Spell perfection with spell specialization, varisian tattoo or intensified spell


Rules Questions


How does Spell Perfection work with Spell Specialization, Varisian Tattoo or Intensified Spell?

Normally a Fireball does 1d6 damage per caster level up to a maximum of 10d6 damage. An Intensified Fireball can do up to 15d6 damage. If I have Spell Perfection (Fireball), would my Intensified Fireballs have a maximum damage of 15d6 or 20d6? That is, does Spell Perfection apply to the bonus applied by Intensified Spell?

Now, say that I've multiclassed and I'm a 5th level caster with Spell Specialization (Fireball) and Spell Perfection (Fireball). Would my Fireballs do 7d6 or 9d6 damage? That is, does Spell Perfection apply to the caster level bonus given by Spell Specialization?

Same example as last time, but with a Varisian Tattoo (Evocation) instead of Spell Specialization (Fireball). Would my Fireballs do 6d6 or 7d6 damage? That is, does Spell Perfection apply to the caster level bonus given by Varisian Tattoo?

Spell Perfection wrote:
Benefit: Pick one spell which you have the ability to cast. Whenever you cast that spell you may apply any one metamagic feat you have to that spell without affecting its level or casting time, as long as the total modified level of the spell does not use a spell slot above 9th level. In addition, if you have other feats which allow you to apply a set numerical bonus to any aspect of this spell (such as Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Weapon Focus [ray], and so on), double the bonus granted by that feat when applied to this spell.
Intensified Spell wrote:
Benefit: An intensified spell increases the maximum number of damage dice by 5 levels. You must actually have sufficient caster levels to surpass the maximum in order to benefit from this feat. No other variables of the spell are affected, and spells that inflict damage that is not modified by caster level are not affected by this feat.
Spell Specialization wrote:
Benefit: Select one spell of a school for which you have taken the Spell Focus feat. Treat your caster level as being two higher for all level-variable effects of the spell.
Varisian Tattoo wrote:
Benefit: Select a school of magic (other than divination) in which you have Spell Focus—you cast spells from this school at +1 caster level. Additionally, you gain a single spell-like ability usable up to three times per day.

The Exchange

Intensified Spell is a metamagic Feat itself, so doesn't come under the purview of the 'other Feats' which Spell Perfection is talking about. You could chose it as the one metamagic Feat you can add to your perfected spell without adjusting the level or casting time, but that wouldn't change the bonus Intensified Spell actually gives you.

Spell Specialization and Varisian Tattoo are both 'other Feats', so those bonuses would be doubled when applied to your perfected spell. With both you'd get the equivalent of +6 to your caster level.

As a 5th level caster your standard fireball does 5d6. Adding Spell Specialization and Varisian Tattoo means it does 8d6. your perfected intensified fireball with the same two Feats does 11d6.


For the record, as I read it, there are three possible interpretations of the "other feats" in Spell Perfection:

1) feats other than Spell Perfection
2) feats other than the metamagic feats applied to the spell
3) feats other than the metamagic feat Spell Perfection removes the level increase of

Dark Archive

Its kind of why spell perfection requires character level 15 (15 ranks in spellcraft at a maximum of 1 rank/level), it limits the effectiveness of its increase on things like varisian tattoo and spell specialisation.

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