Use Magic Device based on CHA??

[Legora]

Ok, just cause I'd love to know some actual reasons, but WHY on earth is use magic device based on CHA? CHA is supposed to be your force of personality yes? so are you trying to convince the magic item it likes you and wants to work? Are you performing an expert monologue to stimulate the wand into working?

Wisdom is the basis for Will, and Intelligence is the basis for arcane magic. Why aren't one of these the basis for Use Magic Device?

In my games, I allow the players to decide to take UMD based on INT, or keep it on CHA. I've had multiple arguments that players state UMD based on CHA means you are "imposing your will" on the magic item. But if the item isn't sentient then how will it know you are a clever speaker?

[kyrt-ryder]

Legora wrote:

Ok, just cause I'd love to know some actual reasons, but WHY on earth is use magic device based on CHA? CHA is supposed to be your force of personality yes? so are you trying to convince the magic item it likes you and wants to work? Are you performing an expert monologue to stimulate the wand into working?

Wisdom is the basis for Will, and Intelligence is the basis for arcane magic. Why aren't one of these the basis for Use Magic Device?

In my games, I allow the players to decide to take UMD based on INT, or keep it on CHA. I've had multiple arguments that players state UMD based on CHA means you are "imposing your will" on the magic item. But if the item isn't sentient then how will it know you are a clever speaker?

Will doesn't equal your force of will, it equals your stubborn mental resilience, it's complicated and some people feel that Charisma should be the Will save attribute, but that's neither here nor there.

Also, intelligence isn't the basis for Arcane magic. Charisma is. Wizard's study the magic, they learn the formulae necessary to bring it out of the environment. Sorcerers call the magic forth from within them through their force of will and personality, their Charisma.

Have you ever known somebody, who walks into a room and people automatically look at him, who carries a presense, an aura of authority and command? That, in essense, is what charisma is. It's your ability to bend things to your will, to, mentally/spiritually command things (including the magic within the item)

[Oliver McShade]

For the same reason Sorcerer were created and Turn "Channel" undead was made into a Charisma. To give this ability score something to do.

The same reason why Sorcerers get to do magic is why "Use Magic Device" is Charisma based.

[stringburka]

Legora wrote:

Ok, just cause I'd love to know some actual reasons, but WHY on earth is use magic device based on CHA? CHA is supposed to be your force of personality yes? so are you trying to convince the magic item it likes you and wants to work? Are you performing an expert monologue to stimulate the wand into working?

Personally, I've always seen UMD as a bluff. It's a rogue skill primarily, because rogues are so godamn sneaky they can even bluff a magic item they are spellcasters/evil/whatever!

[udalrich]

Charisma also seems to have a tie to inherent magicalness. Sorcerers use it as their casting stat, and spell-like abilities usually use Charisma to determine the DC. Both of those can be described as using magic that is inherently within you.

With UMD, you're finding a bit of you that is magical and using that operate the device.