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Message: <blockquote data-quote="reiella" data-source="post: 1447737" data-attributes="member: 160">Well, I'd state it's superior in damage, but suffers in the DC category <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />.7.5 damage more is a hitdie or three (dependant on their 'Mook Rating' <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":P" title="Stick out tongue    :P"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":P" />).Also, spell DC hits hurt, but of course, if you use Ray spells, metamagic shines real nice, as the Spell DC "cost" becomes irrelevant.Consider the 5th level Maximized Scorching ray (96 points of damage, even splittable four ways, no save) versus the 6th level Chain Lightning  (52.5 damage).Also situationally note, that a maximized (or metamagicked in general) spell with a lower Max Applicable Caster level (such as 10d6 for Fireball) can be more thoroughly exploited in level gaps.  Consider that at 11th caster level through 15th, the Maximized Fireball is going to be doing it's 60 damage each level versus (38.5, 42, 45.5, 49, 52.5) as the spellcaster progresses to reach the Max Hit at level 15.  At 11th level, the Freezing Sphere will 'not be saved' 15% more than the Maximized Fireball.  Evasion also tilts in favor of the higher level spells of this sort.Of course, by 15, you're capable of using 8th level spells, and have another fun opportunity to introduce more damaging combo of Empowered Maximized Fireball (60 + 35/2, or 77.5), with a 25% greater chance of being saved against.  However, note at 8th level, there are no Evocation AE spells (sans Sunburst, which is more an AE Debuff than AE Damage), so it at least 'fills a gap' for one level for a specialist type.  Horrid Wilting makes a good example, but it uses a different save and is a different school (which carries other results).  Horrid Wilting will 'damage cap' at 20th, but until then it deals (52.5,56,59.5,63,66.5).  It also has a bit more control of your targeting.[ Note, considering the same school typically as it means Spell Focus/Greater Spell Focus/Tatoo Focus equally benefit both spells.  Also not considering the boons of certain Prestige Classes and Feats which would increase specific caster level in reference to certain elemental spells, or also decrease the Metamagic spell-slot cost]Of course, might just be a difference of opinion and experience in the matter of metamagic'd spells <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />.</blockquote>

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