Wands and Arcane Spell Failure


Rules Questions

Scarab Sages

I tried to figure out whether or not the casting of a spell from a wand suffers from arcane spell failure chance or not. I cannot find a passage that would suggest that it does, and indeed, triggering a wand is described as being a simpler act than casting (for example, it does not provoke and has a relatively low UMD DC), so that would fit.

Am I missing something?

It just occurred to me that a Fighter could profit from either a single Wizard level or a high UMD score to make use of wands of Shield, Mirror Image etc. and not care about ASFC at all.


1 person marked this as FAQ candidate.

As far as I'm aware, you're not missing anything. A wand is a simple point and activate item. That's why it doesn't provoke an AoO if used when threatened; casting from a wand involves no intricate gestures that might be hindered by one's equipment.

I don't know if this is spelled out anywhere within the rules, however. Someone may come along with a quote later, but until then recognize that an unwritten rule is, even more so than all others, left to the GM to determine.


As far as I read it, spell failure chance wouldn't apply to spell trigger (eg wands) items, much like it wouldn't apply use activated (eg potions), or command activated (eg rings).

Spell Trigger: No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just ... a single word that must be spoken.

Casting an Arcane Spell in Armor: If the spell lacks a somatic component, however, it can be cast with no chance of arcane spell failure.

If you rule that a fighter should roll an arcane failure chance for drinking a potion of invisibility, or using a ring of invisibility, then they should also roll for using a wand of invisibility. Otherwise, no roll, IMHO.

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