Malachei
First Post
The UM's augmented casting ability, easily the best of the PrC, allows the UM to sponaneously modifxy a spell of a spell level up to half the UM class level with a metamagic feat, powered by a spell from the other class whose spell level equals the metamagic feat's modifier.
(a) By RAW, this means that there is no upper spell level limit -- an 10th level UM could Quicken a fifth level spell (equivalent of a 9th level spell), expending a 4th level spell slot from his spontaneous class. The character would normally have access to 7th level spells only (having 13 wizard casting and 9th spontaneous casting with practiced spellcaster).
Although I'm fine with this, I want to make sure this interpretation corresponds with actual rules. Is there any FAQ or Errata on this? Is this RAI, in your point of view?
(b) In the PrC description, it says "... you can choose to sacrifice a spell or spell slot from one of your classes to apply the effect of a metamagic feat ..." and "The level of the spell slot sacrificed must equal or exceed the spell level adjustment of the metamagic feat" (emphasis mine) -- By RAW, I understand that this implies that you have to sacrifice a spell slot of the exact level (i.e. a 4th level spell slot for a metamagic feat with an adjustment of +4). Given this interpretation of the rules, I could not, for instance, take a combination of a 3rd and 1st level spell slot to power a Quicken or Twin Spell augmented casting. I've seen a lot of advice for the UM that suggested taking expensive metamagic feats, such as Quicken and Twin Spell (the UM Handbook on the Char Ops boards specifically suggests these two, and Persist). With this interpretation, it would be best not to take several metamagic feats with a high adjustment, but have a mix of low-adjustment and high-adjustment feats. Having both Quicken Spell (a must-have) and Twin Spell, as I had originally planned, would be a suboptimal choice, then. With Beguiler or Sorcerer having four 4th level spells (+1 bonus spell for high ability), this will also limit the number of uses to below the UM limit of 8 (3+1/2 PrC level) per day. In order to make full use of the ability, you would need a metamagic feat with a lower-level adjustment.
Is this reading of RAW correct? Do you play like this or do you allow UM's to power metamagic with combined levels, as well? If not, how has this affected your selection of metamagic feats?
Thanks in advance for your helpful comments and suggestions.
(a) By RAW, this means that there is no upper spell level limit -- an 10th level UM could Quicken a fifth level spell (equivalent of a 9th level spell), expending a 4th level spell slot from his spontaneous class. The character would normally have access to 7th level spells only (having 13 wizard casting and 9th spontaneous casting with practiced spellcaster).
Although I'm fine with this, I want to make sure this interpretation corresponds with actual rules. Is there any FAQ or Errata on this? Is this RAI, in your point of view?
(b) In the PrC description, it says "... you can choose to sacrifice a spell or spell slot from one of your classes to apply the effect of a metamagic feat ..." and "The level of the spell slot sacrificed must equal or exceed the spell level adjustment of the metamagic feat" (emphasis mine) -- By RAW, I understand that this implies that you have to sacrifice a spell slot of the exact level (i.e. a 4th level spell slot for a metamagic feat with an adjustment of +4). Given this interpretation of the rules, I could not, for instance, take a combination of a 3rd and 1st level spell slot to power a Quicken or Twin Spell augmented casting. I've seen a lot of advice for the UM that suggested taking expensive metamagic feats, such as Quicken and Twin Spell (the UM Handbook on the Char Ops boards specifically suggests these two, and Persist). With this interpretation, it would be best not to take several metamagic feats with a high adjustment, but have a mix of low-adjustment and high-adjustment feats. Having both Quicken Spell (a must-have) and Twin Spell, as I had originally planned, would be a suboptimal choice, then. With Beguiler or Sorcerer having four 4th level spells (+1 bonus spell for high ability), this will also limit the number of uses to below the UM limit of 8 (3+1/2 PrC level) per day. In order to make full use of the ability, you would need a metamagic feat with a lower-level adjustment.
Is this reading of RAW correct? Do you play like this or do you allow UM's to power metamagic with combined levels, as well? If not, how has this affected your selection of metamagic feats?
Thanks in advance for your helpful comments and suggestions.