Empower Spell Metamagic Feat

[Olaf the Stout]

Quick question in regards to the Empower Spell Metamagic Feat.

[sblock=Empower Spell]Empower Spell [Metamagic]

Benefit
All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by one-half.

Saving throws and opposed rolls are not affected, nor are spells without random variables. An empowered spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell’s actual level. [/sblock]

If a spell does 1d6+5 points of damage, does the empowered version of it do (1d6+5) x 1.5 points of damage or (1d6) x 1.5 + 5 points of damage. I have always ruled it as the former but for some reason I'm not so sure now. Looking it up in the SRD seems to indicate the latter to me.

Is there some extra text or an example given in the PHB? I don't have it with me at the moment to check.

Thanks,

Olaf the Stout

 

[SadisticFishing]

Actually, I got embarassed by this already, it does say in the PHB that it's the (1d6+5)x1.5. The example given is magic missile.

This makes it way better than I originally thought, as things like Ray of Enfeeblement are awesome when Empowered.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Actually, I got embarassed by this already, it does say in the PHB that it's the (1d6+5)x1.5. The example given is magic missile.

This makes it way better than I originally thought, as things like Ray of Enfeeblement are awesome when Empowered.

Thanks for that. I thought I remembered an example being given in the PHB. Without the example, it reads to me that it would be (1d6 x 1.5) + 5. And yes, an Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement is one of my favourite tactics against melee enemies.

Nothing like seeing the look on the DM's face when you reduce his Stone Giant's strength by 16 points!

Olaf the Stout

 

[Mistwell]

Actually, I got embarassed by this already, it does say in the PHB that it's the (1d6+5)x1.5. The example given is magic missile.

This makes it way better than I originally thought, as things like Ray of Enfeeblement are awesome when Empowered.

Yup! Empowered ROE is a great debuffer.

 

[Cameron]

Yup! Empowered ROE is a great debuffer.

*cough* Ray of Stupidity *cough*

Instant-kill for all animals, some magical beasts and most humans...

 

[Hammerhead]

*cough* Ray of Stupidity *cough*

Instant-kill for all animals, some magical beasts and most humans...

Really? (1d4+1) x 1.5 is enough to kill most humans? That's an average of 5.25. I don't think so.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Thanks for that. I thought I remembered an example being given in the PHB. Without the example, it reads to me that it would be (1d6 x 1.5) + 5.

What is the variable numeric effect of Magic Missile? It's the amount of damage you deal. So the variable numeric effect - the amount of damage you deal - is what's multiplied by 1.5.

The example makes it clear, but doesn't actually change anything.

-Hyp.

 

[SadisticFishing]

Really? (1d4+1) x 1.5 is enough to kill most humans? That's an average of 5.25. I don't think so.

I think the human thing was sarcasm

 

[Olaf the Stout]

*cough* Ray of Stupidity *cough*

Instant-kill for all animals, some magical beasts and most humans...

Isn't there a "can't reduce the stat to below 1" proviso on the spell?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Olaf the Stout]

What is the variable numeric effect of Magic Missile? It's the amount of damage you deal. So the variable numeric effect - the amount of damage you deal - is what's multiplied by 1.5.

The example makes it clear, but doesn't actually change anything.

-Hyp.

Without the example, I think you could argue that the variable effect is the bit where you have to roll a die. The +X amount isn't variable as it stays the same every time you cast the spell. It is just the 1d4 (or 2d4, 3d4, etc.,) bit that changes from casting to casting. In any case, the example makes it clear what the intentions of the feat are.

Olaf the Stout