So, I've been playing with some character concepts and, while fidgeting with the Forgemaster, I ran into an interesting question:
How do Metamagic Feats affect weapon-enhancing and weapon-emulating spells?
Some are fairly self-explanatory (i.e. double duration from Extend Spell). However, what happens if I use Empower or Maximize with, for example, Flame Blade (or Spiritual Weapon)? Does my Flame Blade suddenly deal 1D8+50%/8 +1/2 CL damage? What if I add Flaring Spell or Sickening Spell to the spell? Will each strike reproduce effects of Flaring or Sickening?
My "GM gut instinct" would be to say these feats probably wouldn't be applicable to this kind of an on-going spell, but I could certainly see the other side of the coin (and I may be slightly salivating at the idea of Dervish of Sarenrae using Maximized Empowered Flaring Flame Blades)...
An empowered maximized flame blade would would deal 8+0.5*1d8+0.75*caster level. It would use up a 7th level spell slot.
In any event how do you get flame blade which is normally a Druid spell only?
An empowered maximized flame blade would would deal 8+0.5*1d8+0.75*caster level. It would use up a 7th level spell slot.
In any event how do you get flame blade which is normally a Druid spell only?
Why 0.75*CL? Shouldn't it be 0.5*CL? Empower affects only variable portion of the spell, not all of it.
And I wasn't assuming Flame Blade with any specific character, I was just using it as an example of mechanics I'm asking about.
An empowered maximized flame blade would would deal 8+0.5*1d8+0.75*caster level. It would use up a 7th level spell slot.
In any event how do you get flame blade which is normally a Druid spell only?
Why 0.75*CL? Shouldn't it be 0.5*CL? Empower affects only variable portion of the spell, not all of it.
And I wasn't assuming Flame Blade with any specific character, I was just using it as an example of mechanics I'm asking about.
Well you mentioned a flame blade wielding Dervish Dancer (Bard Archtype), so I was a bit confused.
Empower Spell (Metamagic)
You can increase the power of your spells, causing them to deal more damage.
Benefit: All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by half, including bonuses to those dice rolls.
Which made me think the bonus from caster level gets empowered, but upon further review I have found this thread which seems to confirm you are right. Though this boggles my mind since thats the opposite of the text of the feat (at least by my reading).
Edit: Wait a minute...from later in the thread
Empower Spell: If I use Empower Spell on a spell that has a die roll with a numerical bonus (such as cure moderate wounds), does the feat affect the numerical bonus?Yes. For example, if you empower cure moderate wounds, the +50% from the feat applies to the 2d8 and to the level-based bonus.
—Sean K Reynolds, 07/08/11
Which makes me think I'm right again.
Bards, Clerics, and Paladins of Sarenrae get Flame Blade as a 2nd level spell per Gods and Magic.
By Gods and Magic do you mean Faiths of Purity? Or is there another book called Gods and Magic?
Edit: Found the book, it's a 3.5 book. It's not overpowered in anyway, but I personally don't allow such material. Check with your GM to see if they do.
Claxon, Zahir is talking Pathfinder Chronicles : Gods & Magic.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy85eh?Pathfinder-Chronicles-Gods-Magic
It's a 3.5 era product, but it is a PF setting sourcebook, so...
Claxon, Zahir is talking Pathfinder Chronicles : Gods & Magic.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy85eh?Pathfinder-Chronicles-Gods-Magic
It's a 3.5 era product, but it is a PF setting sourcebook, so...
I understand that and I'm not saying it's in anyway overpowered, but as a GM I just don't allow material outside of what is available on the PRD.
Dervish Dancer can also refer to anyone with the dervish dance feat, which druids can take just fine.
See above as this feat also isn't on the PRD either.