Asking the Experts: Best Metamagic Feat?

[Shard O'Glase]

empower over all I'd say. Sure it depends on what spells you have etc, but it has a solid effect with a +2 level cost. Feats like quicken are dang near useless at +4 levels, sure being able to cast 2 spells is potent, but a feat and +4 spell levels potent not even close. Fact is the vast majority of the metamagic feats suck, they are a waste of space that only get taken because the only thing that is a bigger waste is taking the standard combat feats on a lame fighter like the wizard.

 

[MerakSpielman]

Well, I'll through in my 2 coppers... if you're heavy into illusions or enchantments, my vote is for heighten spell. Allows you to increse DCs on the spells, sometimes dramatically, especially when combined with school specilization.

I got a thing for heighten spell myself. It's variable. You can heighten a spell one level, or eight. Those first and second level spells that are useless because everybody can make the saving throw are suddenly useful again. It's useful for casters of all types and for spells of all levels.

I personally detest Quicken Spell. You can't use it at all until you can cast 5th level spells, usually around level 9. You can only apply it to spells of 5th level or lower - and that takes up 9th level spell slots!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Actually, the easiest way to counter that is with dimension door or teleport, both of which have only verbal components. Now, casting silence on yourself, followed by grappling the wizard...

Alternatively, if you can swing a full attack, grapple the wizard and then pin.

"At your option, you can prevent a pinned opponent from speaking."

-Hyp.

 

[HeavyG]

Alternatively, if you can swing a full attack, grapple the wizard and then pin.

"At your option, you can prevent a pinned opponent from speaking."

And that's why Silent Spell is the best "oh, no, you're not screwing my schtick that easily" metamagic feat.

Every high level wizard should have at least two silent dimension door spells prepared at all times.

 

[Hypersmurf]

And that's why Silent Spell is the best "oh, no, you're not screwing my schtick that easily" metamagic feat.

Not for sorcerers, it isn't

-Hyp.

 

[MorganKiller]

In 3.0 Energy substitution and Energy admixture from TaB were great.
Energy admixture allowes you to pull off some nasty sonic-ball or other unusual spells (and also pretty hard to resist). Acid and sonic resistances are pretty rare...

Energy admixture lets you shot a single 20d6 fireball at 13th level, combined with the above feat you can toss a sonic/acid fireball which is always a bad surprise... (If you happen to have quicken spell too you can go for 30d6 in a single round from 3 different elements... if your opponent still stands you might consider teleporting away )

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

From what I've seen in my games, the best are Empower, Silent, and Still.

 

[kirinke]

my favorites are silent spell, still spell and eschew materials

silent and still spell feats are absolutely perfect for an adventuring wizard, because if you are bound, and gagged or otherwize incapitated, you can still cast some spells with only verbal/somatic components.

the eschew materials spell is great for low level wizards as it keeps you from having to spend money and time finding bat poo, hair of a newt, eyes of toad etc.....

 

[Hypersmurf]

silent and still spell feats are absolutely perfect for an adventuring wizard, because if you are bound, and gagged or otherwize incapitated, you can still cast some spells with only verbal/somatic components.

... assuming you thought to prepare those spells.

Silent Dimension Door might get you out of a cell when you're gagged... but not if you decided to pack another Wall of Force that morning instead...

the eschew materials spell is great for low level wizards as it keeps you from having to spend money and time finding bat poo, hair of a newt, eyes of toad etc.....

... which you can pick up for 5gp at any magic shop

-Hyp.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Quicken? Couldn't disagree more. You are burning high level slots for very low level effects. Just Flamestrike away.

If I am playing a Wizard I am going to go for Silent Dimension Door.