Increase Saves of Spells

[noblejohn]

Is there a way for a spell caster to increase the save of a low level spell so it will actually work vs a higher level PC or creature?

[TGMaxMaxer]

Heighten spell feat. It has the save of the spell slot you actually use for it. Other than that, just jack the saves or debuff beforehand.

[Jiggy]

noblejohn wrote:

Is there a way for a spell caster to increase the save of a low level spell so it will actually work vs a higher level PC or creature?

The easiest way is with the Spell Focus feat (and Greater Spell Focus), which increases the DC on all your spells of a school of your choice.

You can also use Heighten Spell metamagic, which lets you cast a spell out of a higher-level slot and treat it as being that level (which in turn raises the DC).

[Karuth]

The Arcane Bloodline can also increase the DC for a school. You can get the effect via Eldritch Heritage, however it is very high level.

Apart from Heighten you can also use Focused metamagic.

When you have Spell Perfection you double the bonus to DC you get from feats for a single spell (also high level).

Lastly you can also multiclass into Harrower and hope you draw the right cards to augment DC. Theoretically you could get +3 that way.

[Leviticus Blue]

Recently did some research on increasing DCs and CLs. Came up with this list. Not all-inclusive by any means.

Dhampir Cruoromancer: +1 Necro DC
Bloatmage Initiate: +1 DC
Spell Focus: +1 CL
Greater Spell Focus: +1 DC
Spell Specialization: +2 DC
Allied Spellcaster: +1 CL
Dhampir Favored Class (Wizard): +1/4 DC per Level
Mage’s Tattoo: +1 CL
Black Blood of Orv: +1 CL
Orange Ioun Stone: +1 CL
Gifted Adept: +1 CL

Total: +7 DC / +6 CL

[RainyDayNinja]

Persistent Spell is a metamagic feat (or rod) that, while it doesn't increase the DC, requires the target to roll the save twice and take the worse result. Definitely worth looking into.

[DaedalusV]

There are a few traits as well that increase CL on specific spells.

Heighten Spell is my personal favourite way to increase DC since it raises the level of the spell itself to counter lesser globe of invulnerability and stuff like that.

Also Dazing spell metamagic rods become borderline OP when used with certain heightened low level spells (snapdragon fireworks)

[Jiggy]

DaedalusV wrote:

There are a few traits as well that increase CL on specific spells.

What's that got to do with saving throw DCs?

[Tom S 820]

Spell Focus: +1 CL is +1 to save DC not Caster level.

Lower the save of the target via Hex
Give condition like shaken and sicken.
Lower the Stats or give negitive level to the target.

[Majuba]

Tom S 820 wrote:

Spell Focus: +1 CL is +1 to save DC not Caster level.

And Bloatmage Initiate is +1 CL, not DC - looks like they were swapped.

Heighten is the straightforward solution, after Spell Focus.

[spalding]

This is all of course ignoring the most basic method of raising your casting stat.

That should be a no-brainer but just in case I mention it.

Spell perfection will increase the effects of spell focus and greater spell focus.

There is also elemental focus and greater elemental focus which stacks with the other too.

Another thought -- Kitsune have a favored class option as sorcerers to increase the DC of enchantment spells.

[Rerednaw]

noblejohn wrote:

Is there a way for a spell caster to increase the save of a low level spell so it will actually work vs a higher level PC or creature?

More specifics?

Is this core only or all sources?

There are traits, feats (most mentioned already), raising your casting stat, various magic items. Also some consumable items though that's an expensive way over the long term. Consumable works if you are running one-shot encounters with throwaway NPCs.

The misfortune Hex from a witch works by forcing rerolls.
The evil eye from a witch can drop a target's saves by 2.
Ill Omen (Witch 1) is a great spell for forcing re-rolls. No save, and the next d20 roll the target makes he has to roll twice and take the lower result. Have a buddy cast this before you drop your save or suck spell.
Double-cursed Time Mystery Oracle can force the target to make rerolls.

If you are trying to land a lower level spell, the Heighten Spell feat will raise the effective spell level and increase the base save DC.

[Kurthnaga]

Getting a friendly Void Wizard will make things a lot easier the later into the game you are.