Spell Penetration with wands?

[thepuregamer]

When a spell cast from a wand targets a creature with SR, Does spell penetration get included in the caster lvl check made to break SR?

[james maissen]

thepuregamer wrote:

When a spell cast from a wand targets a creature with SR, Does spell penetration get included in the caster lvl check made to break SR?

The Paizo folk had ruled that things like augment summoning applied to scroll use, so by extension spell penetration should as well.

-James

[hogarth]

james maissen wrote:

thepuregamer wrote:

When a spell cast from a wand targets a creature with SR, Does spell penetration get included in the caster lvl check made to break SR?

The Paizo folk had ruled that things like augment summoning applied to scroll use, so by extension spell penetration should as well.

-James

Note that Sean K Reynolds stated the exact opposite in the FAQ, so take any "official" rulings on the issue with a grain of salt. :-)

[thepuregamer]

wait so there are 2 opposite rulings? well thanks for the info. If/when the situation comes up, I will just ask the DM to rule it one way or the other.

[Ravingdork]

thepuregamer wrote:

When a spell cast from a wand targets a creature with SR, Does spell penetration get included in the caster lvl check made to break SR?

With wands? No. You aren't casting the spell, but activating the wand (and Spell Penetration only applies when you cast spells). What's more, a wand uses its own caster level, not yours, so Spell Penetration is inconsequential (as it only helps your caster level).

Staves are more likely to work, since they use your own caster level, but in the end, you still aren't casting the spell yourself, you're activating a magical staff, which is not the same thing.