Why do Sorcerers have to take a full round action to use a metamagic rod?

[lukelightning]

Why do they take a full round? Because those vain SOB's (Sons of Bahamut; they think they're dragons) have to spend time posing and looking cool when they do their magic.

 

[KarinsDad]

Well, if clerics used arcane spells then sure. But they don't, so I'm not sure about the point of your question here. (actually I am sure, but I think it is irrelevant).

The point is that not all items should work the same for all classes. Classes have pros and cons and items do not have to try to balance that every time.

 

[Artoomis]

...Since the description implies that a wizard using the rod does not require more time, the only logical conclusion I can see is that the wizard using the rod does not apply the feat on the spot to a spell not prepared in a metamagic form in advance.

Thus, I reject the FAQ answer, and conclude that the wizard uses the rod when preparing spells, just as he would if he had the feat.

-Hyp.

I agree.

"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. A sorcerer still must take a full-round action when using a metamagic rod, just as if using a metamagic feat he possesses. "

The description itself does not give a Wizard the ability to instantly apply the feat's benefits.

I do not know why anyone whould think a wizard would "apply a metamagic effect 'on the
fly' when casting the spell to be affected." Silly FAQ entry.

Ah well, nobody's perfect...

 

[BASHMAN]

I don't know of any good reason for the base rule about spontaneous meta-magc, so no, I can't think of a good reason for extending it to a meta-magic rod.

The reason is quickened spell. They don't want a sorcerer to quicken any spell he wants whenever he wants to. By making it a full round action, he never can cast a quickened spell.

 

[IanB]

As a semi-tangent, I allow sorcerers to quicken spells via the rod (and also cast metamagic spells without an increase in casting time generally, when using metamagic rods) in my game and it does not seem to have broken anything.

I think either that, or Hyp's solution that forces wizards to take the increased casting time (basically the opposite of how I do it) are really the only solutions that have any consistency to them.

 

[Thanee]

I agree.

Ditto. As I said a few times already, I guess.

You gain the ability to use the feat (without the need for a higher slot, 3 times per day), nothing more nothing less. The feat should therefore be used as it is used normally.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jhulae]

That is also true, to varying extents, of Warmages, Bards, Favoured Souls, Dread Necromancers, and others. Why should they be different?


glass.

Except that all the spontaneous casters you mention - Warmages, Bards, etc. - would also take the full round (as is implied) and also have the same 'tons of spell slots' to spend on the same spell over and over.

Again, I really don't see the problem with the FAQ answer, but I wouldn't have a problem being in a game where it was changed to not be full round for spontaneous casters.

 

[Suzaku]

What about Mages of the arcane order which allows to borrow spells from the spell pool but you have certain amount of time repay the spell pool to access again.

 

[GeorgeFields]

Why punish Sorcerers?

Is there any good reason for this?

Because they are still n00bs.