Low ability score, high level spell slot and Reserve Feat?

[Herzog]

If you lack the ability score to cast high level spells, can you still prepare the spell at the high level for purpose of Reserve Feats (for instance, with Heighten Spell)?

 

[Starbuck_II]

If you lack the ability score to cast high level spells, can you still prepare the spell at the high level for purpose of Reserve Feats (for instance, with Heighten Spell)?

You can only prepare lower level spells in higher level slots (PHB says so).

Combined with Heightened spell...I guess it would count.

 

[rgard]

If you lack the ability score to cast high level spells, can you still prepare the spell at the high level for purpose of Reserve Feats (for instance, with Heighten Spell)?

I'd say no...I normally say yes to most cool ideas and I like where you are going with this, but...

"To learn, prepare, or cast a spell, the wizard must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a wizard’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. "

You need the ability score to learn and prepare as well as cast.

Edit: Starbuck II's solution should work.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Jack Simth]

You can only prepare lower level spells in higher level slots (PHB says so).

Combined with Heightened spell...I guess it would count.

Shouldn't work, actually.

See, Heighten Spell makes it a spell of that level, and you're required to have enough of a minimum ability score of 10+ spell level to prepare a spell. So if you are a Wizard-5 with an Int of 12 (why? Did you get Ability Drained?) and Heighten Spell, you can fill your 3rd level spell slot with a Scorching Ray, but not a Heightened to 3rd Scorching Ray.

 

[rgard]

Shouldn't work, actually.

See, Heighten Spell makes it a spell of that level, and you're required to have enough of a minimum ability score of 10+ spell level to prepare a spell. So if you are a Wizard-5 with an Int of 12 (why? Did you get Ability Drained?) and Heighten Spell, you can fill your 3rd level spell slot with a Scorching Ray, but not a Heightened to 3rd Scorching Ray.

Yes, I think you are right:

Heighten Spell [Metamagic]
Benefit
A heightened spell has a higher spell level than normal (up to a maximum of 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 lesser 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.

The last sentence seals it.

 

[Herzog]

I was afraid of that....

@Jack Simth:

(why? Did you get Ability Drained?)

I was trying to build a sneak attacking low level spell slinger while avoiding MAD.
So, if I could use the higher level spell slots for lower level, heightened spells, they could power my reserve feats. Since that won't work (obviously) I will either need to get my casting stat boosted (items..) to the minimum required level (requiring at least casting stat 13 and a +6 item to get access to the 9th level slots) or drop the reserve feat idea.

 

[insanogeddon]

Some brain storm ideas to < MAD

Spells will prob. be your defence not AC

Zen Shot - Complete Warrior
cleric/shaman(rays don't have saves)/fav soul
Charming the Arrow (chr to ranged attacks) - WOTC website
sorc/shukenja
or/and
Archivists or Wugen mad should be cut
or/and
Illumian rune rorts let you use dex or str for bonus spells

 

[insanogeddon]

Some brain storm ideas to < MAD

Spells will prob. be your defence not AC

Zen Shot - Complete Warrior
cleric/shaman(rays don't have saves)/fav soul
Charming the Arrow (chr to ranged attacks) - WOTC website
sorc/shukenja
or/and
Archivists or Wugen mad should be cut
or/and
Illumian (race from races of destiny) rune feat rorts let you use dex or str for bonus spells

 

[Jack Simth]

I was afraid of that....

@Jack Simth:

I was trying to build a sneak attacking low level spell slinger while avoiding MAD.
So, if I could use the higher level spell slots for lower level, heightened spells, they could power my reserve feats. Since that won't work (obviously) I will either need to get my casting stat boosted (items..) to the minimum required level (requiring at least casting stat 13 and a +6 item to get access to the 9th level slots) or drop the reserve feat idea.

Well... that's not entirely true.

A Warlock, for instance, instead of a Wizard gives you most of what you're after. Change the fluff a little, and you're fine.

You need the required ability score to prepare or cast a spell... but prepared spells don't go away under normal circumstances - that is, if you can arrange to be able to prepare a 9th level spell *once* and can never cast it, and you avoid abandoning it, and you avoid effects that cause you to lose spell slots (negative levels, certain monsters, spellthieves, death, possibly a few others), that can power your reserve feat. Your DM will likely look at you funny, though.

 

[Theroc]

Well... that's not entirely true.

A Warlock, for instance, instead of a Wizard gives you most of what you're after. Change the fluff a little, and you're fine.

You need the required ability score to prepare or cast a spell... but prepared spells don't go away under normal circumstances - that is, if you can arrange to be able to prepare a 9th level spell *once* and can never cast it, and you avoid abandoning it, and you avoid effects that cause you to lose spell slots (negative levels, certain monsters, spellthieves, death, possibly a few others), that can power your reserve feat. Your DM will likely look at you funny, though.

Either look at you funny, or throw lots of vampires and undead stuff to tosses negative levels at you constantly. >.>