Spell Specialization for level 20 sorcerer

[Gonzo]

I have a question about Spell Specialization. If I select that feat then when I’ll get to level 20, will I be considered caster level 22 for purpose of that particular spell?

If on level 20 I’ll set Stormbolts or Maximalized Chain Lightening as my Spell Specialization, how will I be benefited from that?

Also, just to make sure, if my character is bronze dragon bloodline sorcerer, I of course also have greater lighting focus, what is the best spell to put to Spell Specialization on level 20?

[corisai]

Yes you will be.

But many spells have limitation and many unable to reach, for example, more then 20d6 damage.

Check it carefully - to find few spells that don't have any restrictions on damage.

UPD.

If I remember everything right - then Chain Lighting is limited by 20d6 damage. So SS used on CL doing nothing on 20th caster level and have reduced impact on it since your caster level 19 (caster, not character! for example as AT your caster lvl 19 will be only on your char level 20).

[Kyun]

Originally posted by corisai:

But many spells have limitation and many unable to reach, for example, more then 20d6 damage.

well keep in mind you not only get the extra damage but also higher dc (which is more important imo).

[corisai]

Originally posted by wie Ebenholz:

Originally posted by corisai:

But many spells have limitation and many unable to reach, for example, more then 20d6 damage.

well keep in mind you not only get the extra damage but also higher dc (which is more important imo).

From Spell Specialization feat? No, you don't get any DC bonuses from it.

[Kyun]

Originally posted by corisai:

Originally posted by wie Ebenholz:

well keep in mind you not only get the extra damage but also higher dc (which is more important imo).

From Spell Specialization feat? No, you don't get any DC bonuses from it.

are you sure?
it says treat any level dependent variable of the spell as two levels higher.
from my understanding spell dc is affected by caster level, so its a level dependent variable.
i have however not tested it ingame.

[Gonzo]

Ok, I just made a test and it appears that Spell Specialization is awesome!

Link to a screenshot as a proof: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijfnZ3cJQiggY1G4DlNQnaGVQXzGA

Basically, I just shoot maximized lighting chain for 22d6+22=154
That makes LC the best spell in the game for lighting build for Spell Specialization. On lvl 20 with 24 charisma, Empowered and maximized I can use it 19 times. 7 times on 6th spell level, and 6 times on 8th and 9th.

[wendigo211]

I think mass icy prision should be the best spell, since it would push the strength check to 37 (15+caster level). For most spells the dc is 10+spell level+casting attribute modifier (CHA for a sorc)+feat bonuses+item bonuses. Caster level doesn't affect the standard DC calculation.

[Slap Happy Pappy]

Saving throw should not be increasing for metamagic empowered spells, WITH THE EXCEPTION of heightened spell.

[Gonzo]

@wendigo211
Seriously, are you sure you know what you are talking about? All I mean is that my character has Greater lightning focus and Draconic bloodline bronze (lighting). Finally, on spell level 9 I get Chain Lightning maximized for full damage, on spell level 8 its Empowered and on level 6 its in normal form. So, with 24 charisma as sorcerer I have together 19 uses of that spell.
I don’t think you wanted to tell me that 6 uses of Mass Icy Prison only with Greater Spell Focus bonus is better than my buffed out Lightning Chain.

@Slap Happy Pappy
Again 19 uses of CL vs something else!
Also, I don’t really understand heightened spell, can you explain it a little better why it would be beneficial to take? If useful I have only one feat to spare, which is Combat Casting
…or reach spell but I wouldn’t be able to cast shocking grasp on many spell levels which are not occupied with Lightning Bolt or Chain Lightning. Getting to the touch distance is not viable for squishy caster.

[Slap Happy Pappy]

Let's do a fireball, cast by a level 20 sorcerer with 20 charisma.

Level 3 spell + 5 from the charisma modifier + 10 (base dc) = DC of 18 for 10d6

A heightened metamagic spell

Level 4 spell + 5 from charisma modifier + 10 = DC of 19 for 10d6

An empowered fireball

STILL a level 3 spell, +5, +10 = dc of 18 for 10d6x1.5 damage.

heightened spells are useful for status effect or instakill spells. Basically gives you a +1 to the DC of the spell.

[Gonzo]

And it does it for all the spells in my character’s spell book. So basically, because it doesn’t increase the spell level, the only cost for having +1dc for all spells is that I have to take the feat instead of something else?

Ok, now I need to find out if it is better than either Metamagic Reach Spell or Combat Casting because those are only 2 expendable feats in my build. I made another thread about my build https://steamcommunity.com/app/640820/discussions/0/1743352529774505065/
Anyway, thanks for the explanation.

[corisai]

Originally posted by Gonzo:

Ok, I just made a test and it appears that Spell Specialization is awesome!

Link to a screenshot as a proof: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijfnZ3cJQiggY1G4DlNQnaGVQXzGA

Basically, I just shoot maximized lighting chain for 22d6+22=154
That makes LC the best spell in the game for lighting build for Spell Specialization. On lvl 20 with 24 charisma, Empowered and maximized I can use it 19 times. 7 times on 6th spell level, and 6 times on 8th and 9th.

Actually you'd found ANOTHER bug in this game :)

Chain lighting can't have more then 20 dices of damage, it's prohibited by it's description.

[corisai]

Originally posted by Gonzo:

And it does it for all the spells in my character’s spell book. So basically, because it doesn’t increase the spell level, the only cost for having +1dc for all spells is that I have to take the feat instead of something else?

Spell Specialization DOEN'T affect spell save DC.

[provokastoras]

Heighten spell 8s usefull if you want more uses of a spell. Reach spell 8s handy to let your clerics or healer heal from 30 ft away without 5he need to ho in melee. Or harm or slay living from 30 ft away, or for your sorcere4 to use shocking grasp, or vampiric touch or curse all powerfull spells needing a touch attack. Though note it not mske them rays so no cross benefit from point blank shot.

[Gonzo]

@corisai
I didn’t think about it as a bug, because you can make one spell in your book better on lvl 20. Otherwise the feat becomes weak actually as there is not many spells with no cap.

Also, in the previous post I wasn’t talk about Spell Specialization but about heighten spell.

@provokastoras
I think you were talking about reach spell.

[wendigo211]

Originally posted by Gonzo:

@wendigo211
Seriously, are you sure you know what you are talking about? All I mean is that my character has Greater lightning focus and Draconic bloodline bronze (lighting). Finally, on spell level 9 I get Chain Lightning maximized for full damage, on spell level 8 its Empowered and on level 6 its in normal form. So, with 24 charisma as sorcerer I have together 19 uses of that spell.
I don’t think you wanted to tell me that 6 uses of Mass Icy Prison only with Greater Spell Focus bonus is better than my buffed out Lightning Chain.

The use of Mass Icy Prison (MIP) is CC as opposed to damage. Greater Spell Focus won't have any effect on MIP. Hit the enemies with Mass Icy Prison, then nuke them with Chain Lightning while they can't fight back. Anyway, if you think Chain lightning is going to do anything to the endgame enemies (high reflex saves and evasion) you're in for a rude awakening.