RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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The item "Hand of the Mage" lets the wearer cast Mage Hand at will. The item "Ring of Forcefangs" lets the wearer build up charges and then cast Magic Missile.
In cases like these, how does the spellcasting work? I assume you don't need to already be a spellcaster. However, does arcane spell failure apply? Does it provoke an attack of opportunity? If you take damage, do you need to roll concentration?
And so on and so forth. Please support your statements with references.
Thanks!
I assume you don't need to already be a spellcaster.
Correct.
Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. No other special knowledge is needed.
However, does arcane spell failure apply?
No, as there is no somatic component.
Arcane Spell Failure Chance: Armor interferes with the gestures that a spellcaster must make to cast an arcane spell that has a somatic component.
Does it provoke an attack of opportunity?
No.
Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
If you take damage, do you need to roll concentration?
No, although I couldn't find a suitable quote to show you.
And I can assume that since no activation method is listed for the items I linked, they're Command Word-activated by default?
Yes.
Command Word: If no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it.
I just wanted to drop a note complimenting FarmerBob on such a well-researched and considerate reply. Nice job, dude.
Thanks!
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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I just wanted to drop a note complimenting FarmerBob on such a well-researched and considerate reply. Nice job, dude.
I second this. That's exactly the style of reply I love to see. Kudos, FarmerBob!
You're letting the flavor text confuse you. It's just like any other magic item... it's an effect triggered by command.
Could you elaborate? What flavor text in particular do you think is confusing me?
Next question: are these two items (or any other spell-effect-producing items) worth getting for a non-archetype fighter? Or should I just focus on stat boosters and weapons and armor and stuff?
Next question: are these two items (or any other spell-effect-producing items) worth getting for a non-archetype fighter? Or should I just focus on stat boosters and weapons and armor and stuff?
In those slots, a +1 Amulet of Natural Armor and a +2 Ring of Protection would be far more useful to a fighter than Hand of the Mage and Ring of ForceFangs for roughly the same cost.
If you are looking for something for flavor, you could go with the Magical Talent trait and get a 0-level spell 1/day.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Next question: are these two items (or any other spell-effect-producing items) worth getting for a non-archetype fighter? Or should I just focus on stat boosters and weapons and armor and stuff?In those slots, a +1 Amulet of Natural Armor and a +2 Ring of Protection would be far more useful to a fighter than Hand of the Mage and Ring of ForceFangs for roughly the same cost.
If you are looking for something for flavor, you could go with the Magical Talent trait and get a 0-level spell 1/day.
I was only considering the Hand of the Mage because (A) it gets really annoying when there's a suspicious object that needs handling and I discover that none of the casters have mage hand and (B) it's really not that expensive at 900gp. But I'll probably just skip it.
As for the Ring of Forcefangs, I do have two ring slots, don't I? I guess I just assumed... If I do, then wouldn't the ability to fling free magic missiles at anyone who tried to use force effects on me be kind of nice? (In addition to not getting hit in the first place, obviously.) Or do such effects not come up much? Honestly, the only one I can think of is magic missile itself.
I was only considering the Hand of the Mage because (A) it gets really annoying when there's a suspicious object that needs handling and I discover that none of the casters have mage hand and (B) it's really not that expensive at 900gp. But I'll probably just skip it.
Mage Hand only works on unattended non-magical items, weighing 5 lbs or less. Anything that Mage Hand can affect is probably not too interesting to begin with... You might find a good use for it occasionally, but it is probably a novelty more than anything else. As the spellcasters gain levels, they'll likely wind up with Mage Hand eventually if that's a concern for you.
As for the Ring of Forcefangs, I do have two ring slots, don't I? I guess I just assumed... If I do, then wouldn't the ability to fling free magic missiles at anyone who tried to use force effects on me be kind of nice? (In addition to not getting hit in the first place, obviously.) Or do such effects not come up much? Honestly, the only one I can think of is magic missile itself.
You do get two rings, but if you are saving up your money to buy something, Forcefangs would be real far down on the list (after armor/weapon enchantments, ring of pro, cloak of resist, belt of str, amulet of nat armor, etc). By the time Forcefangs makes the list, avoiding MM damage will be moot.
For 8k, Forcefangs is a really expensive way to block magic missiles. I'd go with Brooch of Shielding, if you are concerned about it.