AttilaTheGeek
2013-02-28, 03:33 PM
These are a few new ways of paying for metamagic feats, which are designed to make metamagic available at low level. They're also intended to remain relevant at high level.
Bolster Spell (Metamagic)
By expending additional spell slots, you can cast more powerful spells.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of a bolstered spell are increased by half. A bolstered spell follows the normal rule that multiple numeric metamagic feats applied to a single spell interact in the most beneficial way possible.
Level increase: None, but a bolstered spell takes up two spell slots of the spell's level. For example, a Bolstered Fireball cast at caster level 10 deals 15d6 damage at the cost of two 3rd-level spell slots.
Strengthen Spell (Metamagic)
By expending even more spell slots, you can cast incredibly powerful spells.
Prerequisites: Bolster Spell.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of a bolstered spell are doubled. In addition, if the spell allows a saving throw, targets must save twice against its effects or be affected normally. A strengthened spell follows the normal rule that multiple numeric metamagic feats applied to a single spell interact in the most beneficial way possible.
Level increase: None, but a bolstered spell takes up three spell slots of the spell's level. For example, a Strengthened Fireball cast at caster level 10 deals 20d6 damage at the cost of three 3rd-level spell slots.
I created these to give low-level blasters a little more punch, and to make metamagic accessible to lower levels. It also works for healing. I originally had them spend two spell slots for double effect and three spell slots for triple, but then I realized that just amounted to casting two or three spells at the same time, so I made them a little less efficient.
Overcharge Spell (Metamagic)
You can strengthen a spell, but it has a chance to fail.
Only a spell already enhanced by another metamagic feat can be overcharged. The level increase increase from the other metamagic feat is ignored, but the spell has a cumulative 20% chance to fail per level increase in the other metamagic feat.
For example, an Overcharged Silent Magic Missile still uses a 1st-level spell slot, but has a 20% chance to fail. An Overcharged Empowered Magic Missile also uses a a 1st-level spell slot, but it has a 40% chance to fail because Empower usually increases a spell's level by +2.
The risky mage who's feeling lucky can even cast a Quickened Magic Missile in a 1st-level slot, but it only has a 20% chance to work.
Focus Spell (Metamagic)
By spending additional time on a spell, you can control more powerful magic.
Only a spell already enhanced by another metamagic feat can be focused on. The level increase increase from the other metamagic feat is ignored, but the spell's casting and preparation times are multiplied by the level increase of the other metamagic feat plus one. Focus Spell cannot be applied to a Quickened spell.
For example, a Focused Silent Magic Missile still uses a 1st-level spell slot, but takes two rounds to cast and twice as long to prepare. An Focused Empowered Magic Missile also uses a a 1st-level spell slot, but takes three rounds to cast because Empower usually increases a spell's level by +2.
I figured this would have primarily out-of combat uses, but given that most metamagics have in-combat bonuses it shouldn't be overpowered. Useful for getting the jump on someone, perhaps?
Bolster Spell (Metamagic)
By expending additional spell slots, you can cast more powerful spells.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of a bolstered spell are increased by half. A bolstered spell follows the normal rule that multiple numeric metamagic feats applied to a single spell interact in the most beneficial way possible.
Level increase: None, but a bolstered spell takes up two spell slots of the spell's level. For example, a Bolstered Fireball cast at caster level 10 deals 15d6 damage at the cost of two 3rd-level spell slots.
Strengthen Spell (Metamagic)
By expending even more spell slots, you can cast incredibly powerful spells.
Prerequisites: Bolster Spell.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of a bolstered spell are doubled. In addition, if the spell allows a saving throw, targets must save twice against its effects or be affected normally. A strengthened spell follows the normal rule that multiple numeric metamagic feats applied to a single spell interact in the most beneficial way possible.
Level increase: None, but a bolstered spell takes up three spell slots of the spell's level. For example, a Strengthened Fireball cast at caster level 10 deals 20d6 damage at the cost of three 3rd-level spell slots.
I created these to give low-level blasters a little more punch, and to make metamagic accessible to lower levels. It also works for healing. I originally had them spend two spell slots for double effect and three spell slots for triple, but then I realized that just amounted to casting two or three spells at the same time, so I made them a little less efficient.
Overcharge Spell (Metamagic)
You can strengthen a spell, but it has a chance to fail.
Only a spell already enhanced by another metamagic feat can be overcharged. The level increase increase from the other metamagic feat is ignored, but the spell has a cumulative 20% chance to fail per level increase in the other metamagic feat.
For example, an Overcharged Silent Magic Missile still uses a 1st-level spell slot, but has a 20% chance to fail. An Overcharged Empowered Magic Missile also uses a a 1st-level spell slot, but it has a 40% chance to fail because Empower usually increases a spell's level by +2.
The risky mage who's feeling lucky can even cast a Quickened Magic Missile in a 1st-level slot, but it only has a 20% chance to work.
Focus Spell (Metamagic)
By spending additional time on a spell, you can control more powerful magic.
Only a spell already enhanced by another metamagic feat can be focused on. The level increase increase from the other metamagic feat is ignored, but the spell's casting and preparation times are multiplied by the level increase of the other metamagic feat plus one. Focus Spell cannot be applied to a Quickened spell.
For example, a Focused Silent Magic Missile still uses a 1st-level spell slot, but takes two rounds to cast and twice as long to prepare. An Focused Empowered Magic Missile also uses a a 1st-level spell slot, but takes three rounds to cast because Empower usually increases a spell's level by +2.
I figured this would have primarily out-of combat uses, but given that most metamagics have in-combat bonuses it shouldn't be overpowered. Useful for getting the jump on someone, perhaps?