Ask a Simple Question, Get a Simple Answer, Part 2

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

Q106: Upon second glance the Versatile Spellcaster feat is a little ambiguous. Does it only allow the actual casting at casting time (of a spell of a level that you can cast by using two lower slots) or does it allow you to gain a virtual placeholder for a spell of the bumped up level?

For instance does it allow a 6th level sorc who has used up all his 2nd and 3rd level spells burn 4 first level spells to create 2 2nd level spells to make a 3rd level spell?

Q107: In the above example what if he hadn't yet used any 2nd or 3rd level spells, could he still can an extra 3rd level spell?

[The_Mad_Linguist]

A106: You can't pyramid them, if that's what you're asking.  4 first level spells cannot make one third level spell.

[Operation Shoestring]

Since we are on the topic....  I usually hear the question

Q 106b

If I go Cleric2/Wizard1, and have an INT grater than 12 with that illuminian sigil that gives me +2 CL, does that let me sack two level one wizard spells for one level two wizard spell?  after all, I have enough CL to cast it....

with the asnwer

A 106b

This is often used as a theoretically RAW early entry method.  However, many DM's rule otherwise.

Q 108 Cobalt Power states:
"You also gain an insight bonus equal to the invested essentia on damage rolls made when using Power Attack (up to a maximum value equal to the penalty accepted on the attack roll)."
Since it does not mention the type (Light/1h/2h) of weapon, is this bonus damage granted to light weapons?

Q 109 Stone Power qualifies me to take Cobalt Power.... but what effect, if any, does my invested Essentia have when I take a penalty to my attack using Stone Power instead of Power Attack?

[The_Mad_Linguist]

A106b) If I understand what you're asking, no.

The versatile spellcaster+heighten thing is based on the fact that, for example, a heightened magic missile is actually a second level spell (or third or something else if you heightened it more than +1).  Since sacrificing two first level slots with versatile spellcaster lets you cast a heightened magic missile, you're able to cast a second level spell.

If you're asking
"Hey, if I'm a first level sorcerer with Charisma 12, versatile spellcaster, and a couple of metamagic feats, can I spend two slots for extended mage armor or heightened magic missile," the answer is yes.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

Q110: is there any ability that allows frenzy as an immediate action? I seem to remember one...

[BowenSilverclaw]

A110: There's the Instantaneous Rage feat from CW that might help. I believe the Ferocity variant (Cityscape IIRC) can also be used as an Immediate action or reaction...

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 108 Cobalt Power states:
"You also gain an insight bonus equal to the invested essentia on damage rolls made when using Power Attack (up to a maximum value equal to the penalty accepted on the attack roll)."
Since it does not mention the type (Light/1h/2h) of weapon, is this bonus damage granted to light weapons?

Q 109 Stone Power qualifies me to take Cobalt Power.... but what effect, if any, does my invested Essentia have when I take a penalty to my attack using Stone Power instead of Power Attack?

A 108: It looks like you found a RAW way to get Power Attack damage with light weapons.

A 109: It has no effect when using Stone Power.  Stone Power only mentions that it counts as Power Attack for qualifying for feats or PrC; not that it becomes power attack for other purposes.  The feat specifies you must be using power attack.  Just because you found a way to get the feat without the means to use it, doesn't negate the fact that it only works with power attack.

[Surreal]

Q 108 Cobalt Power states:
"You also gain an insight bonus equal to the invested essentia on damage rolls made when using Power Attack (up to a maximum value equal to the penalty accepted on the attack roll)."
Since it does not mention the type (Light/1h/2h) of weapon, is this bonus damage granted to light weapons?

A 108: It looks like you found a RAW way to get Power Attack damage with light weapons.

Q 111: Hmm, so would the various power attack multipliers also multiply the boost given by Cobalt Power? (I suspect there is no right answer here)

[ksbsnowowl]

Q 108 Cobalt Power states:
"You also gain an insight bonus equal to the invested essentia on damage rolls made when using Power Attack (up to a maximum value equal to the penalty accepted on the attack roll)."
Since it does not mention the type (Light/1h/2h) of weapon, is this bonus damage granted to light weapons?

A 108: It looks like you found a RAW way to get Power Attack damage with light weapons.

Q 111: Hmm, so would the various power attack multipliers also multiply the boost given by Cobalt Power? (I suspect there is no right answer here)

A 111: No, the multipliers wouldn't work, because the damage bonus value comes from the amount of invested essentia; it doesn't come from power attack itself (though it is limited by the penalty on power attack - ie, it has no link whatsoever to the bonus damage provided by power attack).

[Operation Shoestring]

Q 108 Cobalt Power states:
"You also gain an insight bonus equal to the invested essentia on damage rolls made when using Power Attack (up to a maximum value equal to the penalty accepted on the attack roll)."
Since it does not mention the type (Light/1h/2h) of weapon, is this bonus damage granted to light weapons?

A 108: It looks like you found a RAW way to get Power Attack damage with light weapons.

Q 111: Hmm, so would the various power attack multipliers also multiply the boost given by Cobalt Power? (I suspect there is no right answer here)

A 111: No, the multipliers wouldn't work, because the damage bonus value comes from the amount of invested essentia; it doesn't come from power attack itself (though it is limited by the penalty on power attack - ie, it has no link whatsoever to the bonus damage provided by power attack).

And Cobalt power is only going to give you +4 damage, +5 if you take another feat to boost it.

As a note, Astral Vambraces can give you power attack without having to spend a feat on it.  but you wont be able to bind them until mid to high levels.

[Runestar]

Q112) How liberally do bonus spell slots interact with effects that use spell slots?

For example, take a wizard who has bonus slots from a high int and specializing in conjuration. Can he sacrifice those slots to abilities such as archmage's high arcane, "dedicate" them to feats such as spell-like ability (complete arcane/PGTF) or combine them using features such as versatile caster?

Also, if I have the ability to cast spells spontaneously, could I spontaneously convert a conjuration bonus spell slot to cast a non-conjuration spell, say, tongues courtesy of spontaneous divination?

Or can I only use "actual" slots gained?

Also, no replies on my earlier question regarding bounding assault+natural attacks? 

[Kuroimaken]

Q112) How liberally do bonus spell slots interact with effects that use spell slots?

For example, take a wizard who has bonus slots from a high int and specializing in conjuration. Can he sacrifice those slots to abilities such as archmage's high arcane, "dedicate" them to feats such as spell-like ability (complete arcane/PGTF) or combine them using features such as versatile caster?

Also, if I have the ability to cast spells spontaneously, could I spontaneously convert a conjuration bonus spell slot to cast a non-conjuration spell, say, tongues courtesy of spontaneous divination?

Or can I only use "actual" slots gained?

Also, no replies on my earlier question regarding bounding assault+natural attacks? 

The short answer: no.
The long answer: there is no indication that you can't do that, but I'd assume not; as a general rule, D&D doesn't factor attributes in directly as part of a class progression.

For example, a lvl 17 Wizard with 15 Int still has his 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th level spell slots, even though he can't prepare the spells or cast them (by virtue of having a low score). The spell slots are part of his class levels, and as such are class features you can actually work with. Bonus spell slots, being fluctuating, are trickier to judge, but I'd assume that due to their transient nature, that wouldn't work.

[CannibalSmith]

A112: Bonus spell slots are spell slots.

[Seventh_Wing]

EDIT: Move along, nothing to see here.

[juton]

Q113

Is there anyway to get around Blindsight/Sense, besides using Darkstalker (from Draconomicon)? I think some types of Blindsight don't work in the area of a Silence spell, but if I cast silence on myself could a creature detect me if it wasn't in range of the Silence effect?

[CannibalSmith]

A113: Pure DM call on creature by creature basis. By RAW, Bat's Blindsense is unaffected by Silence. By analogy, a spell of Silence looks to echolocation like Darkness does to normal vision. Maybe.

[Endarire]

Q114
What are all the bonuses whirling frenzy grants?  It specifically grants this:

"A barbarian with this variant form of rage doesn't gain the normal bonuses when he enters a rage. Instead, when a barbarian with whirling frenzy enters a rage, he temporarily gains a +4 bonus to Strength and a +2 dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves. While in a whirling frenzy, the barbarian may make one extra attack in a round at his highest base attack bonus, but this attack takes a -2 penalty, as does each other attack made that round. This penalty applies for 1 round, so it also affects attacks of opportunity the barbarian might make before his next action."

The ambiguous part:
"Whirling frenzy is otherwise identical to the standard barbarian rage in all other ways. At 11th level (when a standard barbarian gains greater rage), the Strength bonus increases to +6, and the dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves increases to +3. At 20th level (when a standard barbarian gains mighty rage), the Strength bonus increases to +8, and the dodge bonus to Armor Class and on Reflex saves increases to +4."

[RobbyPants]

What part is ambiguous?

[TheWordSlinger]

I think he's asking whether he gets the same +4 con and +2 will saves that a standard Rage grants.

[Chemus]

A114
Since he "doesn't gain the normal bonuses", then the only bonuses he gains are what is listed in the new text. However, he's still fatigued, etc., at the end of the rage frenzy.