Casting a level 1 spell in a level 0 slot

[Starcoffin]

Magical Lineage:

One of your parents was a gifted spellcaster who not only used metamagic often, but also developed many magical items and perhaps even a new spell or two—and you have inherited a fragment of this greatness. Pick one spell when you choose this trait. When you apply metamagic feats to this spell, treat its actual level as 1 lower for determining the spell's final adjusted level. (PRD)

Merciful Spell:

You can alter spells that inflict damage to inflict nonlethal damage instead. Spells that inflict damage of a particular type (such as fire) inflict nonlethal damage of that same type. A merciful spell does not use up a higher-level spell slot than the spell's actual level. (PRD)

I know it is not really in the spirit of the game, but does that mean I can take Magical Lineage, select Magic Missile and take Merciful Spell; then at level 9 for a level 0 spell get 5d4+9 (nonlethal) at a range of 190ft?

[Rynjin]

Editor's Note wrote:

Magical Lineage was never intended as a way for you to actually lower a spell's level. It was put in to allow you to reduce the increase from a metamagic feat.

Unless said Editor isn't a credible source.

[Starcoffin]

Rynjin wrote:

Quote:

Magical Lineage was never intended as a way for you to actually lower a spell's level. It was put in to allow you to reduce the increase from a metamagic feat.

Hence, not in the spirit of the game, but RAW, does this work?

[Aelryinth]

No. You cannot reduce a spell below it's original spell level.

The ruling was invoked for purposes of unlimited Energized Shocking Grasps for Magus players NOT getting to use that effect every round.

==Aelryinth

[Starcoffin]

Aelryinth wrote:

You cannot reduce a spell below it's original spell level.

Where is this ruling? I have a player using this on me and I don't just want to shut them down because he found a loophole.

[Aelryinth]

It's in the PFSociety FAQ's.

And no player can 'use it on you.' Simply say he is going against the spirit and intent of the rules, and you as the GM aren't going to allow it in this game. Ask if he understands why you are making this ruling. If he whines incessantly, he's exploiting a loophole, he knows it, and you should get rid of him.

Alternatively, exclaim that that is a GREAT RULING, and he's absolutely right! Give all your NPC's a level of Magus, those traits, and make sure every single time he's attacked by an NPC, he gets to eat an extra shocking grasp along with a weapon attack. This is especially fun if they get iteratives and can hit him more then once a round.

In short, kill him a few times with his trick. he might see what's wrong with it. If not, keep killing him with it.

This is a GM/Player issue, not a rules issue.

==Aelryinth