Let's assume I'm a Wizard9 with a caster level of 9. I have 4 BAB.
On round 1, I cast chill touch as a standard action. How many creatures can I touch that round?
Starting on round 2, how many creatures can I touch?
How does having a higher BAB affect the number of times I can touch something? How does haste affect this?
At any level, when you cast the spell you get ONE touch attack as part of the same standard action used to cast it. Either cast on the defensive or else rely on your magical defenses to protect you from the attack of opportunity.
In successive rounds you may make a single touch attack as a standard action.
If you have a high base attack bonus (6+) or are hasted than you get multiple attacks EXCEPT for when you cast the spell. For example, a 20th-level wizard with haste is killing squirrels in his backyard (quick little f*$&ers). When he casts the spell he can make one touch attack as part of the casting. In later rounds he can make 3 touch attacks as a full round action (two for his high base attack bonus and one more for being hasted).
He could continue making touch attacks until he manages to kill 20 squirrels (since the spell says he can make a number of successful touch attacks equal to his caster level). Once he runs out, he will have to cast a new spell (which might be another chill touch).
Thank you Ravingdork for your consistent helpful responses. I award you a smile and a virtual cookie!
Now then, if the Wizard cast chill touch as a swift action, would he get his full allotment of touch attacks on that round?
Thanks! That's got to be the coolest cookie I've ever been given!
As to your question: A wizard casting quickened chill touch (those squirrels are REALLY fast!) would get his allotment +1 (+1 as part of the casting and then the rest off of base attack bonus and other factors).