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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 3039770" data-attributes="member: 2011">It depends on how you interpret Arcane Thesis. If it is -2 per metamagic feat when combined with Improved Metamagic, then it is broken because there are a lot of ways to abuse it. It does not matter is Arcane Thesis is for only a single spell. If that one spell can be turned into a powerhouse nightmare, then there is a problem.A potential 232 points of damage per target from a single spell at 15th level means an average of 15.5 points of damage per level if both saves are failed (i.e. insta-kill for almost all enemies unless they are immune to cold), ~12 points of damage if one save is failed and the other is made (still pretty deadly), and ~8 points of damage if both saves are made (which is still pretty auto-deadly to arcane types like Wizards, Bards, and Sorcerers).Think about it. Not every opponent will be in such an area of effect both rounds, but this is basically death for the vast majority of creatures that are. Most creatures will on average fail one saving throw and make the other and still die. And some creatures will die even if they make both saves. And, that is for creatures at full hit points.The example I gave does have a limitation (i.e. you have to be in the area both rounds for it to work fully), but there are battlefield control spells that can pretty much ensure that. Balance is not just about what works on its own, but what works when combined with other rules.Note: I think there is a Sticky Feat that can be added to this that entangles creatures hit by the spell. So as a 9th level spell, you could have a 15D6 Sticky Repeating Empowered Maximized Cone of Cold which is almost auto-death against most opponents (except Rogues, creatures with Freedom of Movement, creatures immune to cold, or until high Epic levels). Yikes! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />If the DM pulled this stunt against the PCs with a single spell, do you think the players would consider this balanced and fair? If not, why should a PC get to do it?</blockquote>

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