Spell Creation vs Metamagic Feats?

[da_deadman]

There are 2 clear examples of spells in the PHB that are 3rd level wizard spells that have had the metamagic feat applied to them.

Chain Lightning which is Lightning with the chain spell metamagic feat.

Delayed Fireball Blast which is Fireball with the delay spell metamagic feat.

Both of these spells are cast as spells of thier respective levels, this means that they have spell DC and damage dice of their actual spell level.

VS a Lightning spell with the chain spell metamagic feat cost a 6th level slot, but has a 3rd level DC and damage. Same for the Fireball spell with a delayed spell metamagic feat; cost an 8th level slot, but has 3rd level DC and damage.

Now, taking this into account. Why would anybody use a metamagic feat to accomplish chain lightning or delayed fireball blast? The sole reason (that I can think of) is that they do not "have" the spell in their spellbook yet!

Also, with the ability to create your own spells as per the PHB and DMG, why couldn't a spellcaster just create a spell that would do the same things as these two spells do and make them a regular spell?

I can think of many reasons TO do this, Clerics that only have 3 spells that need to be persisted (Divine Favor/Power and Righteous Might), SORCS that have to use full round to cast any metamagic spell (but they don't have to use a full round to cast one of these two do they?), To have a cool spell in your spellbook (Yes divine casters can also have a spellbook).



On the side of metamagic feats.

No need to create a new spell for each application of a metamagic feat.

Can use them on new spells that they learn as soon as they learn them.

In rare cases can make use of improved metamagic to get the same effects for lower spell slots (although they will also have the lower DC and damage of the base spell).



Having both sides of the argument presented, would it be fair to let spells be created that would mimic other metamagic feats, without the need to have the feat or use the feat?

Could someone point out a more concrete method of spell creation for the NON-EPIC spellcaster.



This woudl make SORCS a lot better overall as would let them cast metamagic (like) spells without the need for full round casting, but would it make them TOO powerfull?

Also a cleric that made Divine Favor, Divine Power and Righteous Might into 24 hour spells at 4 levels higher per spell would save 2 feats, but would this necessarily make them TOO Powerfull?

 

[Cheiromancer]

Delay Spell and Chain Spell seem to be the exceptions to the rule.

Imagine if you could make a 5th level spell that would be like an empowered fireball. As a 5th level spell it have a save DC of 15 + ability modifier, cap out at 15 hit dice, but because of the +50% damage would actually do well over 20 hit dice of damage at 15th level.

That's well out of the range for 5th level spells.

A Maximized Fireball would be even worse.

 

[The Souljourner]

Because lots of DMs don't let you create new spells all willy-nilly like that. In my experience, if you want to create a new, unique spell that can't be duplicated with existing spells and metamagic, then you can make it. But if you want to make a 6th level spell that is a ball of fire that does a flat 60 damage, the DM will tell you to just use a maximized fireball.

Spell creation is totally at the whim of the DM. Most DMs aren't going to let you make a ton of spells just so you don't have to use metamagic. It's hard to make sure spells are balanced, so in my experience, most DMs limit them severely.

-The Souljourner

 

[Scion]

I think I see where you are coming from and personally I see no problem with it. you have to spend a lot of extra time and money to make up for a feat, all well and good. Basically its similar to buying an item that will do the feat for you.

(and cheiromancer, the equivalent to fireball empowered at 5th level would be cone of cold.. as in, it does 15d6 instead of 10d6 + 5d6.. so an empowered fireball is the damage equivalent to cone of cold, perfectly legit)

generally I would prefer spells that are metamagiced to be somewhat better than a similar spell of the enhanced level, as you have to spend resources to make it that way. if I could think of a good way to impliment that I would ;/