Metamagic on the Fly

[DungeonmasterCal]

I'm not sure if this idea came to me unbidden or it's the result of something I've read here on the boards that bubbled to the surface and tricked me into thinking I had an original thought. If the latter, please accept my acknowledgements to the original rules-tinkerers who came up with this house rule.

I love the IDEA of metamagic feats, but I'm not a fan of their actual EXECUTION. Using up high level spell slots to alter or power up what is normally a comparatively low level spell is, well, wasteful to me. Perhaps even counterproductive. So, my idea (or at least the idea I'm presenting here) is this:

A number of times per day equal to 3 + the caster's relevant ability bonus, a spellcaster can make a Spellcraft check vs. DC 20 + Spell Level + metamagic feat(s) level adjustment(s). If this succeeds, the spell is cast with the desired changes and effects. If it fails, the spell is cast normally. This does not change the casting time, and it also addresses the gripe I have about spontaneous spellcasters having to use a full round to prepare a metamagicked spell.

This allows even 1st level casters a chance (albeit a small one) to cast a spell with significant modifications, when normally she would have to wait until she reached the ability to cast 2nd level spells and thus have the necessary spellslot to use up for a feat such as Enlarge Spell.

In the case of a multiclassed spellcaster, the base 3xday does not change, but the added attempts based on relevant ability bonuses from both classes are added together. Thus, a wizard/cleric with both a 15 INT and 15 WIS would be able to attempt metamagic alterations a number of times per day equal to 3+2+2.

So... How broken is this? How unoriginal? I actually think it's not a bad idea, but I've yet to see it played out. Has anyone out there done something like this already? If so, how did it work out?

Thanks in advance,

DMCal

 

[Crothian]

Doesn't sound to bad. If you are going to do this, I would not allow any magical items that add to the Spellcaft skill as that might make the roll way too easy.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Good point. Thanks for the input!

 

[DragonTurtle]

Spontaneous Metamagic feats allow for 3 times a day per spontaneous feat taken. So if my character has spontaneous empower that is 3/day and spontaneous maximize that is 3/day for 6 uses, which continues to add up.

My point is your character with metamagic will fall behind in uses then the character using the feats from WoTC, perhaps have the character gain more uses a day for each metamagic feat they have so this character retains relevance.

Also at high levels you will see characters applying a high number of metamagic feats to each spell, as why not overshoot it as there is no penalty if they fail, they may as well aim high.

A couple of more balance points and I think this will be a cool variant.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Thanks for the input. I don't have time (I'm at work) to mull your suggestions over deeply, but I think you may be right. Thanks!

 

[RuminDange]

Do you still require spellcasters to take the metamagic feats and only allow them to use those feats they know in adding them on the fly?
Or
Do you allow all spellcasters to know all metamagic feats and apply them on the fly?


RD

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Do you still require spellcasters to take the metamagic feats and only allow them to use those feats they know in adding them on the fly?
Or
Do you allow all spellcasters to know all metamagic feats and apply them on the fly?


RD

Hmm...I forgot to mention that... the caster still has to take the feats at the appropriate levels. Thanks for point that out!