Detect Magic to find charges

[William Sinclair]

I know that when you use Detect Magic and Spellcraft to ID a wand, you get a command word, but what allows you to find out the number of charges. I've been digging through the Core Rulebook for awhile and can't find any definitive answer. We've been using Identify as the milestone, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

[Grick]

Detect Magic: "If the aura eminates from a magic item, you can attempt to identify its properties (see Spellcraft)."

Spellcraft: "This skill is also used to identify the properties of magic items in your possession through the use of spells such as detect magic and identify." ... "Attempting to ascertain the properties of a magic item takes 3 rounds per item to be identified and you must be able to thoroughly examine the object."

Most people consider the number of charges left as one of the properties of a wand. If you know what it is, you know everything about it. (Unless it's obscured or cursed or whatever)

[Howie23]

Here's how to find the definitive answer: Ask your GM if he wants to keep track of the charges or if he wants you to. :)

[Liongold]

.as a dm i would say there is no way. Adds a mistry to it. Unless your cutting groves or some other trick, i would say many pcs might lose track.

I use my wand... nothing happens. "Crap". Or is that just mean?

[Drone]

I agree with Grick. The number of charges is a property of the wand. Otherwise, how would a character know what it was worth? If they can't determine the number of charges, how can a merchant who wants to buy it? How is it calculated into the treasure split among the characters without knowing its worth?

[BillyGoat]

While I've always enjoyed the idea of having it be "mysterious" when the wand would run out, ultimately, Howie & Drone's points have prevailed.

If the party wants to sell it, how do they without knowing charges left?

Do I really want more paperwork, as a GM?

The answers are "they can't", and "heck no, I've got enough to do".

So when they ID the wand, they learn charges remaining.

[Banecrow]

Even if the GM wants to keep track of the charges themself there is an easy way to find out if it at least still has some.

Detect Magic, if it does not detect as magic then it must be out of charges.