Metamagic & Spontaneous Casting

[Li Shenron]

Can someone quickly provide a reference to the fact that casting spontaneously a metamagicked spell is a FULL-ROUND ACTION which completes on the caster's turn and NOT a FULL-ROUND SPELL which completes at the beginning of the caster's next turn?

Thanks!

 

[Joshua Randall]

From the SRD (emphasis added):

METAMAGIC FEATS
Some spellcasters choose spells as they cast them. They can choose when they cast their spells whether to use metamagic feats to improve them. As with other spellcasters, the improved spell uses up a higher-level spell slot. If its normal casting time is 1 action, casting a metamagic spell is a full-round action for a spellcaster that chooses spells as they cast them. For spells with a longer casting time, it takes an extra full-round action to cast the spell.

= = =

A spell that takes 1 full round to cast is a full-round action. It comes into effect just before the beginning of the character's turn in the round after the character began casting the spell. The character then acts normally after the spell is completed. A spell that takes 1 minute to cast comes into effect just before the character's turn 1 minute later (and for each of those 10 rounds, the character is casting a spell as a full-round action).

 

[Zhure]

PHB, page 78, right hand column:

"If its normal casting time is 1 action, casting a metamagic spell is a full-round action for a sorcerer or bard. For spells with a longer casting time, it takes an extra full-round action to cast the spell."

 

[Li Shenron]

Thank you, I was hoping that PHB had a better explanation than SRD, but not really...

I know that FRS->FRA and not necessarily the opposite, but someone is arguing with me that both ruling could be correct. Is there a FAQ or Sage advice?

 

[Zhure]

PHB 78,
"The sorcerer or bard, therefore, must take more
time to cast a metamagic spell (one enhanced by a metamagic feat) than a regular spell. If its normal casting time is 1 action, casting a metamagic spell is a full-round action for a sorcerer or bard. For spells with a longer casting time, it takes an extra full-round action to cast the spell."
From the glossary:

"full-round action: One of several time-based action
categories. Full-round actions consume all of a character’s
effort during a round. The only movement possible
in conjunction with a full-round action is a 5-foot
step, which can occur before, after, or during the
action. Some full-round actions (as specified in their
descriptions) do not allow even this much movement.
When using a full-round action to cast a spell whose
casting time is 1 full round, the spell is not completed
until the beginning of the caster’s next turn."

PHB, page 148,
"A spell that takes 1 full round to cast is a full-round action. It
comes into effect just before the beginning of your turn in the
round after you began casting the spell. You then act normally after the spell is completed. A spell that takes 1 minute to cast comes into effect just before your turn 1 minute later (and for each of those 10 rounds, you are casting a spell as a full-round action)."

"Full-round actions" and "1 round casting time" spells are two different beasts, that only look similar at first blush.

Greg

 

[Zhure]

T&B, page 82,

"Sorcerers cannot normally prepare spells ahead of time and so must use a full-round action when casting any spell with a metamagic feat. You cannot take amove action during the round the spell is cas, but can take a 5-foot step before or after casting the spell. If a spell has a casting time longer than one action, it takes an extra full-round action to cast when using a metamagic feat.

For example, Hennet casts a maximized magic missile.He must use a full-round action to cast the spell, but he can take a 5-foot step first to leave a threatened space. If he uses Extend Spell and starts casting a Summon Monster I spell, which has a full-round casting time, he continues casting until his next turn (as with any other spell having a casting time of more than one action). When it's his turn again, however, the spell isn't yet complete, and Hennet must use the rest of that round to finish casting. He can still take a 5-foot step at the end of casting, however."

This example also clearly implies the difference between FRA and FRS.

Greg

 

[Shard O'Glase]

I'm fairly sure they clarified it in Tome and Blood. And yes its just a FRA not a full round spell. Being at work this is the best you can get from me, sorry.


edit: should of read the last post.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Basically, it's a clear logical relationship, but there are a lot of people out there who cannot wrap there head around the fact that A=>B does not automatically mean B=>A.

Example:

All centaurs have four legs, and they are also over six feet tall.

A human polymorphed into a dog has four legs.

This does not mean that the human polymorphed into a dog is over 6 feet tall.

-----

A spell with a casting time of 1 full round is a full round action, and comes into effect immediately before the caster's next initiative.

A metamagic spell cast by a sorcerer is a full round action.

This does not mean that a metamagic spell cast by the sorcerer extends beyond his own initiative.

-----

To people with a logical mind, the parallel is obvious... but some people's minds don't work that way, and they simply can't see it. You may find it's a futile battle trying to explain it.

-Hyp.