9th Level Spells and Metamagic Rods

rushlight · Jun 30, 2003

Alright, this may seem obvious to some of you, but I have a question.

Could an 18th level wizard use a Rod of Maximazation (or any other...) while casting a 9th level spell? Assume that wizard has a high INT.

Thanks!

Hypersmurf · Jun 30, 2003

He'd need a 19 Int and a Greater Rod, but yes.

-Hyp.

rushlight · Jun 30, 2003

Doesn't that put him in Epic territory, without any Epic feats or levels? Is this just not a problem?

Ravellion · Jun 30, 2003

rushlight said:
Doesn't that put him in Epic territory, without any Epic feats or levels? Is this just not a problem?

No, it doesn't and no it isn't. The items are limited and were not meant designed with Epic rules anyway, which are basically just an add on. There are many more items that are arguably transforming characters to do epic abilities.

Xael · Jun 30, 2003

rushlight said:
Doesn't that put him in Epic territory, without any Epic feats or levels? Is this just not a problem?

Have you seen the price tag on those things? If I remember right (too lazy to fetch the book) one of those costed something near 200 000 - 300 000 gold pieces.

Stalker0 · Jun 30, 2003

Xael said:
Have you seen the price tag on those things? If I remember right (too lazy to fetch the book) one of those costed something near 200 000 - 300 000 gold pieces.

Yep, greater quickening rod has a tag of 340, 200 gp or about half of a 20th character's wealth.

I'd say its a fair tradeoff

Tzarevitch · Jul 1, 2003

I can't remember if it is errata or an early 3.5 rule but wasn't there something about the caster actually being required to be able to cast a spell-slot of that level even if he has some means of not actually paying the metamagic cost? In other words he can't quicken a 9th level spell even with the metamagic rod because he doesn't have the ability to cast 13th lvl spells.

Please correct me if I am wrong but I know I saw that somewhere.

Tzarevitch

Hypersmurf · Jul 1, 2003

I can't remember if it is errata or an early 3.5 rule but wasn't there something about the caster actually being required to be able to cast a spell-slot of that level even if he has some means of not actually paying the metamagic cost? In other words he can't quicken a 9th level spell even with the metamagic rod because he doesn't have the ability to cast 13th lvl spells.

That's for the Incantatrix and "Improved Metamagic".

I don't believe it applies to metamagic rods - the rods doesn't adjust the cost of any metamagic feats the character applies to the spell, it applies its own feat.

-Hyp.

green slime · Jul 2, 2003

Those things are just so horribly expensive anyway.

So the wizard casts a maximized meteor swarm.

There are a lot of other things I'd rather spend my money on, as a 20th level wizard.

340,000 gp will get you:

28 Vibrant Purple Ioun Stones...(28*6 spell levels = 168 spell levels, max level 6th) (Might I suggest 26 of these and goggles of x-ray vision, so you can see where you are going?)

or

3 rings of Wizardry IV, (You need a hand of glory to wear them, but the 40,000 gp you have left more than covers that expense) You now cast 20+ 4th level spells.

or

Tome of Clear Thought, and a Manual of Bobily Health +5 inherent bonus to Int and Con, and a +6 headband of intellect, with 29,000 gp left over!! (adds a +11 to base spellcasting stat, so assuming base 16, +4 levels, you have gained1 1st, 2 2nd, 1 3rd, 1 4th, 1 5th, 2 6th, 1 7th, 1 8th, and 1 9th level spells extra.