[RPG] Can Heighten Spell benefit a [Reserve] feat

dnd-3.5efeatspathfinder-1espells

Following this question, I notified my player that I was thinking of changing the way that her combo would work. Before I could even tell her how that would work, she started digging into the books again for some new, more "conventional" ways to raise her spellcasting limit.

She asked me if I would allow the Complete Mage from D&D 3.5, and I (stupid me) said yes.

Now she appeared with a new character sheet, with two feats that gave me chills – Storm Bolt and Heighten Spell.

Then I looked at her Character Sheet. She managed to bring her Int up to 24 (in a legal way), thus she has an extra 7th level spell slot.

I immediately realized what she's planning – she will put a Heightened Lightning Bolt (7th level) on that slot and use the reserve feat to use a 7d6 "at will" Lightning Bolt.

First, Heighten Spell reads:

All effects dependent on spell level (such as saving throw DCs and
ability to penetrate a lesser globe of invulnerability) are calculated
according to the heightened level.

And then, Storm Bolt reads:

As long as you have an electricity spell of 3rd level or higher
available to cast, you can fire a 20-foot line of electricity as a
standard action. This bolt deals 1d6 points of electricity damage per
level of the highest-level electricity spell you have available to
cast
. A successful Reflex save halves damage.

Emphasis mine.

How will the Reserve Feat interact with this? I suppose it will use the effective spell level of the Heightened LB (7th), but there might be nuances that I'm missing.

I'm feeling a little uneasy about letting a wizard have an at-will 7d6 short lightning bolt, but again I don't want to punish players for creative use of the system.

Do these two feats interact in the way she is thinking they do?

Best Answer

This two feats interact the way she is thinking they do?

Yes. She can prepare a lvl 7 Heightened Lightning Bolt and cast it as much as she wants with the reserve feat (at a shorter range than the official spell).

When she levels up, and eventually gain access to higher slots, she can fill them with Heightened Lightning Bolts and use them as much as she wants.