I did a search for this but didn't see, so:
Suppose a Sorcerer wants to apply (both) the Silent Spell and Still Spell Metamagic feats to a spell which normally has a casting time of a standard action. Does this take a full-round action (as per normally applying a Metamagic feat to a spell), or longer (with the first feat taking it to a full-round action and the second taking it to one round)? And is there a page reference for the ruling?
The SRD doesn't explicitly cover it that I could see (saying effective levels add but not mentioning casting time):
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/metamagic-feats
Multiple Metamagic Feats on a Spell: A spellcaster can apply multiple metamagic feats to a single spell. Changes to its level are cumulative. You can't apply the same metamagic feat more than once to a single spell.
I ask as I'm playing a Sorcerer who plans to use these feats in combination when necessary.
Sorcerers and Bards: Sorcerers and bards choose spells as they cast them. They can choose when they cast their spells whether to apply their metamagic feats to improve them. As with other spellcasters, the improved spell uses up a higher-level spell slot. Because the sorcerer or bard has not prepared the spell in a metamagic form in advance, he must apply the metamagic feat on the spot. Therefore, such a character must also take more time to cast a metamagic spell (one enhanced by a metamagic feat) than he does to cast a regular spell. If the spell's normal casting time is a standard action, casting a metamagic version is a full-round action for a sorcerer or bard. (This isn't the same as a 1-round casting time.) The only exception is for spells modified by the Quicken Spell metamagic feat, which can be cast as normal using the feat.
Note the rules only refer to a metamagic spell vs a normal spell. There is no language about per metamagic applied, etc. The RAW is pretty clear that you only eat the increased cast time once no matter how many metamagics you add to the spell.
Thanks for the reply. I suppose you're right that metamagic vs. non-metamagic is the distinction the rules make--although I would prefer to see it explicitly written. :) The phrasing about 'take more time' implies that it's a more involved process to use metamagic, which is why I wondered if the intention could be that it takes longer when applying subsequent feats.
" If the spell's normal casting time is a standard action, casting a metamagic version is a full-round action for a sorcerer or bard. "
Seems explicit enough for me.
Do you two understand the reason I ask, or am I completely worrying too much about it?
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Do you two understand the reason I ask, or am I completely worrying too much about it?
I totally get why you're asking, but I think it's clear-cut enough that there won't be an official clarification or anything. It's a full-round no matter how many metamagic feats you're applying.
Yup, agreed with cartmanbeck. Hypothetically (assuming you had a high-enough spell slot), you could apply every single non-conflicting metamagic in the game to a single spell, and it would still only take a full-round action to cast.
Do you two understand the reason I ask, or am I completely worrying too much about it?
Not really. This is the first time I've seen any confusion over the matter.
Thanks all! I'm satisfied, then.