*Why* full round metamagic for socerers?

[tomBitonti]

Hi,

The title says it all, although, a bit tersely. What is the reason for sorcerers (and other spontaneous casters) to have to spend a full round casting a metamagiced spell?

I know this is the rule, so I'm am not asking for a clarification on the rule's mechanics. I'm looking for a rationale for why this should be the case and/or a game balance reason.

I'm asking because the cost, in terms of using a higher level spell slot, would seem to be enough of a payment for the metamagic effect. Also, because the cost is an extra one that only spontaneous casters must pay.

Thanks!

Tom Bitonti

 

[Darklone]

Sorcerers are pretty strong to be able to apply Metamagic on the fly... That's their big advantage.

Giving it to them without the full round casting time would be too strong.

 

[Umbran]

Well, the spontaneous caster can choose what spell he can cast on the fly. The basic balance for that is that he's got a smaller list of known spells. The spontaneous caster typically can cast more spells, and that is balanced by them typically being slighly lower level than the prepared caster can muster.

So, the spontaneous caster can spontaneously choose what metamagic to apply. Certainly, that's more flexible (and thus more powerful) than what the preparing spellcaster has. So, there ought to be a balance - and they chose casting time to be the balance. He can do it on the fly, but it takes a bit longer.

 

[KarinsDad]

Spontaneous Metamagic, IMO, is one of the strongest casting features in the game. As such, it does need a balancing factor. A con to its pro.

Extending it to a full round is more of an annoyance than it is anything else. That is not much of a limiting factor. Yes, it does prevent a spontaneous caster from moving and metamagic casting, or metamagic casting and then moving, but this is not overwhelmingly limiting. Most spontaneous casters can metamagic cast if they want to almost every single round.

 

[werk]

What Umbran said.

Metamagic on the fly with no drawback gives yet another advantage to spontaneous casters over the advantage it provides prep casters.

Prep casting is hard, they deserve everything they can get.

 

[takasi]

You guys really don't think the slower spell progression, limited number of spells known and lack of bonus item creation feats screw over the sorcerer enough already?

 

[tomBitonti]

Thx

Ok, I think I get it now. Casters who must prepare their spells are forced
ahead of time to select which spells to which to apply the metamagic; that
is an extra cost to them (relative to spontaneous casters). The full round
cost to spontaneous casters evens the boat.

Pondering this, just thought of a new feat for spontaneous casters:

Prime Metamagic: [Metamagic]

Prerequisite: Ability to spontaneously cast spells. Any metamagic feat.

Benefit: With this feat, as a full round action, you are able to prepare a single spell
on which you apply a metamagic feat. This consumes a spell slot of the appropriate
level. When you finally cast the spell, you do so using the normal casting time of the
spell. At any given time you may only have a single spell prepared using this feat.

Thx!

 

[KarinsDad]

You guys really don't think the slower spell progression, limited number of spells known and lack of bonus item creation feats screw over the sorcerer enough already?

No. I think the Sorcerer is the most potent core spell caster in the game system.

Spontaneous spell casting is huge. Spontaneous metamagic spell casting is even bigger.


I realize that I am in a minority with this opinion, but that's ok.

 

[Deset Gled]

Because WotC hates sorcerers.

Yes, it is designed to be a balancing factor. But IMO, WotC went really overboard when it came to metamagic stuff, especially for the sorcs. To cast a metamagic spell, sorcerers have to spend a feat, burn a higher spell slot, and take a longer casting time. That's an awful lot to give up, considering a wizard can do the same thing by just spending some GP on a special rod (and gets bonus feats as well).

 

[KarinsDad]

Prime Metamagic: [Metamagic]

Prerequisite: Ability to spontaneously cast spells. Any metamagic feat.

Benefit: With this feat, as a full round action, you are able to prepare a single spell
on which you apply a metamagic feat. This consumes a spell slot of the appropriate
level. When you finally cast the spell, you do so using the normal casting time of the
spell. At any given time you may only have a single spell prepared using this feat.

There is already an Arcane Preparation feat in Complete Divine (IIRC) that does this, except it takes the normal 15 minute prep time as opposed to a full round action. Course, it allows for multiple prepped spells. However, your feat here might be a little too potent since it can be used quickly between combats (or while casting spells to prep for a combat).