Lvl 1 Artificer bestows negative level(no save) with cantrip

[borg286]

If a first level artificer uses spell storing item to store (Daze, Sonic Slap(SpC),Caltrops,Cure Minor Wounds,Detect Magic,Guidance,Launch Item,Repair Minor Damage,Seeker's Chant, OR  Touch of Fatigue)  all of which are 0th lvl spells, and which pass the test of "no greater than one-half your artificer level", and store that cantrip into an item, thus making it a spell completion item, then use METAMAGIC SCROLL and apply a metamagic feat to it, like reach or split or empower or Fell Drain (all +2 metamagic) on that item?  If you have a UMD bonus of at least +10 there is no chance of failure for spell storing and suffering a mishap.  Plus this did not cost him any XP:  "XPCost: Your caster level X the spell level" = 1 X 0 = 0!!

A cool side effect of fell drain:  if a creature has as many negative levels as HD it dies (no save).  A level 1 creature is usually only 1 hd.  If it's struck with a cantrip that successfully deals damage (like Sonic Snap which has no saving throw for the sonic damage of 1) fell drain kicks in and gives it -1 lvl (from a frikkin cantrip).  Now it has as many negative levels as HD and dies.  Just don't be around at night when comes back as a wight.  Powerful cantrip.
Also please expound on what "1 hour/level or until discharged" means.  Is it whichever is greater or whichever is least, like it will vanish in an hour, or will it disappear the next day, or will it stay until I use it next week?
Under the spell level test can He use spell storing item to store a 1st lvl spell or must he be 2nd lvl to do that?
This gives the artificer huge versatility, being able to cast any cantrip.  and for a mere 2 XP do any first lvl spell.

[AfterCrescent]

Zero level spells count as 1/2 level for XP cost.

[borg286]

Page 204 of the PHB.

In general, if you wind up with a fraction, round down, even if the fraction is one-half or larger.

The infusion doesn't specify how to round so I fall to the general rule.
My caster level = 1, cantrip lvl ~1/2.  1*1/2 = 1/2 -> round down -> 0.
Even if you have to pay 1 xp that is a major debuff:

from the SRD
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#energyDrainAndNegativeLevels

[Caelic]

Of course, there's the problem of what happens when those targets you Fell Drained to death arise as wights 24 hours later.  Better have lots of Control Undead SSIs on hand...

[Nox_Noctis]

Also please expound on what "1 hour/level or until discharged" means.  Is it whichever is greater or whichever is least, like it will vanish in an hour, or will it disappear the next day, or will it stay until I use it next week?
Under the spell level test can He use spell storing item to store a 1st lvl spell or must he be 2nd lvl to do that?
This gives the artificer huge versatility, being able to cast any cantrip.  and for a mere 2 XP do any first lvl spell.

Think of it this way: it lasts until A or B happens. Once A or B happens, it ends. Thus, if A (1 hour/level) passes, it ends; or, if B (discharged) happens, it ends. Thus, once you discharge it, it ends. If you do not discharge it within 1 hour/level, it ends anyway.

[Sunic_Flames]

Well, that's why you get out of there. Though couldn't you burn the body or something?

[SorO_Lost]

Well, that's why you get out of there. Though couldn't you burn the body or something?

Why clean up the mess?

1: Fell Drain a foe.
2: Stash the body in a bag of holding.
3: Repeat 1 & 2 a dozen times.
4: Hire a cleric that can turn undead.
5: Visit a town.
6:
7: Free underwear! Eer... Profit!

Consider selling the information of the wight infested town in dire need of adventurers in another town's tavern for more profits.

[Tshern]

Assuming this Artificer, just like most of the 1st level characters do, has a Bag of holding at level one.

[altpersona]

eh, just keep a small vile of slime to clean up with... the slime is easier to kill than the wights..

[ZeroSum]

I know an old lady who swallowed a spider?

[borg286]

vile of slime

Where is this vile of slime you speak of that can take care of a dead body?

Can anybody think of any other good combos to use?  The main drawbacks I see are that it costs to make a 0th lvl scroll, and that using metamagic scroll takes a full round (both of which are heaven compared to the rest of the artificer's infusions).  So this is a bit inefficient.  I'm in search of metamagic feats (adjustment <= +2 types) that would work well for 0th,1st lvl scrolls.  The first that comes to mind is using empower on power word pain which almost all aspects increase with empower.  I know power work pain is cheesy but here's the numbers on average
HP           base            damage          averages out to
0-50 HP:  4d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage = 10 rounds @ 3.5 damage ~ 35 damage
51-75 HP: 2d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage = 5 rounds @ 3.5 damage  ~ 17.5 damage
76-100 HP: 1d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage=2.5 rounds@3.5 damage ~ 8.75 damage

empowered power word pain
0-50 HP:  1.5(4d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage = 15 rounds @ 5.25 damage ~ 78 damage @ (1,2)st lvl
51-75 HP: 1.5(2d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage = 7.5 rounds @ 5.25 damage~40 damage
76-100 HP: 1.5(1d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage=2.75 rounds@5.25 damage ~14 damage

Assuming only an idiot would use this on a creature with 76+ HP one gets 2.25 damage ratio.  And you're doing something wrong if your battles are lasting more than 10 rounds, 5 if you're good.

What other meta magics would jive well with metamagic scroll and be useful throughout an artificer's career?
Does any class have 0th lvl spells that are not on the wizard/sorcerer, cleric, druid, bard spell list?

[SorO_Lost]

When I try to quote Tshern I get a "Session verification failed. Please try logging out and back in again, and then try again." error yet I can still post and access my profile. Hmm... You broke the boards!

Anyway, after the first town I'm sure the artificer can afford a bag of holding. If not, just stock up on some Fell Drain stuff and make some more while your in town and have a 1sp per day half-orc henchmen carry the chained wights in a basket. When the henchmen dies, steal his pay. Repeat.

[Tshern]

Clearly the board accepts my logic. Stop defying it.

[altpersona]

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/ooze.htm

[SorO_Lost]

Clearly the board accepts my logic. Stop defying it.

Not any more. I can quote you again.

[borg286]

Sorry for getting off topic.
Along the lines of low level optimization i'm trying to decide what feats to take.
Azurin artificer 
Shape Souldmeld(Mage spectacles)  (+6 UMD)
Shape Soulmeld(dissolving spittle) (2d6 ranged touch attack at will)

I like the dissolving spittle at level 1 for an at will ranged touch attack(2d6 damage) but at the cost of a feat, and it sucks that it can't be infused with bane.
I can go with just a normal crossbow and hope to be able to bane it before most combats for 1d8+2d6 @ +4(+2 bane +2 dex) but it hits just normal AC while my AC is 2 less than with the spit because I can hold a shield and spit just fine, but not with the crossbow.
The latter choice opens up a feat, but it's hard to beat a feat to be a mini warlock.
It's really hard to find low level optimization for the artificer.  I know I can craft level 2 scrolls, but  it's expensive and I only have a 65% chance of success of crafting and casting.
What strategies are there for low level (1-3) optimization for the artificer?

[Sunic_Flames]

Hold on a sec. I thought SSI creates 'what is effectively a wand with a single charge'... Doesn't that prevent Metamagic Scroll from applying?

Also, you have APs (assuming Eberron). Use them.

[borg286]

Please expound on why either a scroll, wand, or my zippo with a spell stored on it, would not qualify for metamagic scroll?

You apply a metamagic feat you know to a single spell written
or stored on a spell completion item...

both the wand and my zippo are items which store a spell.  A wand is obviously a spell completion item, and the zippo is effectively a wand.
Please enlighten me.

[Sunic_Flames]

Mostly because I thought it worked differently than it actually did.

[PhaedrusXY]

vile of slime

Where is this vile of slime you speak of that can take care of a dead body?

Can anybody think of any other good combos to use?  The main drawbacks I see are that it costs to make a 0th lvl scroll, and that using metamagic scroll takes a full round (both of which are heaven compared to the rest of the artificer's infusions).  So this is a bit inefficient.  I'm in search of metamagic feats (adjustment <= +2 types) that would work well for 0th,1st lvl scrolls.  The first that comes to mind is using empower on power word pain which almost all aspects increase with empower.  I know power work pain is cheesy but here's the numbers on average
HP           base            damage          averages out to
0-50 HP:  4d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage = 10 rounds @ 3.5 damage ~ 35 damage
51-75 HP: 2d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage = 5 rounds @ 3.5 damage  ~ 17.5 damage
76-100 HP: 1d4 rounds @ 1d6 damage=2.5 rounds@3.5 damage ~ 8.75 damage

empowered power word pain
0-50 HP:  1.5(4d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage = 15 rounds @ 5.25 damage ~ 78 damage @ (1,2)st lvl
51-75 HP: 1.5(2d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage = 7.5 rounds @ 5.25 damage~40 damage
76-100 HP: 1.5(1d4) rounds @ 1.5(1d6) damage=2.75 rounds@5.25 damage ~14 damage

Assuming only an idiot would use this on a creature with 76+ HP one gets 2.25 damage ratio.  And you're doing something wrong if your battles are lasting more than 10 rounds, 5 if you're good.

What other meta magics would jive well with metamagic scroll and be useful throughout an artificer's career?
Does any class have 0th lvl spells that are not on the wizard/sorcerer, cleric, druid, bard spell list?

Wouldn't the duration be unaffected by Empower? I'd think you'd need to use Extend to affect that.