What Metamagic do I use best for hellfire?

[swordfish]

.

[Tyrendian89]

need a LOT more info here. What class(es), what level, which ones do you have, even which difficulty?
But short answer is all of them, really - if you want to go full bananas Raycaster, Empowered-Maximized-Bolstered ain't impossible... and when that crits, things get truly fun ;)

[swordfish]

Originally posted by Tyrendian89:

need a LOT more info here. What class(es), what level, which ones do you have, even which difficulty?
But short answer is all of them, really - if you want to go full bananas Raycaster, Empowered-Maximized-Bolstered ain't impossible... and when that crits, things get truly fun ;)

But if I empower maximize and bolster Hellfire, would not the spell get higher than level 9 and then I can’t use it becz there are not spellbook pages for over level 9 spells?

[Uzkin]

Favorite metamagic Bolster: +0 spell levels
Empower: +2 spell levels
Maximize from metamagic rod: +0 spell levels

[Roknar]

there is a rod that can empower and mmaximize and then you only use bolster on the spell, and yo can do more than that if you want

[swordfish]

Thanks guys very helpful. I took a screenshot of your valuable information.

[Roknar]

metamagic won't be as important as the feats and stats though. You will want them to crit, so you need the crit feats. Tricktser would be ideal for that. Not sure what the other paths get.

[Deo]

For Hellfire Ray - literally any metamagic that can increase damage. Bolstered, Empowered, Maximized - some of those will be Favorite Metamagic (reduce spell increase by 1), depends on mythic. Don't forget about Red Salamander ring, and Fire Storm spell it gives. Broken spell, very good, clears whole screen if your character built properly. Very satisfying.
There are at least 2 greater maximized metamagic rods in the game, by act 5 I had those.
There is also Quarterstaff of Dope from Crusade (The Fate of the Wicked Dope) which is good if you casting the same spell 3 times in a row.

[fox5s]

Originally posted by swordfish:

But if I empower maximize and bolster Hellfire, would not the spell get higher than level 9 and then I can’t use it becz there are not spellbook pages for over level 9 spells?

By default, you are correct. And then the answer from Rods is correct.

However, there is a Mythic ability, Favored Metamagic, that reduces the spell levels that a particular metamagic ability takes. This can allow you to use level 9 spell slots Bolster, Empower, and Maximize a casting of Hellfire Ray without rods. You can further then use the Rods to make use of your level 8 and 7 spell slots to fire more Helfire Rays with the same enhancements as your level 9 versions.

Tricksters can push this further with Perfectly Normal Spell metamagic and their spell that lets them roll all 20's for a few rounds causing ALL your Hellfire Rays to Crit. With full itemization and a build dedicated to it, this can cause each ray to individually do ~1500 damage. And you fire three rays per casting at max level.

I think you can do most of this with Ember but I'm not totally sure on the Trickster stuff for her.

[Duder]

Originally posted by Roknar:

there is a rod that can empower and mmaximize and then you only use bolster on the spell, and yo can do more than that if you want

Grandmaster Rod - one of the most useful items in the game.

[fox5s]

Originally posted by Duder:

Originally posted by Roknar:

there is a rod that can empower and mmaximize and then you only use bolster on the spell, and yo can do more than that if you want

Grandmaster Rod - one of the most useful items in the game.

Oh! And that lets you use your level 6 slots like they were level 9 slots since Bolster does not increase the spell level at all after you get Favored Metamagic for it.

[swordfish]

Thank you guys but to let you know. I do not like cheating, that’s why I asked becz if I do not find the items you mentioned, then we’ll I am not gonna Google their locations.
That’s why I would grab some Metamagic feats
I even do not respec as hard difficulty does not allow me.

[Steffan]

If you have to choose one, then bolster metamagic feat. It is only a +1 level increase but makes huge difference in damage.

As for rods, you can only use 1 rod at a time. Having some metamagic is a good investment, if you can afford it.