Spellcasting and Ability Scores

[Jiggy]

Alright, I have a small handful of nitpicky questions regarding spellcasting and ability scores. Specifically, this all relates to the rule that you can't learn, prepare, or cast a spell unless you have a relevant ability score of at least 10 plus the spell level.

1) Suppose I had a high-level Sorcerer with CHA of only 11 (for whatever reason). I would of course get all my 0- and 1st-level spells as normal, but no higher. But since you're normally allowed to use a higher-level spell slot to cast a lower-level spell (like if you desperately need a Feather Fall), could I just leave my CHA at 11 and be content to use all my spell slots of various levels to cast the same 1st-level spells over and over, casting dozens upon dozens of Magic Missiles per day?

2)a) Suppose the above Sorcerer takes a Metamagic Feat (say, Quicken Spell). Since the spell takes up a higher slot, but its level isn't *actually* changed, he could still cast Quickened Magic Missiles with his 11 CHA?

2)b) What if the feat is instead Heighten Spell, which alters the effective spell level? Would that feat be useless to our 11-CHA friend?

2)c) Do the answers to (a) and/or (b) change if it's a wizard instead, since he has to prepare his metamagic spells at the appropriate level in advance?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[FarmerBob]

1) Yes, you can certainly use higher level slots for lower level spells. The limit is related to spell level, not slot level

2a) Yes. The spell level is not changed.

2b) Yes, the Heightened Spell metamagic feat would not be as useful for this caster.

2c) No, it doesn't matter if this example was a Wizard instead.

[concerro]

1. You don't have access to the higher level slot if your charisma is not high enough.
2.The level does not change but it still burns up that higher level slot.
2b and 2c. no

[concerro]

For number 2 with the heightened spell I was saying you can not use it. sorry about the wording.

[concerro]

I might be incorrect about that by RAW. Standby.

Edit:FB is correct.

[Grick]

Just adding the source, in case anyone is interested.

Spell Slots: "A spellcaster who lacks a high enough ability score to cast spells that would otherwise be his due still gets the slots but must fill them with spells of lower levels."

(Same for Divine spells, btw)

[Jiggy]

Fantastic! This seems like a really efficient way to build a versatile half-caster, like an Eldritch Knight. Just have to be really careful about what spells to use (Magic Missile and rays being the most obviously appropriate).

Thanks folks!