quicken spell for sorcerers

[kolikeos]

in the phb it says that if a sorcerer uses a metamagic feat it takes him 1 full round instead of 1 standard action to cast the spell, but if that is so, a sorcerer can't use the quicken spell feat.

i am thinking about changing that in my game, so that quicken spell will be useable for sorcerers, it will be the only metamagic feat that does not take more time for a sorcerer to cast, so he can use it as a quick action, just like other spellcaster classes.

 

[the Jester]

I am not certain, and my opinion on the subject used to be different, but I don't think that would break anything.

I also suspect that an eventual 4e will give sorcerers metamagic feats as bonus feats like wizards, and that they'll be able to quicken spells.

 

[Doctor Bomb]

...quicken spell will be useable for sorcerers, it will be the only metamagic feat that does not take more time for a sorcerer to cast, so he can use it as a quick action, just like other spellcaster classes.

You also might want to look into the Miniature's Handbook. I really like the sudden metamagic feats for sorcerers, as IIRC, they allow a once-per-day free metamagic application without increasing casting time.

 

[Destil]

The inability to quick spontainous spells is an artifact of stupid, overly-anal inflexibility in the letter and not the spirit of the rules in my opinion. Allowing it shouldn't break anything.

 

[Malin Genie]

Actually, I think restricting spontaneous Quicken is a necessary balance mechanism, given that the Sorceror gets more spells per day and more flexibility to choose spells than the Wizard.

Having said that, I don't know that it is fair to prevent the Sorceror from Quickening altogether - in a Wizard/Sorceror duel a Wizard who had prepared a few Quickened spells would be casting at two spells/round to the Sorceror's one. So I'd considered, if I ever ran a high-level campaign, allowing Sorcerors to Quicken, but as a move-equivalent (rahter than a free) action, and possibly at +5 or +6 levels rather than +4.

 

[GlassJaw]

allowing Sorcerors to Quicken, but as a move-equivalent (rahter than a free) action

That's exactly what I do. Using metamagic feats for bards and sorcs requires a move equivalent action (standard + move = full). If you use Quicknen, it basically becomes a move equivalent.

Also, if you apply more than one metamagic feat to a spell, it just requires additional MEA's.

I haven't really playtested this but it seemed like a good idea in theory.

 

[Interested2]

Yeah, but a sorcerer doesn't have anywhere NEAR the number of spells a wizard can have.

 

[Li Shenron]

in the phb it says that if a sorcerer uses a metamagic feat it takes him 1 full round instead of 1 standard action to cast the spell, but if that is so, a sorcerer can't use the quicken spell feat.

i am thinking about changing that in my game, so that quicken spell will be useable for sorcerers, it will be the only metamagic feat that does not take more time for a sorcerer to cast, so he can use it as a quick action, just like other spellcaster classes.

Before it was clarified, we used to allow Sorcerers to use Quicken Spell normally, making the casting time a free action. There was no problem whatsoever with that, although we didn't get to very high levels to see if it becomes too powerful (at least at low-mid level you aren't going to quicken very many spells because the +4 slot cost is very high, and Sorcerers are always a level behind other spellcasters to get higher-level spells).

 

[Thanee]

You can simply get the Arcane Preparation feat in addition, which allows spontaneous spellcasters to prepare metamagic spells and cast them without an increase in casting time.

Allowing it freely will definitely be a considerable power up for the sorcerer at higher levels. Most people agree, however, that the sorcerer is a bit behind in power (as is the bard), so that can't really be bad.

Note, that this will also allow clerics to spontaneously quicken heal spells as a free action and favored souls to cast quickened spells like quickened Divine Favor freely.

If you use the XPH, I'd definitely make this change, since Quicken Psionics also works in the same way (yes, I know they have to expend their focus and all that, but that is completely unimportant here as it is part of the greater whole of how metapsionics work in general, not specific to Quicken) and it would be a pretty unfair disadvantage to have Quicken work differently for spontaneous spellcasters.

BTW, I like the idea with the cost being an extra move action, not changing the spell's casting time to a full round action.

Bye
Thanee

 

[S'mon]

I let Sorcerers cast Quickened spells as a free action; it doesn't overpower them at all IMO (though 3.0 Haste certainly overpowered both Wizards & Sorcerers & other casters); I'd say it keeps Sorcerers roughly on parity with Wizards at higher levels. The +4 level adjustment is harsh enough that Sorcerers don't routinely use Quickened spells; it's saved for major battles.