I wouldn't..
Stephen Klauk wrote:
Since we're pondering consolidating other skills, how about merging these two skills?
- Activate blindly. Don't you think a wizard would naturally be better at attempting this?
One would think this, but go look at the skills for a wizard. Use magic device is a cross-class skill. I not saying it should, (I can think see the fluff logic behind it.) but it is amusing none the less.
Stephen Klauk wrote:
- Emulate an ability score. This, I assume is so that you can cast spells you don't have the minimum ability score for. Probably should be dropped and just up the DC of activating the item properly.
- Emulate an alignment/class feature/race. Same as emulating an ability score.
The emulate an ability score is specifically for scrolls, where you have the required amount of int to cast the spell. It was probably meant to be a work around for rouges/bards, who were the only two classes to have it as a class skill. Both those classes didn't have Int as a key score so this rule was there so they could cast off of scrolls with having to put a 18 in int.
The alignment/class feature/race is in a similar boat. It was meant to let you items you normally couldn't. Furthermore there are items are only effected by these checks, so there wouldn't be a DC to add to.
For Example: They mention Book of Vile Darkness in the PHB. A rouge could emulate the alignment so they don't take the damage and can gain the benefit. The only check on it is the one to emulate the alignment.
Stephen Klauk wrote:
- Decipher a written spell: Use spellcraft. If the spell is not on your list increase DC by 5. Note this only allows you to make sense of it ("Oh, it's a scroll of magic missile") - it doesn't allow you to cast it.
Thats how the rule is now, sans the +5 DC part. That use of the skill is already in Spellcraft and Use Magic Device, but the check in Spellcraft is 20+spell level vs 25+spell level.
Stephen Klauk wrote:
- Use a scroll/wand: keep the rules for casting off your list. Would likely be a good idea to add a hefty penalty for crossing lists (say +10) and or the arcane/divine barrier (on the order of +10 or better). That would make a wizard who attempts to use a cleric wand/scroll have a base DC of 40 before adding in the caster level...
Uhh.. Huh? The rules for casting spells off of wands and scrolls state if you have the spell on your list you can use it automatically. The use magic device makes it clear that those checks are only made if you don't have on your list.
SRD wrote:
Use a Scroll
If you are casting a spell from a scroll, you have to decipher it first. Normally, to cast a spell from a scroll, you must have the scroll’s spell on your class spell list. Use Magic Device allows you to use a scroll as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is equal to 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from the scroll. In addition, casting a spell from a scroll requires a minimum score (10 + spell level) in the appropriate ability. If you don’t have a sufficient score in that ability, you must emulate the ability score with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above).
This use of the skill also applies to other spell completion magic items.
Use a Wand
Normally, to use a wand, you must have the wand’s spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill allows you to use a wand as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill also applies to other spell trigger magic items, such as staffs.
Am I misunderstanding something?...
Most importantly the use magic device skill is meant mostly for Rouges, and to roll it into spellcraft would mean to make spellcraft a Rouge class skill. I don't like my rouges knowing as much about magic as my wizards.
