How Do Metamagic Rods Work For Preparation Spellcasters?

[Arg-ha Lardgoa]

Once again you must maintain proper concentration during prep as stated in the prep section. cast a spell or using a magic item breaks concentration during prep

 

[wildstarsreach]

These rods should be compared to the 'Sudden Metamagic' feats out of the Complete Arcane. They are done at the time of casting. This makes it simplier to make rulings.

If the rods were re-written, The should read as if the had the Sudden 'appropriate feat' usable 3 times a day.

The Sudden feat have no regard to spell level and have no increasing of casting time.

An exception might be a Sorcerer who always has to extend to full round whenever he applies a metamagic feat unless he is a metamagic specialist.

 

[Infiniti2000]

If we are to assume that Thanee and others thinking at the point of memorization is right, then x wizard prepares a fireball with a maximize rod. Later he decides to scribe that spell to scroll. It is at the 3rd level for purposes of xp and monetary costs. But he gets a maximized scroll. This is abusive. At the time of casting is the only way to proceed.

Not surprisingly, this exact same comment can be made for the other interpretation.

It's a lose-lose scenario!

 

[takasi]

If we are to assume that Thanee and others thinking at the point of memorization is right, then x wizard prepares a fireball with a maximize rod. Later he decides to scribe that spell to scroll. It is at the 3rd level for purposes of xp and monetary costs. But he gets a maximized scroll. This is abusive. At the time of casting is the only way to proceed.

Can anyone else confirm if this is true?

If using the rod gives you the benefit of the feat 3 times per day without increasing the casting time and you rule that you can use the rod at preparation then can you scribe the metamagic'd spell into low level scroll?

Could another caster then use that scroll?

 

[KarinsDad]

Once again you must maintain proper concentration during prep as stated in the prep section. cast a spell or using a magic item breaks concentration during prep

Nowhere in the preparation quote you mentioned does it state that magical item use is not allowed.

You are adding that to the text.

For example, a failed saving throw is a distraction. A successful one is not. Hence, if a PC use activated his Cloak of Resistance in order to get a saving throw bonus and successfully saved against a spell, according to your claim here, he would be distracted, even though successful saving throws are not on the list of distractions.

To prepare any spell, a wizard must have enough peace, quiet, and comfort to allow for proper concentration. The wizard’s surroundings need not be luxurious, but they must be free from overt distractions. Exposure to inclement weather prevents the necessary concentration, as does any injury or failed saving throw the character might experience while studying.

 

[takasi]

I think the keywords there though are "proper concentration". Wouldn't magic item use disrupt spells (or abilities like bardic music) that required concentration???

 

[KarinsDad]

I think the keywords there though are "proper concentration". Wouldn't magic item use disrupt spells (or abilities like bardic music) that required concentration???

It depends on the DM.

The rules do not actually state this. In fact, the literal reading of Metamagic Rods is that they give the use of the feat and the feat is used during preparation for prep casters, hence, Metamagic Rods by definition imply they do not interfere with "proper concentration", just like adding the metamagic feat normally does not interfere with "proper concentration".

 

[delericho]

Why?

The short answer is: on principle.

The longer answer is that the FAQ ruling is unfair to Sorcerers. Their longer metamagic casting time is balanced by the Wizard's need to prepare. If the rods do not require that the Wizard prepare the spells in advance, the Sorcerer should not require a longer casting time.

More to the point, the rods give the caster the ability to use the feat, and are use-activated. The method via which Wizards use metamagic feats is at spell preparation, and therefore that should be the case here, unless an exception is spelled out. No exception is given.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I mean, the wielder is limited, but what happens when you change wielders?

If I use a Pearl of Power to regain a spell, then pass it to my friend, can he use it to regain a spell as well?

I'd say that if one person uses the rod to cast two Enlarged spells, then passes it to another person, 'the wielder' has so far cast two Enalrged spells today, and 'the wielder' (whoever it might be) can only cast one more today.

Then is this possible, and if not why not?

Note that I've previously stated that my own ruling would be that the caster can have no more than three spells prepared with the use of a particular rod at any given time, so this wouldn't be an issue.

-Hyp.

 

[takasi]

In fact, the literal reading of Metamagic Rods is that they give the use of the feat and the feat is used during preparation for prep casters, hence, Metamagic Rods by definition imply they do not interfere with "proper concentration", just like adding the metamagic feat normally does not interfere with "proper concentration".

"Possession of a metamagic rod does not confer the associated feat on the owner, only the ability to use the given feat a specified number of times per day."

...

"All the rods described here are use-activated (but casting spells in a threatened area still draws an attack of opportunity)."

...

"The wielder can cast up to three spells per day that are empowered as though using the Empower Spell feat. "

I think the key word here is SPECIFIED.

Where exactly does it specify how many times you can use the feat to prepare spells?

The only SPECIFIED NUMBER OF TIMES per day that usage is limited is during casting. No where in the rules does it mention preparation, yet the "ability to USE THE FEAT" should list a specified number of times per day according to the rules.

If you conclude that you must USE THE FEAT during preparation, then you are technically using the feat more than the specified number of times you can cast the spells.

When exactly are you using the feat? If you are using it during preparation you must also use the feat during casting correct?

Here's a question:

A wizard with a metamagic feat decides to retrain using the process in PHB 2. He prepares his spells USING his metamagic feat. He loses this metamagic feat. Can he still cast these memorized spells even though he lost the feat?