All Things Arcane 101: Metamagic Feats

Ah, welcome back class.

Today we are going to go over the core metamagic feats and practical uses for them with a brief example of some of my most favorite spell/metamagic feat combinations. There are a few exceptions… Still-spell and Silent-spell will not be covered in this class because I feel they are not metamagic feats and should be listed as (general) like eschew materials. That is another tirade entirely so let’s move forward. Metamagic feats are used to enhance and shape the art into more useful and powerful forms. Most metamagic feats can be stacked on top of each other for a more dramatic effect. All metamagic feats take up one or more spell slots higher than the original spell build.

The Empower Spell allows you to use spells with random variables to greater effect at the cost of being two spell slots higher than the build. If there are no random variables in the spell then this feat cannot be used. Keep in mind if there are variable targets in the spell those are also empowered. When using the term “random variable” think of dice being rolled… if no dice are being rolled for the spells damage, healing or number of targets then Empower cannot affect the spell. I am a big fan of Empower Spell because it is slightly cheaper then and has more payload potential then you can get out of a maximized spell. Besides, when you maximize a spell you do not get to roll any dice… and that is part of the fun for me! Attaching this feat to any eligible spell is worth trying. My favorite spell to use with the Empower Spell feat is Ray of Enfeeblement. A tenth level wizard casting an Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement can shut a warrior or strength dependent character/monster down. 1st) it’s a ranged touch attack which is pretty easy to hit with. 2nd) there is no save for this spell so if he is hit he is losing strength. 3rd) at tenth level the strength lost is 9-16! Most warriors would not be able to hold a sword let alone stand in their armor after that kind of blow to the attribute. All of that for a third level spell slot is hard to beat.

The next metamagic feat is Enlarge Spell which extends the range of any close, medium or long range spell for the cost of one spell slot higher than the spell build. This feat is pretty self explanatory and I have not used it much personally because I feel it would take the battle off of the battle-mat. It makes the long range spell useable at absurd distances. For instance a tenth level wizard could hurl an Enlarged Fireball at a range of 1600 feet… In battle-mat terms that’s 320 squares. Seeing how standard battle-mats end at 48-72 squares this wizard could target and drop his Fireballs on the unused minis up on the shelves over the players’ heads. If range is what you desire this feat delivers.

Moving on is the utility feat Extend Spell which allows you to double the duration of any spell that does not have a duration of concentration, instantaneous or permanent for one spell slot higher than the spell build. As I stated above I try to use this feat with my utility spells and party/self buffs. This feat has many practical uses but is pretty cut and dry… it makes spells last longer. One thing does stand out in my mind though. With this feat a 15th level wizard could make himself totally immune to any one energy type for 48 hours at the cost of an 8th level spell slot… This is pretty cool if you ask me.

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