Variations in Heightened Spells

[John R.]

I noticed under some spell descriptions that for heightened versions they are labeled something like "Heightened (3rd)" and others "Heightened (+1)". I'm pretty sure I'm right but I wanted to make sure. The former indicates the specific spell slot level (or caster level for cantrips), the later is the base spell level +X.

I'm guessing the specified level is for spells that have significant mechanical changes at heightened levels while the +X is when the change is something minor like number of dice. ???

[lordcirth]

John R. wrote:

I noticed under some spell descriptions that for heightened versions they are labeled something like "Heightened (3rd)" and others "Heightened (+1)". I'm pretty sure I'm right but I wanted to make sure. The former indicates the specific spell slot level (or caster level for cantrips), the later is the base spell level +X.

I'm guessing the specified level is for spells that have significant mechanical changes at heightened levels while the +X is when the change is something minor like number of dice. ???

That's correct.

[GM Rinaldo]

Almost - when it says "+X", you get that bonus for every X levels you heighten, stacking as far as you want to go. When it says "Xth", you get that benefit from X level, and nothing else unless there are higher levels listed.

So if a 1st level spell says "Heightened (+2) - Add 1 damage die", you get one extra die when you cast at 3rd level, or two extra dice at 5th level, and so on.