11
\$\begingroup\$

In our current 3.5 module, my brother plays a Sorcerer. His favourite antic is Ray of Enfeeblement. He always casts it as a Chain and as a 9th level spell to do inflict a 9d6 strength penalty. I believe in the mix he's also using Empower Spell and Heighten Spell.

My question: When multiple metamagic feats alter the spell slot, and Heighten Spell is used in the mix, does the final spell slot determine the Heighten Spell effect, or only the levels adjusted from Heighten Spell?

Example:
Ray of Enfeeblement (1st level spell)
+ Chain Spell (+3)
+ Empower Spell (+2)
+ Heighten Spell (+3)
= 9th level spell

Thus, in this mix Heighten Spell only increases the spell slot by +3 in total (Basically a 4th level spell slot), however the final spell fills a 9th level slot.

For determining the benefits of Heighten Spell, which "effective level" would the spell be cast at?

Ray of Enfeeblement

The subject takes a penalty to Strength equal to 1d6+1 per two caster levels (maximum 1d6+5).

Chain Spell

Any spell that specifies a single target and has a range greater than touch can be chained so as to affect that primary target normally, then arc to a number of secondary targets equal to your caster level (maximum 20). Each arc affects one secondary target chosen by you, all of which must be within 30 feet of the primary target, and none of which can be affected more than once. You can choose to affect fewer secondary targets than the maximum.
A chained spell uses up a spell slot three levels higher than the spell's actual level.

Empower Spell

All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by one-half.
An empowered spell uses up a spell slot two levels higher than the spell's actual level.

Heighten Spell

A heightened spell has a higher spell level than normal (up to a maximum of 9th level). Unlike other metamagic feats, Heighten Spell actually increases the effective level of the spell that it modifies. All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs and ability to penetrate a lesser globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the heightened level.
The heightened spell is as difficult to prepare and cast as a spell of its effective level.

\$\endgroup\$
5
  • 4
    \$\begingroup\$ As an aside: he may be very interested in the ... remarkably depressing Shivering Touch spell from Frostburn. If he has a signature spell, he might also like practical metamagic, reach spell, and arcane thesis. \$\endgroup\$ Sep 29, 2013 at 10:36
  • \$\begingroup\$ Why is he using Heighten Spell on Ray of Enfeeblement? It raises the save on the Chain part by 3, but that's all it does. Barely worth it to drain some strength as a 9th level spell. \$\endgroup\$
    – Tridus
    Sep 29, 2013 at 11:16
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Tridus - My brother's interpretation of Ray of Enfeeblement is fundamentally wrong. I'm not entirely sure on the feats he's using, however he's casting it as a 9th level chain spell and rolling 9d6. I've been researching all metamagic feats to ensure my understanding of them, and how they interact with each other, is concrete before I present my argument to him. Also, he's not of a level to be able to cast 9th level spells, and when you believe you can do 9d6 str drain to all the opponents, wouldn't you do everything you can to ensure it hits? \$\endgroup\$ Oct 4, 2013 at 4:33
  • \$\begingroup\$ @BrianBallsun-Stanton - I will research into your suggestions to present to him after I crush his soul. \$\endgroup\$ Oct 4, 2013 at 4:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ Could you include how he manages to come up with the 9d6 number? The way you phrase it sounds like it's being dealt to each target, which definitely seems wrong. \$\endgroup\$ Dec 3, 2015 at 23:54

1 Answer 1

17
\$\begingroup\$

You would cast a 4th-level Ray of Enfeeblement, and it would cost a 9th-level spell slot.

Without Heighten Spell, it would be a 1st-level Ray of Enfeeblement costing a 6th-level spell slot.

Metamagic does not increase the effective level of a spell. Instead, for powering up the spell with other effects (like chain and empowerment), you pay the price of a higher-level spell slot for a lower-level spell. If you wind up with a 1st-level spell taking up a 6th-level spell slot thanks to metamagic, it's still a 1st-level spell.

Powering up the effective level of a spell is exclusively the role of Heighten Spell. Think about it: if Chain Spell meant you were also casting an effective-level-4 Ray of Enfeeblement, what would be the point of Heighten Spell even existing?

See the bolded text here, in which it increase the effective level of a spell - emphatically, unlike other metamagic feats:

Heighten Spell [Metamagic]

Benefit: A heightened spell has a higher spell level than normal (up to a maximum of 9th level). Unlike other metamagic feats, Heighten Spell actually increases the effective level of the spell that it modifies. All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs and ability to penetrate a lesser globe of invulnerability) are calculated according to the heightened level. The heightened spell is as difficult to prepare and cast as a spell of its effective level.

\$\endgroup\$
2
  • \$\begingroup\$ +1 Thanks. I saw that part of Heighten Spell, explicitly stating other metamagics do not increase the spell level. My brother tends to take a creative reading of the rules and, having been a DM of his own module, is difficult to reason with. Your answers helps to confirm what I suspected, essentially Heighten Spell is applied before the remaining feats. \$\endgroup\$ Sep 29, 2013 at 8:33
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Rosaline It isn't important to distinguish that Heighten Spell is applied beforehand (it's not, necessarily). The important thing is to recognise that effective level has nothing to do with the spell slot a spell costs. The spell slot is just a cost; the effective level is its actual strength. \$\endgroup\$ Sep 29, 2013 at 8:54

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .