Why do Sorcerers have to take a full round action to use a metamagic rod?

[Falling Icicle]

Does a wizard (or other spellcaster who prepares spells) with a metamagic rod (Dungeon Master’s Guide, 236) activate it when preparing spells (thus preparing three
spells with a metamagic effect without paying the extra spell level cost) or when casting spells (allowing her to apply the metamagic effect to any three spells she likes)?

The latter. The metamagic rods function the same for any spellcaster—they allow her to apply a metamagic effect “on the fly” when casting the spell to be affected. The exception is the sorcerer (or by extension, any other spontaneous spellcaster) who must still use a full-round action to cast the affected spell.

Why punish Sorcerers? So Wizards can use metamagic rods on the fly, totally ignoring the usual restrictions they have when using those feats, but sorcerers are still bound by their restriction? Why?

Is there any good reason for this?

 

[pemerton]

I don't know of any good reason for the base rule about spontaneous meta-magc, so no, I can't think of a good reason for extending it to a meta-magic rod.

 

[Legildur]

Check out this thread New FAQ 23/11/06 for more discussion on this topic.

 

[frankthedm]

I don't know of any good reason for the base rule about spontaneous meta-magc, so no, I can't think of a good reason for extending it to a meta-magic rod.

The base rule about spontaneous meta-magic serves 2 important functions.

It puts a speed bump on sorcerers who get around preparing spells in the first place. They did not have to place forethought into what spells they would alter that day, so they have to pay by spending extra time in casting.

It prevents sorcerers from using quicken spell. An important thing since they have so many spell slots, sacrificing higher level spell hurts them far less than a non-spontaneous caster.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Why punish Sorcerers?

Punish them? Oh, you mean that we're supposed to force these magical items into their hands and make them spend full round actions to cast spells?

"Bad sorcerer! Now, use this rod to empower your magic missiles!"

 

[seans23]

Also, we just don't trust sorcerors. Sketchy folk.

 

[KarinsDad]

It puts a speed bump on sorcerers who get around preparing spells in the first place. They did not have to place forethought into what spells they would alter that day, so they have to pay by spending extra time in casting.

It prevents sorcerers from using quicken spell. An important thing since they have so many spell slots, sacrificing higher level spell hurts them far less than a non-spontaneous caster.

This is basically it. Spontaneous Metamagic is a very potent ability in the game as is. Spontaneous Quicken Spell is a bit of a nightmare (of which the PHB II Sorcerer and Divine Metamagic allow, at least Sudden Quicken has a huge feat prerequisite list).

It is not that Metamagic Rods punish Sorcerers (who already have a huge advantage here), it is that they do not restrict Wizards in any way. And depending on how you read it, Sorcerers may or may not be able to use Quicken Metamagic Rods.

Think of it this way. The first Metamagic Rod was developed by a Wizard because he hated the fact that Sorcerers could do Spontaneous Metamagic and he couldn't. So, the item is designed for casters who prepare spells, it just so happens that it also works for spontaneous casters.

Just like a Ring of Wizardry is worthless for most classes. The metamagic rod is not worthless for spontaneous casters, it just is not designed for them either.

 

[Stalker0]

WOTC openly hates sorcs, that's why.

 

[Corsair]

WOTC openly hates sorcs, that's why.

That's about as accurate as I can figure.

Let's see...

Wizards: Get bonus feats, get spell levels earlier, can nearly match the sorcerer in slots if they choose to specialize, can learn as many spells as they want, and learn new spells easily as you add more supplements to the game. (Specialists get even more ridiculous benefits with CompMage PrC and feats)

Druids/Clerics: Get spell levels earlier, get class abilities and/or better HD, saves, BAB, and adding new supplements instantly increases known spells.

Psions: Get bonus feats, get powers earlier, can take variable energy-type powers (Energy Ball instead of "Fireball", etc). This is the ONLY class that has any drawbacks compared to sorcerer, the need to pay for augmentation. Many more known powers than sorcerers get spells though (especially considering the versatility of energy powers and the like)

Warmages/Beguilers/Dread Necromancers: These classes make any "theme" sorcerer a complete joke. Want to play an illusionist or enchantress type? Beguiler, and wear armor doing it! With skills! Did you want to play sorcerer just to blast things over and over? Why bother when you can be a warmage! Fancy playing a spontaneous casting necromancer type? Again, who needs sorcerers!

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But yeah, god forbid the sorcerer be able to use quicken spell.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Except that Complete Mage introduced an "instant metamagic" feat for sorcerors that eliminates the full-round casting time for metamagics. It might be quicken-specific but it exists now.

Only took six years and it makes Sudden Quicken pretty much worthless but hey, someone must have snuck it past the Wizardocracy censors.