As a spellcaster’s knowledge of magic grows, he or she can learn to cast spells in ways slightly different from how the spells were originally designed or learned. For example, a spellcaster can learn to cast a spell without certain components, cast a spell for greater effect or even cast a spell with nothing but a moment’s thought. Altering the casting and effect of a spell is accomplished using metamagic feats.
| Feat | Prerequisite | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Heritage | Wis 10 | May cast orisons (0-level divine spells) |
| Magical Heritage | Int 10 | May cast cantrips (0- level arcane Spells) |
| Shadow Heritage | – | +1 bonus to one saving throw, low-light vision. |
Spells improve with metamagic feats use up higher-level spell slots, as noted in the table below. For example, Roberta Cain (a 3rd-level Smart Hero/3rd-level Mage) has the Silent Spell metamagic feat, which allows her to cast a spell without speaking (in effect, ignoring its verbal component). However, the improved spell fills a spell slot one level higher than the spell’s normal level. If Roberta prepares burning hands as a silent spell, it takes up one of her 2nd-level spell slots instead of a 1st-level spell slot. It remains a 1st-level spell in all other respects, however.
| Metamagic Feat | Spell level Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Empower Spell | +2 |
| Enlarge Spell | +1 |
| Eschew Materials | None |
| Extend Spell | +1 |
| Heighten Spell | Special (see description) |
| Nonlethal Spell | +1 |
| Reach Spell | +2 |
| Sacred Spell | +2 |
| Shadowbane Spell | +1 |
| Silent Spell | +1 |
| Still Spell | +1 |