So I am a new GM, running my first campaign, about to place the first wand into the world as loot.
I knows scrolls, can only be used by casters able to read the scroll.
Potions I believe anyone can use with no issue.
Wands I cant seem to figure out, I know there is UMD that must play into it somehow..
School me on wand usage please, my players appreciate it.
If you are a caster and the spell in the wand is on your spell list then you can use the wand without a check. If it is not on your spell list or you have no casting ability then you have to make a DC 20 UMD check to make the wand work.
EDIT: More stuff
Also in regards to scrolls:
"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."
Along with that:
"Emulate an Ability Score: To cast a spell from a scroll, you need a high score in the appropriate ability (Intelligence for wizard spells, Wisdom for divine spells, or Charisma for sorcerer or bard spells). Your effective ability score (appropriate to the class you're emulating when you try to cast the spell from the scroll) is your Use Magic Device check result minus 15. If you already have a high enough score in the appropriate ability, you don't need to make this check."
You can also decipher a scroll with a DC 25 + spell level UMD check (or Spellcraft at a lower DC), so Read Magic isn't strictly required, it's just nice.
Only thing to add is that rangers and paladins have spell lists, even if they can't cast them yet. e.g. a level 1 paladin can use a wand of CLW without a UMD check.
Edit: This also would have been better for the rules thread.
|
To activate a wand you have to have a character class that allows for spell casting of that spell at some point or succeed at a Used Magic Device check.
Let's see if we can't have a good example. How about a Wand of Cure Light Wounds?
Any class that has the spell Cure Light Wounds on its spell list, such as a Druid, Cleric, Bard, Oracle, or Paladin, is able to activate this wand for its effect assuming they of course know it is a wand. Having either been told and explained or having identified it themselves gives them the amount of information needed to use it and usually how many charges are available for it.
A wizard however could not activate the wand as Cure Light Wounds as that spell doesn't appear on her class spell list. Thus they would need to succeed a Use Magic Device check to activate it as listed by the skill. Similarly a Fighter or Rogue would also need to UMD it as they don't have spell lists at all.
I debated a long time which place to post advice or rules, die roll chose advice, my bad blame the dice :)
So if I understand it right a fighter(or other non caster) could use a wand, even though he is not a caster, don't have the spell on his spell list (has no list), but does have a bit of UMD. at a DC of 20 - his UMD...
EDIT: holy ninjas batman, I get it now...Thanks guys!
More Wand Trivia: Unless I've missed a FAQ, being able to use a SLA that has the same effect as, say, darkness does not mean that darkness is on your spell list.
Yep. A DC 20 UMD check lets anyone activate a wand.
I find it annoying that using a wand is easier than using a scroll, if the spell is not in your spell list.
I wonder if I could get a wand crafted with only 5 charges.... *ponders*
|
|
Well wands are designed to be easier to use then scrolls in general.
You don't draw attacks of opportunity when using one (well for activating the wand at least), you can use it while grappling or even while being swallowed whole. Ease of use is the whole point.
You might be able to find a wand for sale with fewer but for the most part to create a wand it is going to have start out fully charged.