Scaling problem with scroll-casting?


Rules Questions


The rules for casting scroll whose caster level is higher than the character don't scale. Am I missing a modifier somewhere?

From the scroll activation rules: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/scrolls

"If she meets all three requirements but her own caster level is lower than the scroll spell's caster level, then she has to make a caster level check (DC = scroll's caster level + 1) to cast the spell successfully."

If a wizard's caster level is 1 and a scroll's caster level is 9 (5th level spell), they need a DC 10 check which is a 50% chance but these rules don't scale. If a wizard's caster level is 16 is trying to activate a 17th level spell (only one level off) their chance of success is only 15%.

Why should 1st level wizards have a triple the chance of activating a scroll 8 levels out of their range while a 16th level wizard has only a scant chance of activating a CL 17 scroll. It doesn't seem correct.

The Exchange Owner - D20 Hobbies

You add your caster level to a CL check.


James Risner wrote:
You add your caster level to a CL check.

That makes sense but I don't know why they wouldn't put that on the page. (I'm new to pathfinder and didn't know about that rule.)


That's why it's called a caster level check.

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