Best Metamagic Feats

[Man-thing]

Spell Thematics is another one I enjoy, even though all it really does is affect spellcraft checks. Can't beat it for coolness!

Agreed. I use Spell Thematics in place of Spellflash for the Glantri 2e book. Its not mechanic bonus but more of a style bonus. Where is the wonder in magic if everyone's magic missile are little glowing balls of force, I like mine a tiny flaming skulls.

 

[Kvantum]

Persistent Spell. OK, the 3.5 version is +6 levels, but damn if it's not worth it for some spells, especially the divine ones. Persistent Divine Favor, anyone?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't recall the original source for Elemental Spellcasting, but it is reprinted in Dieties and Demigods.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

What book are the Sudden Metamagic feats in?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I believe those are in Complete Arcane.

 

[Wish]

I'm a big fan of Empower through the mid levels. At 10th level, your Cone of Cold takes a 5th level slot and does 35 damage on average. Your Empowered Fireball takes a 5th level slot for 52 damage on average. Pretty nice. Of course, at higher levels the bigger die cap on the higher level spells balances things out.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Of course, there's always the silliness of Energy Admixture and Innate Spell.

Side note- did Innate Spell become +8 levels and require Quicken spell as a prereq in 3.5? If so, Innate Spell needs to be punted.

 

[KarinsDad]

I'm a big fan of Empower through the mid levels. At 10th level, your Cone of Cold takes a 5th level slot and does 35 damage on average. Your Empowered Fireball takes a 5th level slot for 52 damage on average. Pretty nice.

But, you must also remember that the DC is 2 better for the Cone of Cold.

18 stat caster, spell DC 19 versus spell DC 17

Low Reflex 10th level opponent (+5 for example)


45% chance 26 points + 55% chance 52 points

versus

35% chance 17 points + 65% chance 35 points


Empowered Fireball averages: 40

Cone of Cold averages: 29

Not quite the 50% increase that it first appeared (in this case), closer to 40%. Still good though, but 10th level is the optimal level for this (or again at 15th level for Empowered Cone of Cold versus Delayed Blast Fireball).


And against a 10th level Rogue with a Reflex save of +11, it becomes:

Empowered Fireball averages: 13 (6 with Improved Evasion)

Cone of Cold averages: 12 (6 with Improved Evasion)

Not significantly better at all against this type of opponent. It all depends on the situation.

 

[Xeoble]

Clarification:

There are two homebrew races that i'm considering for this sorcerer or warmage

Either
-2 str, -2 dex, +2 int, +4 wis, +2 cha

Or
-2 str, +2 dex, -2 con, +2 wis, +2 cha

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

??
Last post ... confuses me.

Either way, that's a net +4/+2 stat bonus. The race would need to have almost no other abilities, even minor ones, or would need a LA.

Heighten Spell is ... eehhhhhh ... I've contemplated giving it to Sorc's as a free bonus feat.

I'll honestly say the only metamagic I've ever taken is Extend, once. To be honest, compared to the other feats available out there I've just never really found them to be WORTH it. A feat only useful at 10th and 15th levels for a short period of time ... still not worth it ... I'd rather something so small and randomly useful as Spell Penetration, personally ... which is especially useful when you come upon pretty much any Outsider and the random Drow.

If I had to choose, I'd say only Still and Silent, and only for a sorc. They're specific counters for specific debuffs and really only decent for a Sorc, who can use them WHEN those situations warrant.

Which is really unfortunate. I like Metamagic as an IDEA, but the costs are just too high with the way D&D's larger magic system is structured.

--fje