D&D 3E/3.5 3.5 Epic and Divine Rules - some questions

[SolitonMan]

1) At what caster level do relevant salient divine abilities operate? For example, Alter Reality behaves similar to a wish in its basic mode, and can mimic any 9th or lower level spell. But at what caster level does this spell effect occur? Generally I use the deity's character level (if any) + outsider HD (if any) + divine rank, but if there is a definitive ruling I'd rather use that.

2) Does the salient divine ability Spontaneous Wizard Spells allow the deity to spontaneously cast ANY wizard spell they know? Provided all other requirements are met, of course (wizard level, INT score, spell is in spellbook).

3) What happens if you apply another metamagic feat to a spell when you have taken Automatic Quicken Spell enough to have all 0-9 level spells automatically quickened? If you raise the effective level of the spell, does that then disqualify it for the automatic quickening?

Sorry if these are esoteric (or worse, answered somewhere already my search-fu was too weak to find). Thanks to anyone/everyone who can help me gain some understanding of this.

 

[FEADIN]

1) Mmmmmmm....at least 20th level but they are not spells.
2) I think thatit's yes.
3) You automaticaly quicken the spell slot even if it's already leveled up by another meatamagic feat unless it's higher than your quicken authorized level.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

3) You automaticaly quicken the spell slot even if it's already leveled up by another meatamagic feat unless it's higher than your quicken authorized level.

That's right. So, a maximized disintegrate (a 9th level spell) is automatically quickened, while a maximized horrid wilting (a 11th level spell) is not.


Edit: Bad Math

 

[Runestar]

That's right. So, a maximized disintegrate (a 9th level spell) is automatically quickened, while a maximized horrid wilting (a 11th level spell) is not.


Edit: Bad Math

A maximized horrid wilting is still a 8th lv spell, is it not?

A horrid wilting heightened to 11th lv would not be auto-quickened however. That is the only exception I am aware of.

 

[SolitonMan]

Thanks for the replies, I think that they help clarify everything for me except the whole issue of caster level for SDAs when relevant. Specifically, Alter Reality lets the deity duplicate any spell of 9th level or lower as a standard action. If the duplicated spell has an effect based on caster level, I still need to understand how to figure out what number to use.

For now I'll stick with the formula in my original post, unless someone has a reference to a better/more official ruling.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

A maximized horrid wilting is still a 8th lv spell, is it not?

A horrid wilting heightened to 11th lv would not be auto-quickened however. That is the only exception I am aware of.

That depends on what you mean by '8th level spell'. For its save DCs and ability to penetrate effects such as a globe of invulnerability, it is an 8th level spell. For effects such as the Intelligence score required to cast it and the level of the spell slot it takes up, it is 11th level.

I suppose that which version of 'spell level' you believe applies as regards the Automatic [Metamagic] feats could be open for interpretation.

 

[pawsplay]

1) At what caster level do relevant salient divine abilities operate? For example, Alter Reality behaves similar to a wish in its basic mode, and can mimic any 9th or lower level spell. But at what caster level does this spell effect occur? Generally I use the deity's character level (if any) + outsider HD (if any) + divine rank, but if there is a definitive ruling I'd rather use that.

There is not. Because it can act as a wish and beyond, I generally let it operate at an arbitrarily high level unless that creates an unworkable result. Bear's endurance with a permanent duration, mile-long walls of fire, and so forth are, in my opinion, well within the power of Alter Reality.

 

[Runestar]

For effects such as the Intelligence score required to cast it and the level of the spell slot it takes up, it is 11th level.

I need an int score of 18 to cast an empowered chain lightning, not 16?

Not that it matters (since a wizard's int score is likely to be much higher at this point anyways), but I have always thought that the only thing metamagic feats affect is the slot used by the spell.

 

[SolitonMan]

I need an int score of 18 to cast an empowered chain lightning, not 16?

Not that it matters (since a wizard's int score is likely to be much higher at this point anyways), but I have always thought that the only thing metamagic feats affect is the slot used by the spell.

I've had a chance to re-read the section in the Feats chapter in the PHB and it states under the section "Effects of Metamagic Feats on a Spell" that "In all ways, a metamagic spell operates at its original spell level, even though it is prepared and cast as a higher-level spell." Since no metmagic feat actually raises the level of the spell (save Heighten), I'm going to roll with the interpretation that any spell which qualifies for Automatic Quicken (or Still or Silent) prior to having other metamagic feats applied (again, save Heighten) will still be Quickened (or Stilled or Silent) even if the application of other (non-level raising) metamagic feats requires the use of a spell slot higher than 9th. YMMV.

On the Alter Reality issue, I like pawsplay's interpretation and will give that a try, in the odd case that it's actually ever relevant to my game and not just an exercise in curiosity.