Has a discussion in a game I was playing about what is required to utalize a scroll.
From what I read,
Use Magical Device (UMD) is the appropriate skill where the DC is 20 + caster level. I assume that caster level = the level required to cast spell (ie 3rd for a arcane 2nd level spell, ect)
The spell on the scroll must be from the users caster list.
I think I'm missing something though. Rogues get UMD as a class skill yet they don't have a spell list so would that mean that they can't use scrolls?
We house ruled that if the scroll spell was on your list you could simply use it (as the discussion was taking away from gameplay) but I'd like to know how its supposed to work.
UMD
"Use a Scroll: 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.
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Here's the current text for using a scroll with UMD:
Use a Scroll: 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. This use of the skill also applies to other spell completion magic items.
Normally you need to have the spell contained on the scroll on your class spell list. UMD is what's helping you "cheat" usage of the magic item. Your house rule is actually the RAW in this particular case. If you have the spell on your class spell list, you need no UMD check (unless your casting stat isn't high enough to cast the spell normally). If you have no class spell list you need to make a UMD check with DC equal to 20 + the minimum caster level of the spell contained on the scroll, to prove that your knowledge of using magic devices is so great that you don't need to be a spellcaster to use scrolls.
There are, in fact, two ways to use a scroll. The normal way is to have the spell on your class list (and have the scroll match your type of magic (arcane/divine)). The rules for doing that are under "Activation" here.
The other way is to use UMD. In this case, you use the rules under that skill, and spell lists are irrelevant.
"Use a Scroll: 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.
I must have been misreading. Your bolded portions pretty much spell it out. Thanks
You are mixing up the normal use of scrolls (by casters) and a character who tries to use it through the Use Magic Device skill. Completely different.
That is correct, if you are just trying to cast a spell from a scroll (and not using Use Magic Device), the spell needs to be on your spell list.
But the point of the Use Magic Device skill is to use a magic item (scroll in this case) if you don’t normally have to capability to do so.
So to use your scroll, it is as you said, DC 20 + the caster level (that created the scroll).
Please keep in mind that you also need to have your ability score high enough to cast the spell as well, which falls under Emulate an ability score (under the skill). So in the example of a 3rd level Cleric spell, you would need to have a 13 Wisdom. The check required (if you don’t have the correct ability score) is your Use Magic Device check minus 15. So to attain that 13, you would need to make a check of 28. That is a completely separate, additional roll than the 20+caster level check to just use the scroll in the first place.
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It's sad, I keep seeing people cheat themselves by making checks they don't need to make. Probably the result of the skill name "USE magic device" implying that you need the skill in order to use any magic device. :P Fortunately, a level 5 wizard with at least a 13 INT can use a scroll of fireball with no checks whatsoever.
It's sad, I keep seeing people cheat themselves by making checks they don't need to make. Probably the result of the skill name "USE magic device" implying that you need the skill in order to use any magic device. :P Fortunately, a level 5 wizard with at least a 13 INT can use a scroll of fireball with no checks whatsoever.
Wow, I had never noticed the caster level requirement.