Wild Magic Rules
Wild Surges
Wild surges are fluctuations in a
spell caused by randomization or chaos in the source of the spell energy.
These randomizations can make the spell weaker or stronger, or even cause
it to have a totally different effect or backfire upon the caster.
When a spellcaster casts a spell with a wild surge,
the player rolls 4d6, disregards the lowest number, and compares the
result to Table 1-1: Ability Modifers and Bonus Spells in the
Player's Handbook.). The result is the surge modifier. The surge
modifier is added to the caster level of the spell. A spell's caster level
cannot be modified below 1, although the caster level can be modified
below the minimum level to cast a spell. If the modified caster level
means that the spell's range cannot reach the target, the spell activates
at the end point of the spell's new maximum range along the line of effect
to the original target. A spell with a caster level of 0 or less does not
function (as if the spellcasting had been disrupted).
Example: Marlee at 5th level spends a wild
magic point to cause a wild surge in her fireball spell. She rolls
4d6 and gets 1, 1, 1, 4. Disregarding the lowest die gets her a 6, which
according to Table 1-1: Ability Modifers and Bonus Spells gives her a
surge modifier of -2. Adding the surge modifier to her caster level gets
her a final caster level of 3 (5 + -2). Her fireball acts as if
cast by a 3rd-level caster (it has a 520 ft. range and deals 3d6 fire
damage).
Greater Surges
If the surge
modifier is an even number, the spell may have a greater surge. The
caster attempts a Will saving throw (DC 15 + spell level). Like all saving
throws, the caster can voluntarily fail this saving throw. If failed,
there is no greater surge. If successful, the caster rolls d% and consults
the Wild Magic Greater Surge Table below. Higher results are
generally more beneficial to the caster, lower results are generally less
beneficial. All greater surge effects based on spells take effect at the
caster's normal caster level. Any surge effect that is inappropriate for
the spell (such as "Spell changes energy type" for a spell that doesn't do
energy damage) means the greater surge has no effect.