Is this an exceptable "variant" magical to introduce to a campaign

[Sir ThornCrest]

Would you allow a wand that effects all fire based spells cast by the Wizard as if cast with this choice a widen spell feat or a empowered spell feat?

We alter DM'ing in our group every so often. This allows for different styles of gaming from a lot of detailed roll playing too just pure unrestrained hack in slash, all DM's differ, perhaps ours more than others. So one of the guys during his turn to DM decided to introduce a enemy with a magic wand that was feat based. I never heard of that, so I questioned the premise. And the DM said the Wizard who made it was a elementalist Wizard of fire. So I didnt pry any more. Nor have I ever heard of this kinda thing, is it a good idea? It doesnt cost the Wizard any higher spell slots so Im assuming he's gonna really like that.

 

[Crothian]

it seems like a slightly altered meta magic rod, so not problem at all.

 

[Pseudonym]

I wouldn't allow it it my game, as described. The metamagic rods are usable three times a day; in wand form you have the potential for 50 uses in a day, should a caster decide to blow the wad.

In a PC's hands, it would be a nice plus for an evoker or blasty type such as a sorcerer or warlock; in a NPC's hands for a single encounter, it'd be a bit overwhelming if done well. Especially if PCs are given to forming in "blast me formation" ripe for a Widened (from the wand) Empowered or Maximized (from the caster) flamestrike.

With some tweaking, perhaps, but I'd definately include an uper limit to spell level it could effect.

 

[Jolly Giant]

Just let me nit-pick a bit first of all: If I interpret you correctly I wouldn't call it a wand, but a rod.

Still assuming I'm getting you correctly, this item essentially functions like a meta-magic rod but with 3 major differences:

1) It let's you choose between 2 feats
2) There's no cap on uses per day
3) It only affects fire-spells

Based on the prizes of normal metamagic rods, I'd say the value of such an item would be somewhere between 1 and 2 million GP. I don't know what kind of level your campaign is at, but according to the ELH an NPC would need to be around level 40 to have that kind of treasure. And I assume that wasn't his only possession?

If the item in question had a limited number of uses; if it's like a wand and is used up after 50 uses, that would of course decrease the value significantly. Maybe to something like 500.000GP.

NB! All these values are quick, rough estimates! But the campaign I'm running went into epic levels two years ago, so I have some experience with calculating prices for highly valuable items.

In conclusion: The item doesn't conform completely with the rules, but it's not so far off that I have any real problems with it either. It's okay, for an EPIC campaign...