Magic item query (metamagic)

[Thurbane]

Just a quick question: since the Energy Substitution feat does not increase spell level, is there any reason that there aren't LOTS of wands of Sonicball (Fireball, with sonic substitution) around? Since so many creatures are immune or resistant to fire, and relatively few are as well denfended against sonic, and the metamagic feat does not add any levels to the spell (or cost to the wand), it would seem that these would be a very popular item...

 

[Diirk]

Probably because you can't sonic substitute spells:

Energy Subsitution, Complete Arcane pg 79: Choose one type of energy (acid, cold, electricty or fire).

 

[Thurbane]

Hmm, they must have updated it...

http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/featsList.html#energy-substitution

ENERGY SUBSTITUTION [METAMAGIC]
Prerequisites: Any other metamagic feat, Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks.

Benefit: You choose one type of energy: acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic. When employing a spell with the acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic designator, you can modify the spell to use your chosen type of energy instead. The altered spell uses a spell slot of the spell’s normal level.
The altered spell works normally in all respects except the type of damage dealt.

Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time the feat applies to a different type of energy.

 

[werk]

They updated that from 3e to 3.5, I thought.

Odd that energy sub is in the SRD... I thought it originated in the FR and then moved into the Complete.

They didn't change archmage, they still have mastery over all 5 elements.

 

[Diirk]

The SRD version you quoted is is the divine section under a list saying "Deities can obtain the feats described here, in addition to any standard feats."

So I guess gods can create sonic subtituted fireball wands. Us mortals have to stick to the other 4 elements, however.

 

[werk]

The SRD version you quoted is is the divine section under a list saying "Deities can obtain the feats described here, in addition to any standard feats."

So I guess gods can create sonic subtituted fireball wands. Us mortals have to stick to the other 4 elements, however.

Ah, that's right, Deities and Demigods was 3.0, so it sneaked in there.

Oh well, it really doesn't break anything as long as everyone is doing it, right?

 

[mvincent]

you can't sonic substitute spells

Correct, but an Archmage (from the DMG) with the Mastery of Elements ability could still cast sonicballs in 3.5, so the question still has merit.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Correct, but an Archmage (from the DMG) with the Mastery of Elements ability could still cast sonicballs in 3.5, so the question still has merit.

Mastery of Elements is used to alter a spell when cast. Not when crafting a wand.

-Hyp.

 

[Thurbane]

Well, I guess Wand of Acidball is the next best option...

 

[Infiniti2000]

There are two valid 3.5 "upgrades" from 3E. One allows sonic (ala Deities und Demigods), the other doesn't. I personally recommend the one that doesn't.