Questions about Wand Caster Levels and Save DCs


Rules Questions


Ok, so I get that a 3rd level spell cast from a wand would be at least a DC 13 to save against, right? Would the caster's ability modifier be factored in, just as if he'd cast the spell himself?

Ok, and again I should know this but I can't recall it or find a source that tells me, but if a 10th level wizard crafted a Wand of Fireball would it then cast 10d6 fireballs? I think the answer is yes.

These should be answers I already know, but well, I won't go into it but I don't think as clearly as I once did.

Thanks in advance.


Magic item saving throws are always based on the minimum ability score needed to cast the spell.

3rd level spells require a minimum core of 13, which is a +1 modifier. So a wand of a 3rd level spell has a DC of 10 + 3 (spell level) + 1 (ability modifier) = 14.

Staffs are the only magic item that operates differently.


Groovy, thanks.


Your 10th level wizard can create a wand of fireball at 10th level, but he doesn't have to.
You can create the wand at anywhere from the minimum level to cast the spell (5th level for fireball) up to your actual caster level.


dragonhunterq wrote:

Your 10th level wizard can create a wand of fireball at 10th level, but he doesn't have to.

You can create the wand at anywhere from the minimum level to cast the spell (5th level for fireball) up to your actual caster level.

But do remember that crafting the wand at a higher caster level does increase the cost of the wand.

Wands cost (caster level x spell level x 750 gp), or half that to make. A normal Wand of Fireball (caster level 5) is worth 11,250 gp. A caster level 10 wand of fireball is worth 22,500 gp.


Thanks, guys. I wasn't worried about the cost of crafting it, just wondering about such things if the players found a wand in a treasure heap or on the body of a fallen bad guy.


Also worth noting that the save for that 10th level fireball is exactly the same as the 5th level version. It's still a 3rd level spell, so you still only need a 13 Int to cast it.

Probably another obvious point, but might be useful to someone if they didn't know:
Treasure defaults to the minimum level required to cast the spell in question. It needs to be consciously and expressly changed from that default by the GM/adventure source. If no information is given use the default.


Thanks for the info.

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