Followup to Delayed Effect and Charges

[nelay]

I am not sure how to word the questions without it becoming confusing, so I will provide an example to illustrate it.
In a Hero campaign where magic is restricted to INT/5 spells active at any given time we have a wizard with 20 INT (who can have 4 spells ready at any give time by the campaign rules).
The wizard decides to make all his spells delayed effect to take advantage of the ability rack the spells. He buys a firebolt spell (1d6 RKA, 3 charges per day, extra time 1 minute, delayed effect). If the wizard wants to prepare the fireball spell three times does it mean:
A. He uses three of his spell slots and each of those slots holds 3 firebolts.
B. He uses three of his spell slots, each one holding 1 firebolt?

As a followup, if the power wasn't delayed effect, does the 1 minute extra time only go to "activate" the whole power (He spends the 1 minute and can cast the 3 firebolts right away) or does each of those charges take a 1 minute?

I thought I knew the answers, but I have a player who is interpreting it differently than I do and he makes a compelling arguement.

Thanks for the great product and stellar support.

[Steve Long]

1. It would mean each slot would allow the character to use the spell three times. While this makes sense for some uses of Delayed Effect (such as alchemists making potions), it could become unbalancing for more “standard” abilities and spells. The GM should either (a) require such Delayed Effect powers either to be bought without Charges, or with only 1 Charge (see previous question ;) ), or (b) rule that only the first Charge used is covered by the Delayed Effect rules and that all other Charges must be cast as if they were otherwise normal spells (i.e., they suffer all Limitations at time of casting). The (a) route is generally the preferred one, I think.

2. Per the Delayed Effect rules, the Extra Time applies when the power is prepared not when it’s cast. That’s one reason why GMs generally don’t allow most Delayed Effect powers to be bought with Charges.