Beguiler and Heighten Spell

[afata5]

How does this work?

If i'm a level 4 Gnome Beguiler, I have Heighten Spell, can I spontaniously cast my lvl 1 spell (ex: color spray) and make it a lvl 2 spell (taking the slot of a level 2 spell without advanced preperation)?

Thanks,

Al

 

[UltimaGabe]

I'm not familiar with the Beguiler's spell progression, but if you've got 2nd-level spell slots, then yes, you can use Heighten Spell to increase a 1st-level spell spontaneously to a 2nd-level spell. As such, it would use a higher DC (the save DC would be that of a 2nd-level spell, as opposed to a 1st-level spell). However, doing so would take a Full-Round Action to cast, rather than just a Standard action, since you're applying the metamagic feat on the fly.

 

[afata5]

Ahhh...ok thats the change that i didn't understand. A full round...

I was wondering then, can i cast a spell while Hiding? If i use the Conceal Spellcasting skill trick (stops people from noticing that you are casting a spell)? I am just trying to see how i can use the highten spell feat with the least chance of getting crapped on and miss my spell

Just wondering

Al

 

[Mistwell]

Ahhh...ok thats the change that i didn't understand. A full round...

I was wondering then, can i cast a spell while Hiding? If i use the Conceal Spellcasting skill trick (stops people from noticing that you are casting a spell)? I am just trying to see how i can use the highten spell feat with the least chance of getting crapped on and miss my spell

Just wondering

Al

I don't see why you couldn't use the Conceal Spellcasting skill trick to cast while hiding, unless that trick requires it's own action.

 

[udalrich]

You might also be overlooking that adding metamagic on the fly is a full round action, not a full round casting time. They sound similar, but there's a big difference.

If you're casting a spell with a full round casting time (e.g., almost anybody casting Summon Monster I), you're casting until the start of your next turn. Everybody gets to attack you and interrupt your spell on their initiative, and (I think) they even get an AoO if they walk up to you.

If you're casting a spell with as a full round action (e.g., a sorcerer casting a heightened Color Spray), you're casting until the end of your turn. Unless somebody is already next to you or has a readied action, nobody is able to interrupt you. You can't do anything else on your turn except free actions or a single swift action, but it's not much of a limitation except when you need your move action.

 

[Mistwell]

You might also be overlooking that adding metamagic on the fly is a full round action, not a full round casting time. They sound similar, but there's a big difference.

If you're casting a spell with a full round casting time (e.g., almost anybody casting Summon Monster I), you're casting until the start of your next turn. Everybody gets to attack you and interrupt your spell on their initiative, and (I think) they even get an AoO if they walk up to you.

If you're casting a spell with as a full round action (e.g., a sorcerer casting a heightened Color Spray), you're casting until the end of your turn. Unless somebody is already next to you or has a readied action, nobody is able to interrupt you. You can't do anything else on your turn except free actions or a single swift action, but it's not much of a limitation except when you need your move action.

You can also take a 5' step.

 

[afata5]

I had misinterpretted it like a "Summon" type of spell for casting time. Thank you for the clarification! Now i'm much more happy with it....if only i knew what spells were fun to heighten (just joking )

Thank you very much for the education everyone

Al

 

[MarkB]

With several nice self-buff and party-buff spells on the Beguiler's list, you might want to look at Extend instead of / in addition to Heighten. Or you could get a Lesser Rod of Extend.

 

[Infiniti2000]

... and (I think) they even get an AoO if they walk up to you.

They do not. You only provoke when you start casting, even if it took you 1 minute (e.g. break enchantment). Long casting time spells don't suck that badly.

 

[Nifft]

You might also be overlooking that adding metamagic on the fly is a full round action, not a full round casting time. They sound similar, but there's a big difference.

If you're casting a spell with a full round casting time (e.g., almost anybody casting Summon Monster I), you're casting until the start of your next turn. Everybody gets to attack you and interrupt your spell on their initiative, and (I think) they even get an AoO if they walk up to you.

If you're casting a spell with as a full round action (e.g., a sorcerer casting a heightened Color Spray), you're casting until the end of your turn. Unless somebody is already next to you or has a readied action, nobody is able to interrupt you. You can't do anything else on your turn except free actions or a single swift action, but it's not much of a limitation except when you need your move action.

You're mostly right, but the distinction is between a "full-round action" (the shorter one which completes this round) and "1 round casting time" (which completes just before the start of your next action).

Swift < Move < Standard < Full-Round < "1 Round".

Cheers, -- N