Bouncing Enervation?

[Ravingdork]

Can you apply the Bouncing Spell metamagic feat to rays, like Enervation or Scorching Ray so that you can redirect them to a different target if you miss the initial touch attack roll?

[concerro]

No. The bouncing spell works off of saves and targeted spells.
No saves or target(such as charm person) and no bouncing.

[Corlindale]

To be a little more precise, I think it only works on spells with a "Target" entry, since they are technically the only spells that are applicable for targeting a single creature. Ray spells don't "target" by the rules, they are "Effect" spells.

It doesn't particularly matter whether the spell allows a save, though - since bouncing also works if it fails to penetrate SR.

[concerro]

Good point with the SR.

[Ravingdork]

I don't see where it says the spell has to be a target spell. The only restriction is that it must be an all or nothing spell. Enervation seems to fit that limitation.

[Corlindale]

It specifically says it has to be a spell targeting a single creature. A ray spell doesn't technically target a creature, it creates a ray (which you then fire at a creature). There's a pretty strong distinction between "target" and "effect" spells in the magic rules.

Also, if it had worked on spells with attacks rolls, there would almost certainly have been a clause about that in the feat, as to whether to use the same attack roll or make a new one, etc.

[concerro]

RD only certain spells actually target creatures. That is why I mentioned Charm Person since it is targeting spell.

Benefit: Whenever a bouncing spell targeting a single creature has no effect on its intended target (whether due to spell resistance or a successful saving throw) you may, as a swift action, redirect it to target another eligible creature within range. The redirected spell behaves in all ways as if its new target were the original target for the spell. Spells that affect a target in any way (including a lesser effect from a successful saving throw) may not be redirected in this manner.

Rays are effect based spells, not target based.

[Archaeik]

Bouncing Spell wrote:

Whenever a bouncing spell targeting a single creature has no effect on its intended target (whether due to spell resistance or a successful saving throw) you may, as a swift action, redirect it to target another eligible creature within range. The redirected spell behaves in all ways as if its new target were the original target for the spell. Spells that affect a target in any way (including a lesser effect from a successful saving throw) may not be redirected in this manner. A bouncing spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell's actual level.

So it specifies single target, but also specifies the 2 conditions it works on.

It doesn't use ambiguous language like "such as"

Therefore Bouncing Spell does not work for failed touch attacks.

[concerro]

Another good point Archaeik. That takes away failing to hit an AC as a valid way to move onto another creature so that is another nail in the coffin.