to gain the benefits. Add the stipulation that you can't metamagic a spell that you couldn't cast without the lower cost*, and it should be fine.

* As in, a 8th level Sorceror couldn't use this to add an Empower to a Fireball, since that would normally take the level up to 5th, an the Sorc can't cast 5th level spells yet.

 

[Arkhandus]

I'd also add that it will not reduce the level of spell slot below the spell's actual level. So no using metamagic round after round until you're hurling Fireballs with 1st-level spell slots.

 

[calypso15]

I'd also add that it will not reduce the level of spell slot below the spell's actual level. So no using metamagic round after round until you're hurling Fireballs with 1st-level spell slots.

That limit is already present from this:

"the total level increase from metamagic feats applied to it decreased by 1 (to a minimum of 0)"

The thing I found interesting (and it wasn't entirely accidental) is that it's self-limiting. Eventually, the decrease is gonna get so large that you won't be able to apply enough metamagic feats to keep the increase to at least 1. And so the chain would start over.

Granted, if you built the character to do so, you could keep going for quite some time. But your average sorcerer is gonna peter out after maybe 4 rounds.

Calypso

 

[Pyrex]

With Maximize, Twin and Persistant Spell, it'll be a lot more than 4 rounds...

 

[DogBackward]

Yeah, but that quickly leaves you with a burnt-out Sorceror. Make it so you can't get ahold of it until 12th level. That way, you've got about 7 "useless" Sorceror levels to counteract the power of the ability, since you can't take a PrC if you want the Metamagic Chain ability. Or you could simply say that you can only continue the chain for 1 round per 2 caster levels.

 

[calypso15]

Or you could simply say that you can only continue the chain for 1 round per 2 caster levels.

I actually made a change similar to that last night:

Metamagic Chain: Your metamagic spells feed off one another. When you cast a spell with a metamagic increase of at least 1, the next spell you cast (if it is cast before the end of your next turn) has the total level increase from metamagic feats applied to it decreased by 1 (to a minimum of 0). You may chain up to three consecutive rounds for a final decrease of 3 in the fourth round. This ability may be taken a second time, increasing the maximum chain to 5 rounds for a final decrease of 5 in the sixth round.

Is that worded clearly?

 

[DogBackward]

Well, you said that it had to increase by +1 each round, above. So you should probably mention that. "In order to continue the chain, you must use metamagic feats totalling the same level increase you used last round, +1."

 

[szilard]

Do you allow the Metamagic Specialist variant Sorcerer? ...or any Sorcerer capable of using Quicken Spell?

-Stuart

 

[calypso15]

Do you allow the Metamagic Specialist variant Sorcerer? ...or any Sorcerer capable of using Quicken Spell?

I'm considering a feat that allows spontaneous casters to apply metamagic feats without increasing the casting time.