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The Mage level 6 spell "Shade" says that it allows you to cast a shadow variant of the a number of spells(including defensive spells such as stone skin)

what does "shadow variant" explicitly mean?

It's been a good while. If memory serves, ia shadow spell creates something that is basically or at least partially an illusion. However, if a creature takes damage from a shadow illusion, that damage is real. So, the spells work on the same principle illusion spells do. The advantage of this is that it allows you to pull from a wide variety of spells without taking up more than one spell slot.

so essentially it is uselss for a Sorceror right?

I'd think it would be pretty useful, actually. *shrug* You can live without it, though.

It's pretty much useful only to sorcerer's IMO. A wizard can use any spell you find. A sorcerer has a limited number they can know. Taking one slot for that spell will end up giving you 4 or so lower level spells out of that slot.

I normally don't pick it as say, the 4th level spell Shadow conjuration gives you 5 spells of 1-2 level. I'd rather not have to use a 4th level spell slot for a magic missile or mage armor or invisibility when I could have it as a 1st or 2nd level slot instead.

Shades does seem somewhat useful though giving you some decent battle spells that are all rolled into one spell slot. That could free up some earlier slots for a sorcerer wanting more options.

I'd still rather use a metamagic feat if I'm going to blow a 6th level slot on a fireball or something like that personally. Efficiency over variety seems better to me.

[QUOTE=Magrus]
I'd still rather use a metamagic feat if I'm going to blow a 6th level slot on a fireball or something like that personally. Efficiency over variety seems better to me.[/QUOTE]

Same over here. Thanks for the tips!