Why no quicken spell for sorcerers?

[BigCat]

Hi all-

I'm considering an all-spontaneous casters campaign, and I'd like to keep quicken spell as an option. I have to confess I've never really understood why sorcs aren't allowed to use it - does anyone have a good handle on the reasoning behind this? Any thoughts on balance issues that might come from allowing it?

 

[Infiniti2000]

If metamagic extends the time to cast a spontaneous spell from a single action to a full round action, then Quicken doesn't make sense. You could debate long and hard about the balance of the sorcerer class, as evidenced by many recent polls and threads.

 

[Merlion]

If metamagic extends the time to cast a spontaneous spell from a single action to a full round action, then Quicken doesn't make sense. .

Thats why Quicken should simply be written as an exception to that rule.

I'm considering an all-spontaneous casters campaign, and I'd like to keep quicken spell as an option. I have to confess I've never really understood why sorcs aren't allowed to use it - does anyone have a good handle on the reasoning behind this? Any thoughts on balance issues that might come from allowing it?

Check out the various Spontaneous metamagic variants in Unearthed Arcana (the WOTC book of variant rules and systems).


Or consider trying out Arcana Unearthed (Monte Cook's game that's basically variant D&D..the magic system is slightly different including all "spontaneous" spellcasting, and a different aproach to "metamagic")

 

[Thanee]

I have tried my hands at an alternative version of the UA spontaneous metamagic system, which can be found HERE.

Maybe it's useful for you.

Bye
Thanee

 

[IcyCool]

Pick up Arcane Preparation from Complete Arcane.

 

[Merlion]

Pick up Arcane Preparation from Complete Arcane.

Yea so you can spend 2 feats intstead of one, and have to use a higher level slot to actually get the things effect.


Metamagic as a whole in standard D&D mostly stinks, because you pay to much and to many times for it. Quicken and Empower are just about the only worthwhile ones. But a Sorcerer having to take 2 feats to use it makes it totally ridcules again.


Now Spontaneous Metamagic is another story

 

[IcyCool]

Yea so you can spend 2 feats intstead of one, and have to use a higher level slot to actually get the things effect.

As opposed to getting two spells of your choice a round for no slot level increase without having to decide before hand? You bet. Is there even an Epic feat that is that good?

 

[Zimbel]

Hi all-

I'm considering an all-spontaneous casters campaign, and I'd like to keep quicken spell as an option. I have to confess I've never really understood why sorcs aren't allowed to use it - does anyone have a good handle on the reasoning behind this? Any thoughts on balance issues that might come from allowing it?

Because it would make sorcerers stronger compared to the other major spellcasters. However, if you have an all-spontaneous campaign, I'd tend to change it as follows:
1) reduce the cost.
2) limit the effect to a limited number of times per day.

The first makes it more viable for use; the second prevents high-level casters from always quickening every round, thus becoming even more powerful in relation to non-casters.

Two examples of how to do this:
AE/AU: Quicken spell costs +1 spell slot of the same level, but can only be used 3x/day.
Thanee's version: Quicken spell can be used 3x/day (but there's a spell level cap).

 

[irdeggman]

Maybe for the same reasons that Bard's can't use Silent Spell?

Something to do with mechanics and flavor and all that.

Remember that sorcerers tend to make out when using metamagic feats already.

Spontaneous casting and spontaneous use of any metamagic feats they know, unlike wizards who have to memorize metamagiced versions of their spells.

 

[Merlion]

As opposed to getting two spells of your choice a round for no slot level increase without having to decide before hand? You bet. Is there even an Epic feat that is that good?

Have you seen the Unearthed Arcana Spontaneous Metamagic rules?


theres a couple versions. Neither require a higher spell slot. One involves limited uses per day of the feat...and you can only use it on spell levels you'd be able to in the regular system.

The other, which I dont know well, involves using extra slots to access metamagic. Both are no where near overpowered...and also not underpowered, as standard metamagic is.