So I have the Complete Divine, and don't have the miniHB. That is to say, clerics suddenly got spontaneous metamagic (free action), sorcs have spontaneous metamagic (full action), and wizards are stuck. And I'd like to change this. Sooooo... tell me what you think about the following:
First, rule 0 for metamagic: you can't metamagic a spell unless you can cast a spell at the new adjusted level. No level 3s empowering a Scorching Ray. Check.
Metamagic for wizards and sorcerers works in the following fashion:
First, there are two "types" of metamagic. The first consists of Empower, Maximize, Quicken, and the other +2 or greater spell adjustments. Some +1 adjustments also fall in this category by GM discretion, such as the "make half the damage Holy/Unholy/Vile" feats. These metamagic feats now require an extra spell slot to cast, as follows:
+1 adjustment: an extra slot 1 level lower than the original spell.
+2 adjustment: an extra slot of the same spell level.
+3 adjustment: an extra slot 1 level higher.
+4 adjustment: an extra slot 2 levels higher.
Second, things like Still and Silent don't require extra slots, but do require Spellcraft rolls or they fizzle (like defensive casting). I'm leaning towards making the DC 20 + 2x spell level, and adding a new feat that gives +4 or +5 to Spellcraft for the purposes of metamagic. Probably +5, since Skill Focus gets +3 all by itself. Sorcs would receive this feat for free at 1st level, balancing the fact that wizards (INT) are better at spellcraft than sorcs (CHA), but that I believe that sorcs should be better at the "manipulation-style" metamagic.
Oh, and all metamagic can be done on-the-fly. Sorcs will get a free feat every five levels (similar to the wizard progression) that can be spent on metamagic feats.
The end result is to try and make metamagic more appealing. Wizards are getting more powerful with the spontaneous part, and sorcs get bonus feats to compensate.
First, rule 0 for metamagic: you can't metamagic a spell unless you can cast a spell at the new adjusted level. No level 3s empowering a Scorching Ray. Check.
Metamagic for wizards and sorcerers works in the following fashion:
First, there are two "types" of metamagic. The first consists of Empower, Maximize, Quicken, and the other +2 or greater spell adjustments. Some +1 adjustments also fall in this category by GM discretion, such as the "make half the damage Holy/Unholy/Vile" feats. These metamagic feats now require an extra spell slot to cast, as follows:
+1 adjustment: an extra slot 1 level lower than the original spell.
+2 adjustment: an extra slot of the same spell level.
+3 adjustment: an extra slot 1 level higher.
+4 adjustment: an extra slot 2 levels higher.
Second, things like Still and Silent don't require extra slots, but do require Spellcraft rolls or they fizzle (like defensive casting). I'm leaning towards making the DC 20 + 2x spell level, and adding a new feat that gives +4 or +5 to Spellcraft for the purposes of metamagic. Probably +5, since Skill Focus gets +3 all by itself. Sorcs would receive this feat for free at 1st level, balancing the fact that wizards (INT) are better at spellcraft than sorcs (CHA), but that I believe that sorcs should be better at the "manipulation-style" metamagic.
Oh, and all metamagic can be done on-the-fly. Sorcs will get a free feat every five levels (similar to the wizard progression) that can be spent on metamagic feats.
The end result is to try and make metamagic more appealing. Wizards are getting more powerful with the spontaneous part, and sorcs get bonus feats to compensate.
