Is the effect of Piercing Spell (Metamagic) doubled by spell perfection?

[Grayfeather]

Piercing Spell (Metamagic)

Benefit: When you cast a piercing spell against a target with spell resistance, it treats the spell resistance of the target as 5 lower than its actual SR.

Spell Perfection

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.

So with the above said is the SR lowered by 10? I have Spell Penetration and Greater Spell Penetration so if so a combined 14 point starting difference is pretty salty.

[cwslyclgh]

No.

because Piercing Spell does not provide a set numerical bonus.

If the feat was written so that you got to add 5 to your check to over come spell resistance, then it would count... but the way it is written Piercing Spell doesn't provide a bonus at all, it provides what amounts to a virtual penalty to the opponents SR.

[Grayfeather]

cwslyclgh wrote:

No.

because Piercing Spell does not provide a set numerical bonus.

If the feat was written so that you got to add 5 to your check to over come spell resistance, then it would count... but the way it is written Piercing Spell doesn't provide a bonus at all, it provides what amounts to a virtual penalty to the opponents SR.

Hmm see this seems contrary to what ive seen elsewhere on the forum, hence why i asked.

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o4lt?Best-spell-for-Spell-Perfection#1

Go down to the post by sunbeam May 17, 2012, 04:02 PM

[Stark_]

I think it comes down to interpretation, I haven't seen a definite answer. That said, I believe it does, as it is a feat, and it does in fact provide a set numerical bonus to an aspect of the spell. (Treating opponent's SR as five lower.) Mind you, it does not inflict a penalty on their SR, the spell itself treats the SR as lower then it actually is.

[Darkwolf117]

This is an interesting question. I see where cw (if you don't mind the abbreviation?) is coming from. Piercing isn't applying a bonus to the spell, so much as it is affecting the target of the spell.

Just FYI, for the address to link to a particular post, just click the time stamp on it. Like so.

[Stark_]

Darkwolf117 wrote:

This is an interesting question. I see where cw (if you don't mind the abbreviation?) is coming from. Piercing isn't applying a bonus to the spell, so much as it is affecting the target of the spell.

Just FYI, for the address to link to a particular post, just click the time stamp on it. Like so.

This is where I disagree, piercing spell is very carefully worded so it does not, in fact, affect the target of the spell at all. The spell itself treats the target's SR as lower, it does not lower it. I think that's the distinction this hinges on, as the bonus is both set and numerical.

[Darkwolf117]

Hmm. Actually, that is a good point. My other concern really would be whether or not that part of the spell is meant to apply to metamagic in the first place. The other examples, of spell focus, weapon focus and so on, are all set, insofar as they quite literally can't be turned off. It's a bonus to the spell (multiple spells actually, for those feats) that is always going to be there. Metamagics are applied on a case by case basis and already have their benefit in the feat (i.e. not increasing level or casting time).

That said, this may be worth FAQ'ing. It does seem a little hazy.

[Quandary]

FAQ'd.