Blood Intensity Bloodline Mutation for a shocking grasp build

[Prof. Löwenzahn]

Hi folks,

this is at first a rules question, but I'd appreciate some advice as well. The character in question is a Bloodrager Blood Conduit who performs bull rushs and then casts swift action touch spells along. Shocking grasp is obvious, but it caps at 5w6. Then I found this:

Blood Intensity:

Whenever you cast a bloodrager or sorcerer spell that deals damage, you can increase its maximum number of damage dice by an amount equal to your Strength or Charisma modifier, whichever is higher. This otherwise functions as —and does not stack with—the Intensified Spell feat. You can use this ability once per day at 3rd level and one additional time per day for every 4 caster levels you have beyond 3rd, up to five times per day at 19th level.
This ability replaces the sorcerer's 3rd-level bloodline power or the bloodrager's 8th-level bloodline power.

Since Bloodragers have the highest possible STR, my maths have revealed that with this I will have 1d6/level up to level 20 (22 to be honest), which makes me want to focus solely on shocking grasp.

My rules question:

Does the mutation take a higher level slot as the intensified spell metamagic talent?

Depending on the answer I'm considering burning all my slots with shocking grasp. I am looking for optimization.

1. Are there possibilities (traits, magic items, rare feats) to enhance this particular spell or the casting situation I described?
2. Are there other spells from the bloodrager list that benefit significantly from this mutation except: Burning Hands and corrosive touch? Level caps of 10 are quite late in game and in my mind don't justify one of the few uses I have.
3. I can also use my 3rd or 4th level slots to cast shocking grasp, but this would be a waste. So I should use meatamagic to adjust the slot level, but don't know much about the possibilities. Which metamagic feats would you recommend? Is there another possibility except taking the feat or wielding rods? My char has not many feats to spare...

[Saethori]

Prof. Löwenzahn wrote:

my maths have revealed that with this I will have 1d6/level up to level 20 (22 to be honest), which makes me want to focus solely on shocking grasp.

That is... a lot of strength. A modifier of 17, meaning a Strength score of 44, seems very difficult to pull off, though if you're that high level, maybe there's a way.

Quote:

Does the mutation take a higher level slot as the intensified spell metamagic talent?

No. The price you're paying is the loss of your bloodline power, and the fact that it's only a limited number of times a day.

Quote:

Depending on the answer I'm considering burning all my slots with shocking grasp.

You can, at most, use this five times a day. Maybe a little more with hijinks, but certainly not "all your spell slots".

Quote:

1. Are there possibilities (traits, magic items, rare feats) to enhance this particular spell or the casting situation I described?

2. Are there other spells from the bloodrager list that benefit significantly from this mutation except: Burning Hands and corrosive touch? Level caps of 10 are quite late in game and in my mind don't justify one of the few uses I have.
3. I can also use my 3rd or 4th level slots to cast shocking grasp, but this would be a waste. So I should use meatamagic to adjust the slot level, but don't know much about the possibilities. Which metamagic feats would you recommend? Is there another possibility except taking the feat or wielding rods? My char has not many feats to spare...

1. There are various ways to do so, but you're already using one of the strongest. A draconic bloodline (for a electric dragon) will probably be of the most help; dipping one level into sorcerer gets you the arcana that nets +1 damage per die rolled, and you're rolling a lot of dice.

2. Shocking Grasp is often considered the pinnacle for effects like this.
3. Intensify Spell seems like a given, so you can use the spell more effectively when your daily uses are expired. Empower Spell can also be very powerful. You definitely should get Spontaneous Metafocus, however.

[Firebug]

Runestone of Power is a thing. If you haven't considered traits yet, like a Magus, picking up Wayang Spellhunter and Magical Lineage for Empowered Shocking Grasp as a 1st level slot.

[Prof. Löwenzahn]

Thanks a lot :)

Empowered it is then. The sorcerer dip looks nice too, but weakens my martial power a little. Not sure if I consider it worth it.

I am mid game already but could chose a trait via drawback still.

Well yeah, the 5 maximum uses prevent me from burning all slots of course. In this case I probably could cast all my uses with 1st level slots with the help of runestones of power.

My STR modifier at level 20 consists of 4 base, 4 mighty bloodrage, 2 level increases on 8 and 16, 3 from belt, 2 from form of the dragon I that I get for free with my 16th level arcane power and finally 3 from the abyssal bloodrage (I am crossblooded). With the 5d6 from shocking grasp that's even 23d6, and I could add tomes still

[Firebug]

You still need the caster level of 23 to get 23d6 by my reading. It functions as intensify spell.

[Secret Wizard]

You should get Spell Specialization to boost Caster Level quickly.