Heighten Spell and metamagic?

[hammymchamham]

If I use a empowered fireball heightened to a 9th level spell, whats the Save DC? As a 9th level spell or as a 7th?

 

[mikebr99]

It would be a 9th level spell for DC.

Heighten Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit: A heightened spell has a higher spell level than normal (up to 9th level). Unlike other metamagic feats, Heighten Spell
actually increases the effective level of the spell that it modifies. All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs
and ability to penetrate a minor globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the heightened level. The heightened spell
is as difficult to prepare and cast as a spell of its effective level.

Mike

 

[the Jester]

I'd rule 7th. Otherwise, when you heighten a spell, you get all the other metamagics you can slap on it for free (up to the level adjustment of the heighten).

 

[AuraSeer]

the Jester is correct.

You first Heighten the spell to 7th level, changing the DC. Then you Empower it, making it a 9th-level spell with the save of a 7th.

 

[hammymchamham]

what I thought, thanks

 

[Antikinesis]

the Jester is correct.

You first Heighten the spell to 7th level, changing the DC. Then you Empower it, making it a 9th-level spell with the save of a 7th.

Alternatively, you could Empower the spell, requiring a 5th-level spell slot, with the save of a 3rd level spell (since metamagic, with few exceptions, has no effect on the save DC). Then you can heighten it to a 7th-level spell spell-DC that'll take a 9th-level slot to cast.

It's communitative.

-AK

 

[Merlion]

I'd rule 7th. Otherwise, when you heighten a spell, you get all the other metamagics you can slap on it for free (up to the level adjustment of the heighten).

That would defeat the purpose of Heighten Spell though...since raising the DC is all it does

 

[Spatzimaus]

That would defeat the purpose of Heighten Spell though...since raising the DC is all it does

And that's not enough? Save DC is probably the biggest factor in whether a spellcaster is successful in combat. By using Heighten, you can keep those lower-level combat spells useful for a lot longer.

Besides, raising DC isn't the only thing it does. It also lets you bypass the Globes of Invulnerability or similar effects.

Anyway, to the original question: 7th.

 

[Merlion]

Yea I realized I ommited that after I posted.
Not saying its a bad feat. Just saying why bother to heighten and maximize if your not gonna get the higher dc...unless you know your gonna be dealing with globes of invulnerability.

 

[AuraSeer]

Just saying why bother to heighten and maximize if your not gonna get the higher dc...unless you know your gonna be dealing with globes of invulnerability.

Say what? You do get the higher DC, for the amount you Heightened by. But adding other metamagic feats does not increase the DC any more.

A Maximized Fireball uses a 6th level slot, but allows saves as for 3rd.
A Maximized Fireball, Heightened by one level, uses a 7th level slot and allows saves as for 4th.