Metamagic Rodz

Let's say a wizard has a lesser metamagic rod of Maximize, and he also
knows the Empower Spell feat.

OK, so he memorizes an Empowered fireball, as a 5th level spell.

Now, can he use the lesser metamagic rod to cast an Empowered Maximized
fireball, because it's a 3rd level spell, or can he not do so because
it's been memorized as a 5th level spell and it's only a lesser rod?

> OK, so he memorizes an Empowered fireball, as a 5th level spell.
The spell is still of 3rd level. It only uses a higher level spell
slot.

> Now, can he use the lesser metamagic rod to cast an Empowered Maximized
> fireball, because it's a 3rd level spell, ...
Yes. An empowered and maximized spell works under the conditions stated
in the PHB under the Maximize Spell feat. The rod only checks for the
level of the spell, not the slot it uses.

>... or can he not do so because it's been memorized as a 5th level spell and it's only a lesser rod?
As stated above, the spell is still of 3rd level. If the character
tries to use the rod for a Heightened fireball of the 5th level, the
rod would not work, if it is a lesser one.

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LB