Two New Metamagic Feats - Opinions?

[Larcen]

Here are couple of new metamagic feats I came up with. Used properly, these can be just a good, or better, as Extend Spell or Persistent Spell.

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Suspend Spell (Metamagic)
Benefit: A suspended spell can have it's duration temporarily paused by the spellcaster. At anytime before the spell's duration expires, the caster can suspend any unspent duration for a later time. This unspent duration can only be kept suspended for a day maximum. A spell can only be suspended once during it's duration. Suspending a spell and reactivating it are both a free action. Spells with a concentration, instantaneous, or permanent duration are not affected by this feat. A suspended spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell's actual level.

Greater Suspend Spell (Metamagic)
Benefit: As Suspend Spell feat, but the spell can be suspended at two points within it's duration. It can only be held for a maximum of a day between suspensions. A greater suspended spell uses up a spell slot three levels higher than the spell's actual level.

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I am curious if you guys think the addtional spell slots are appropriate and/or if there should be any prereqs to these feats. Maybe the Extend spell feat?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Cloudgatherer]

The extend spell feat would definitely be an appropriate prereq for these two (and suspend spell for greater suspend spell).

I'm a little concerned about balance though. Especially in regards to Quicken Spell. I'd say reactivating a spell *must* be a standard action, otherwise countless spells can be used much like quicken.

Most abusive use off the top of my head, suspended haste. A 5th level spell slot, but here's what a caster could do. First, cast it on himself, then immediately suspend it. When battle rolls around that day, he uses a free action to activate it, can cast two spells that turn _plus_ a quickened spell. Compare this to the great quickened haste, a 7th level spell slot, that does less than what this feat can do for a 5th level slot.

Needs some work, IMO. I like the idea, but I think this version is overpowered.

 

[Crothian]

I really like the idea, but I also think there should be a limit on the numbers of spells Suspended at once. I'd make the suspending and unsusspending both standard actions. I really think this will solve many of the balance problems.

I really like the idea though.

 

[Larcen]

The extend spell feat would definitely be an appropriate prereq for these two (and suspend spell for greater suspend spell).

I'm a little concerned about balance though. Especially in regards to Quicken Spell. I'd say reactivating a spell *must* be a standard action, otherwise countless spells can be used much like quicken.

Most abusive use off the top of my head, suspended haste. A 5th level spell slot, but here's what a caster could do. First, cast it on himself, then immediately suspend it. When battle rolls around that day, he uses a free action to activate it, can cast two spells that turn _plus_ a quickened spell. Compare this to the great quickened haste, a 7th level spell slot, that does less than what this feat can do for a 5th level slot.

Needs some work, IMO. I like the idea, but I think this version is overpowered.

I agree with your recommendations. Although I neglected to mention it, Suspend Spell should definately be a prereq for Great Suspend.

You also convinced me it should be a standard action, not a free action.

I do have a problem with making Extend a prereq for Suspend. That would mean you need 2 feats total to get the benefits of Suspend and 3 for the Greater version. A bit much maybe? Of course the Extend is a benefit in itself to have, so it wouldn't hurt things too much...

 

[Crothian]

I think Extend is a good prerequite. Extend Spell is not a wasted feat. IMO, it's the most used of all meta magic feats.

Here's a question for you. While the spell is suspended, would it appear through a detection spell? And what would it appear as?

I wonder because with the feat you could cast like endurance on your self and use suspend to suspend it. You take part in a boxing match (or other non lethal physical contest) that allows no magic. The check you before you go in, and depending on the above answers you might be able to sneak spells into such a tournement. Just a random thought....

 

[Larcen]

I think Extend is a good prerequite. Extend Spell is not a wasted feat. IMO, it's the most used of all meta magic feats.

Right. That's what I meant too.

Here's a question for you. While the spell is suspended, would it appear through a detection spell? And what would it appear as?

I guess a spell like Detect Magic would get a very faint aura of whatever type of magic the suspended spell is.

I would even go so far as to say that a sucessful Spellcraft check (DC to be determined) would tip you off that it's magic that's been suspended. Visually speaking, the faint aura's colors are not swirling or pulsing or whatever it is you see with Detect Magic. The aura is just frozen.

Hey, I can't help it, I'm a visual guy...and it helps with roleplaying. Of course, the DM could also just say: "Ok, you made your spellcraft, so now you know it's a suspended enchantment type spell he's got on him."

 

[CRGreathouse]

Here's my suggestion:

Make Extend spell a pre-req for both and Suspend Spell a pre-req for Greater Suspend. Make the level adjustment +1 for Suspend Spell and (I'm not sure what) for Greater Suspend.

 

[Crothian]

I'd say greater suspend +2. It's more useful with the longer duration spells, not the 1/rnd level variety.

 

[Larcen]

Ok, good. I'm liking the suggestions. And to address this concern....

I really like the idea, but I also think there should be a limit on the numbers of spells Suspended at once.

...how about the limitation that a person, place, or thing, can only have one of the same spell suspended on it as once?

A stick, for example, can only have one suspended Light cast on it at a time. A second would wipe the first one out. I suppose you could cast a Suspended Light on it, suspend it, cast a regular Light on it, let it expire, cast a Darkness on it, suspend it, then reactivate the suspended Light or Darkness later. Just an example. Imagine this scenario with other spell combos.

 

[billking]

My two cents: the reactivation time should be EXACTLY equal to the casting time. I don't see why an suspended, quickened spell shouldn't be reactivated as a free action... haste with both would be 9th level, and that's about the right power level. Also, wording it this way closes a loophole in summon monster that no one has probably noticed yet.