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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hypersmurf" data-source="post: 2663581" data-attributes="member: 1656">Looking at Widen Spell, I'm inclined to agree that the decision is made at preparation time."You can alter a spell" seems to be something done at preparation time.I can see the alternative argument: If a spell has multiple versions, you choose which version to use when you cast it. You don’t have to prepare (or learn, in the case of a bard or sorcerer) a specific version of the spell.It comes down to a ruling as to whether Sculpted Burning Hands is one spell with five versions, or five spells.To me, the similarity to the Widen Spell language suggests that the "either" clause comes into effect at the same time as "You can alter a spell", which for a wizard is at preparation time.But I can see the argument that it's more analogous to Fire Shield or Protection from Energy, for example, where the version decision is made at casting time.Regarding Burning Hands, and KD's house rule - if I sculpt Burning Hands into a 40 foot cone, it's not that great.  The flames still die 15 feet from me - Sculpt Spell changes the spell's area, but has no effect on the range."If any portion of the spell’s area would extend beyond this range, that area is wasted."(For the same reason, Widen Spell is awful for most emanations that radiate from the caster.  Widened Antimagic Field, for example, has an area of 20' radius emanation, but a range of only 10 feet...)Of course, Sculpt Spell still works just fine to increase the area of, say, Sound Burst significantly, so KD's house rule is still necessary if he's concerned about the 'cheap Widen' effect.-Hyp.</blockquote>

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