I am just starting a Eberron campaigne and i was looking over the use magic devise skill for the artificer and i find the skill is somewhat lacking the DC's are all setting which means at low levels they are almost impossible but higher level you cant fail so i was looking at changing the dc's to more like spellcraft kinda like this:
Activate Blindly: 20 + caster level
Use scroll: 10 + 2xspell level
Use Wand: 15 + 2xspell level
Emulate an Alignment: 10 + (5 per step away from your alignment)i will leave the other dc's the same but anyones opinions would be much appreciated
Use Magic Device is meant to be hard. Based on this a 3rd level character who focuses on it can have a +3 class skill +3 ranks +3 stat +5 feats for a total of 14. By your breakdown it's a roll of 10 or better to cast a 6th level spell off a scroll. Too easy if you ask me.
As a side note wands are intended to be the easiest magic devices to UMD. Also your emulate an alignment is way too low (max DC 30 for CE to emulate LG), after all you rarely have to emulate more than one step away; a neutral character can use an evil weapon just fine.
If you want to make a UMD based class (I don't really know what an artificer is) useful then I'd recommend giving a class bonus to the skill.
We are using the Ebberon Alchemist in the campaign I am in ATM. The DM gave the alchemist a +2 bonus to activate items that the alchemist created.
As someone else said, skill focus and magical aptitude can give you up to a +5 bonus to UMD. I would consider these to be nearly required for an alchemist.
We are using the Ebberon Alchemist in the campaign I am in ATM. The DM gave the alchemist a +2 bonus to activate items that the alchemist created.
As someone else said, skill focus and magical aptitude can give you up to a +5 bonus to UMD.
Dont forget items. No artificer worth his salt doesnt have a UMD magic item.