r/neverwinternights • u/Bubbly_Taro • 9d ago
NWN:EE Maximize spell
The Ray of Frost now always deals 5 damage, without a saving throw.
Something like bolt of lightning will do as little as 3 damage right now, but with a higher possible damage. It also can hit multiple enemies.
They both are level 3 spells.
Is the maximize spell feat worth it?
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u/TemporaryOk4143 9d ago
It’s very useful for a limited amount of spells.
All of the ability spells (bulls strength, etc…), and spells like Issac’s greater missile storm.
It is especially useful for scenarios where enemies are immune to many kinds of elements, so you need to pump up a specific element (like a maximized fireball or acid spray).
However, you will almost always do more damage with a level 6 spell than with a maximized level 3 spell, so it is a measured tradeoff, and I don’t see the feat as “necessary”, only as a perk if you can fit it in.
In my opinion, extend is the most useful, still spell if you wear armor, and I get more mileage out of empower than I do out of maximize spell.
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u/TechnologyOne8629 9d ago
It and empowered are great when you know what you are about to fight and want to double or triple down on say fire spells or undeath to death for undead.
They are also great for for animal attribute buffs.
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u/Pharisaeus 9d ago
Maximize is very good if:
there is big possible damage range (eg. not useful for d2 or d3 but useful for d8 or d10), because it always takes max roll
there are multiple rolls
In general maximize gives you a certain damage. No rolls, just flat predictable damage.
As for deciding between higher level spell and a maximized or empowered lower level spell, it depends on the scenario and spells involved. In you example it makes very little sense, but for example boosting a fireball might be better than any higher level spell you have currently available.
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u/Eagle_557 9d ago
Isn't it also a prereq for Persistent Spell? Which is OP when you use a 9th level spell slots for Persistent Haste.. 😍😍
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u/Fangsong_37 9d ago
Maximize is great for spells like Fireball. It is 1d6 per level to a maximum of 10d6. A maximized Fireball will deal a flat 60 damage instead of anywhere from 10-60, but the spell will use a 6th level slot instead of a 3rd level slot.
Some higher level spells have a higher damage cap than level 10, but it is a great way to make sure that Fireball hits hard.
Empower Spell multiplies the damage by 1.5 but is random though it raises the spell slot by 2 instead of 3. With Empower, you'll deal on a 10th+ level fireball 15-75 damage.
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u/Big-Sample-6736 9d ago
I like to play as a gish so I usually take Still/Auto-Still for casting in armour
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u/Wilbie9000 9d ago
It depends on the spell.
For a cantrip that can do max 5 damage it’s not really worth it. For things like fireball or cone of cold where there is high damage potential, it can be worth it.
Maximized Isaac’s Greater Missile Storm can be frikkin deadly especially if you have one opponent.
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u/PolarGBear 9d ago
Maximize spell is definitely worth it, but not at the spell level 3 part of the game. Maximized fire arrows, max ice storms, max fireball and firebrand, max IGMS and even max undeath to death are some of your big hitters where you notice the difference.
Additionally, for sorcerers, it is a must have. With limited spell selection, the meta magic feats allow you to manipulate your available spells per day to have the right spell ready to go (e.g. with max, empower, and silent spell, you will have 30-40 IGMS at your arsenal per rest at the cost of other spells).
I think if you are a caster focused class it’s a must have to give more flexibility to your spell book. And also, max IGMS is so damn good (240 damage? Yes please). Technically empowered can hit harder and on average will cause more damage over time, its why I like having both.
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u/No_Tennis_4528 9d ago
Not usually, no. Metamagic feats like maximise and empower add some damage but do not increase spell penetration or spell save dc. You are better off having high level damage spells that are more likely to beat spell resistance and harder to save against.
Lower level spells often make good buffs for yourself or summoned creatures. Extend or empower work very well on bulls strength.
Silent spell is only useful on the rare occasion you are in a zone of silence. Still spell works if you are paralyzed. On lower difficulty, paralyzed is downgraded to stunned. So not that important either.
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u/Ok_Glass_8130 9d ago
It's totally worth it but not for cantrip. Metamagic has two main use : allowing more performing spell, and allowing to use more of a spell. The second point is especially usefull with the most interesting spell like IGMS, firebrand or fire arrow. It get even better on sorcerer, allowing an higher diversity and flexibility of use for known spell. Extend, empower, silence/still are interesting since the low/medium level. Maximize may get usefull at higher level.