I was debating this on another thread, but I thought it might be useful to bring it here.
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.
Does this sort of language entail that you can add several metamagic feats to a spell and one of which is completely free if you decide to invoke Spell Perfection's ability on it? For example, if you take Chain Lightning as your perfect spell and add the Empower and Maximize metamagic feats, can you negate the Maximize by invoking Spell Perfection and cast Chain Lightning as an 8th level spell?
Please let me know what you think, because I'm curious of possible builds that this would allow.
See, but the way I read it, the total modified level doesn't change if you're only adding one metamagic feat. Like, if you added Selective Spell to Fireball, and Fireball was your perfect spell, you'd expend only a 3rd level slot because the feat says you can apply any one MM feat for free. Since the "without affecting its level" language comes into play, the total modified level, in my mind, stays the same.
I can see that the RAI supports that sort of thinking, but the RAW seems to allow some gaps. For example, the RAW invalidates your example as well, stating that adding a MM feat doesn't change casting time, causing Quicken to lose its usefulness.
You want to know if you can have quickened meteor swarms via Spell Perfection? The answer is no. (You need a metamagic rod for that.)
Notice the comma? It leads into a qualifier, which clearly delineates the first metamagic feat as NOT free for the purposes of determining whether the "effective" spell level is over 9 (in regards to Spell Perfection).
Hmmm, I was thinking that if the wording of the feat said "would not" instead of "does not", then and only then would it translate to the desired effect. I didn't think that the comma would preclude a quantifier. I guess that does make sense.
Seems as though now the only issue is that Spell Perfection won't let you Quicken spells.
At least not really high level ones. If you've selected a 5th-level or lower spell (or 6th-level with certain traits) then you're good to go.
Nevertheless, picking a higher level spell might still be worthwhile for the doubled up feat bonuses and the like.
Seems as though now the only issue is that Spell Perfection won't let you Quicken spells.
I don't see this as an issue, if you refer to the "without affecting casting time"-part.
Casting time increase is how metamagic feats normally work, when applied by spontanous caster. Spell Perfection removes this increase. The feat comments on the act of applying a metamagic feat, not the effects of said metamagic.
Concluding that it invalidates quicken spell is reading something else into it.
lol. Totally missed that. I believe HaraldKlak has it right.