SteelDraco
First Post
The problem with messing around with metamagic is that the whole system sort of tries to shoehorn slot-based, skill-independent magic into something that would fit better in either a spell point system or one that required some kind of skill roll for spellcasting.
Metamagic is easy and effective in a point-based system. The metapsionic feats work great, and are much more useful than the metamagic stuff. It just makes more sense there.
I've contemplated requiring a check of some sort to cast a spell metamagicked. I'd either require a Spellcraft roll or a caster level check... not sure which works better. Metamagic feats would have two components - a level adjustment and a DC modifier. The level adjustment would work the same way it does now, with the adjusted spell using up a slot that many levels higher. The DC modifier would change the DC required to successfully cast the metamagicked spell.
A bit of a thought experiment follows.
Say we have Quicken Spell, which might be +2 levels, +8 DC modifier. The formula for the Spellcraft check to cast the metamagicked spell is 15 + the total level of the spell + DC modifier. Under this system, to cast a Quickened Magic Missile, you'd have to roll a Spellcraft check, DC 26 (base 15 + 3 for the modified spell level + 8 for the DC modifier from Quicken Spell). If you make it, the spell goes off fine. If you fail, the slot is wasted. Gritty, cruel or low-magic DMs might institute some sort of critical failure rules.
Conversions of the core metamagic feats might be something like...
Still, Silent : +0 level, +4 DC
Empower : +1 level, +4 DC
Maximize, Quicken : +2 levels, +8 DC
Hmmm. This would make wizards remain the metamagic champs, as they'd get the bonus feats, as well as quicker access to higher-level slots and a better Spellcraft check due to high Int. Clerics would likely be next, though they tend to have fewer skill points. Sorcerers and bards would be flexible due to spontaneous casting, but have a higher chance of messing up, and take longer to cast.
Problems would arise at high levels, though. A smart wizard would put a point into Spellcraft every level, and could easily end up with a +30 Spellcraft roll. Maybe ramp up the modifier based on spell level as it increases?
Arrgh. Enough rambling. This is an interesting thought experiment, and I'm curious to hear what you all think of it, but I have a story to write.
Metamagic is easy and effective in a point-based system. The metapsionic feats work great, and are much more useful than the metamagic stuff. It just makes more sense there.
I've contemplated requiring a check of some sort to cast a spell metamagicked. I'd either require a Spellcraft roll or a caster level check... not sure which works better. Metamagic feats would have two components - a level adjustment and a DC modifier. The level adjustment would work the same way it does now, with the adjusted spell using up a slot that many levels higher. The DC modifier would change the DC required to successfully cast the metamagicked spell.
A bit of a thought experiment follows.
Say we have Quicken Spell, which might be +2 levels, +8 DC modifier. The formula for the Spellcraft check to cast the metamagicked spell is 15 + the total level of the spell + DC modifier. Under this system, to cast a Quickened Magic Missile, you'd have to roll a Spellcraft check, DC 26 (base 15 + 3 for the modified spell level + 8 for the DC modifier from Quicken Spell). If you make it, the spell goes off fine. If you fail, the slot is wasted. Gritty, cruel or low-magic DMs might institute some sort of critical failure rules.
Conversions of the core metamagic feats might be something like...
Still, Silent : +0 level, +4 DC
Empower : +1 level, +4 DC
Maximize, Quicken : +2 levels, +8 DC
Hmmm. This would make wizards remain the metamagic champs, as they'd get the bonus feats, as well as quicker access to higher-level slots and a better Spellcraft check due to high Int. Clerics would likely be next, though they tend to have fewer skill points. Sorcerers and bards would be flexible due to spontaneous casting, but have a higher chance of messing up, and take longer to cast.
Problems would arise at high levels, though. A smart wizard would put a point into Spellcraft every level, and could easily end up with a +30 Spellcraft roll. Maybe ramp up the modifier based on spell level as it increases?
Arrgh. Enough rambling. This is an interesting thought experiment, and I'm curious to hear what you all think of it, but I have a story to write.
