Wizard Class Skills-where's Use Magic Device?

[Gar0351]

Okay, had a new player to the game ask me why Wizards don't get Use Magic Device as a class skill.
I didn't have a good answer for him.
Anyone else explain why an arcane caster wouldn't have this as a class skill?

[Saldiven]

In the CRB, only the Bard, Rogue and Sorcerer have UMD as a class skill. Druids and Clerics don't get it either.

It appears that, in the CRB at least, the 9th lvl casters that have access to a wide array of spell availability do not get UMD as a class skill.

[Cormag cowsreck]

I think it's because they are so focused on wizard spells that they learn NOTHING about other forms of magic or at least how to operate them effectively.

[ryric]

I always figured it was because wizards learn the correct way to operate magic items. UMD is pretty much shaking the item, pushing buttons, shouting random words and hoping real hard until something lucky happens.

So while a wizard can learn how to do that for items like divine scrolls and wands(anyone can put ranks into any skill), it's not something they are particularly trained in(a class skill). Unless you spend a trait to make it such, which makes learning that way a background choice.

[LazarX]

Gar0351 wrote:

Okay, had a new player to the game ask me why Wizards don't get Use Magic Device as a class skill.

I didn't have a good answer for him.
Anyone else explain why an arcane caster wouldn't have this as a class skill?

Tell him that the skill is descended from AD+D tradition in the Theif's chance to use magic items and scrolls.

It is not a matter of skill, it's a matter of that bit of chaos that's part of the rogue class, no matter what their alignment may be, that bit of uncertainty that allows them a shot at triggering any magic item, even those a wizard can't use.

It's not a skill given to wizards as a class skill.. (unless they go Loremaster) because it 1.. doesn't really fit their meme, and 2...the class does not need the boost.

[Xethik]

If I recall, Sorcerers didn't get UMD in 3.5. And having a class skill meant much more there than in Pathfinder.

[Rub-Eta]

Their spell list is already large enough to make UMD close to useless for them (why use actions AND money to cast other spells?).

The idea of a wizard tampering with magic falls more in the role of an arcanist (who does have UMD).

This is also "fixed" with traits.