I found this thread, but I'm not sure what the OP means when he refers to metamagic mastery feats.
What I'm trying to determine, is if I could use a metamagic feat to bolster a spell I cast from a staff. If so, how do you treat the part about the metamagic'd spell taking up a higher spell slot?
Also, what if I hold a rod of maximize spell (greater) in one hand, and a staff of evocation in the other hand? Could I use the rod of maximize, and dish out a maximized chain lightning?
Staves are spell trigger magic items, just like wands. You are activating an item to cast the spell for you.
When you wield a staff, it looks an awful lot like you are casting its spell, but you really aren't. The biggest differences are that using a staff doesn't provoke like spellcasting does, and you don't have to provide expensive components.
Metamagic feats and rods affect spells you cast, not items you use.
Thanks, Adam, but can you point me to where the rules go over that? I looked at the sections describing staves, rods, and activation methods, and couldn't find where it's covered.
Metamagic Feats page, Effects of Metamagic Feats on a Spell section, second paragraph:
The modifications made by these feats only apply to spells cast directly by the feat user. A spellcaster can't use a metamagic feat to alter a spell being cast from a wand, scroll, or other device.
Ah ha - the one place I didn't think to look. Heh heh - thanks :)