Metamagic feats for a first time wizard player

[neg]

I just raised my dwarven wizard to the level where I have to take either a metamagic feat or an item creation feat. We are playing in a low magic item, low money campaign so I have decided against item creation feats at the moment.

So...I am looking for suggestions on what is a good metamagic feat for a 5th level wizard. It can be from most any reference book, but I mainly have the WoTC titles at the moment (though the Ultimate Feat book from Mongoose is looking mighty juicy right now).

Enlarge, Quicken, Empower, Maximize, Extend? I just don't know. Maximize seems like the way to go but I am hoping to read insight from experienced wizard players.

Thanks-

Neg

 

[smetzger]

Extend - only costs 1 level, now you can use a 2nd level slot to have Mage Armor up for 10 hrs. Even better for a low magic campaign where bracers would be rare.

Energy Substitution(Sonic) - zero cost, hardly anything has sonic resistance.

 

[Sniktch]

I'll second Extend Spell for your first choice - this is a great metamagic feat. Energy Substitution is really cool, and gives you access to Energy Admixture at a later point, but personally I'm very fond of HEighten Spell.

 

[d12]

ditto

What smetzger said. I assume you are at 5th level so I'd say for your sixth level character feat take spell penetration. Creatures with SR are just around the corner for your party.

 

[Voadam]

I'll third that motion for extend.

The damaging meta magics and quicken don't kick in until you get higher level spell slots and you can maximize or empower lightning bolts or quicken something useful.

The still and silent feats are more for spontaneous casting so unless you have signature spell, I wouldn't bother.

Enlarge is ok for cones but I would still go with extend.

You can make that resist elements (or whatever the 1st level all day protection is) last for multiple days and load up before going into a dungeon.

 

[smetzger]

Enlarge is ok for cones but I would still go with extend.

Enlarge - No way... take a look at Sculpt Spell which is another good choice for this dwarf. Sculpt spell can often increase the area of effect quite well and is more versatile to boot.

 

[Voadam]

Enlarge - No way... take a look at Sculpt Spell which is another good choice for this dwarf. Sculpt spell can often increase the area of effect quite well and is more versatile to boot.

Isn't sculpt spell an archmage class power? Where is it a feat, I've never used it and don't remember off the top of my head, I also don't rember the level increase for enlarge.

Widen spell from FR (or is it magic of faerun) is also one for making area of effects better but I think it has a two or higher level increase.

At 5th I would still recommend extend.

 

[Gargoyle]

Sculpt Spell is in Tome and Blood, and has a prerequisite of "Any metamagic feat" so it is probably not a valid choice. Energy Substitution has the same prerequisite.

Widen Spell requires a slot 3 levels higher, and would be next to useless.

I recommend Heighten Spell or Extend Spell. Heighten Spell is good if you want to cast things like Charm Person where increasing the save DC is important. A 3rd level Charm Person is very nice for a 5th level wizard if you also have Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment.

 

[Gargoyle]

Re: ditto

What smetzger said. I assume you are at 5th level so I'd say for your sixth level character feat take spell penetration. Creatures with SR are just around the corner for your party.

I agree; spell resistance can be irritating.

 

[Voadam]

Sculpt Spell is in Tome and Blood, and has a prerequisite of "Any metamagic feat" so it is probably not a valid choice.

Widen Spell requires a slot 3 levels higher, and would be next to useless.

I recommend Heighten Spell or Extend Spell. Heighten Spell is good if you want to cast things like Charm Person where increasing the save DC is important. A 3rd level Charm Person is very nice for a 5th level wizard if you also have Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment.

But double area detect magic rocks as a 3rd level spell!

The greater spell focus heighten is a good combo, I had a readied Tasha's uncontrollable hideous laughter go off to no effect in my last game against a blinking ogre thing. It is real annoying to waste an action and a spell in a tough fight.

What is the melee spell metamagic feat from Beyond monks? I forget its level increase but as a dwarf he might want to multi into fighter and use a dwarven axe as a followup to casting a spell. Those dwarves can't seem to get enough of melee combat no matter what their class is.

Come on James you know you want to pimp it.