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Hey everyone. Just a quick question. If I make a character who specializes in the Thassilonian school of Greed (transmutation), I understand it restricts me from using spells of the opposing enchantment and illusion schools. But could I still use spells from those schools if I use a wand or staff?
It says, "if using a spell trigger or spell completion item to cast a spell from one of his prohibited schools, he must use the Use Magic Device skill to do so." Does this mean I can use that skill to cast prohibited spells in a wand? I want my guy to be really good at transmutation magic, but I'd also like to at least have access to invisibility spells... What's the consensus on this?
Thematically, I'm trying to build a wizard who is interested in the pursuit of ultimate knowledge and power, so that he can protect the people he loves and build a perfect society like the gods. He's fascinated with Thassilonian history and the rune lords, so he decides to brave their magic to gain greater power at potential risk to himself... I also want him to use a rapier and wear light armor. Any advice on all this stuff? Has anyone tried using this Thassilonian specialization before and found it useful?
This is pretty much just for the sake of trying on a new character. Wouldn't be able to play him anytime soon, but I'm interested in exploring Wizard specializations, and the pursuit of ultimate power within the game... kinda sounds cheesy, but I recently got into the Rise of the Runelords campaign as a GM, and its pretty cool stuff. Just brought up the question of arcane study as the ultimate pursuit of power in mind, and I want to play with the theme for my players.
Thanks.
When you take Thassilonian specialization you can't use spells from wands, scrolls, staves etc. that belong to your banned schools of magic like any other wizard, instead you must the UMD skill like everyone else.
What confuses you?
Thassilonian specialsts treat spells from barred schools as if they do not appear on the character's spell list.
It's no easier for a Thassilonian specialist transmuter to use a wand of invisibility or a scroll of dominate person than it is for him to use a wand of cure moderate wounds or a scroll of commune: these spells are not on the character's spell list, so he'll have to use UMD to activate the items. (Note that this is exactly how standard specialist wizards worked in OGL 3.5.)
Actually, if you want your Thassilonian transmuter to be able to wear light armor and weild a rapier, a one-level dip into bard might be what you're looking for. You would also be able to use (most) enchantment and illusion spell trigger and spell completion items without resorting to UMD checks... as long as the spells you're looking for appear on the bard spell list.
You would still need to take the feat Arcane Armor Training to avoid the armor check penalty when casting in light armor, but you'd get proficiency in light armor and rapier for free with the level dip; bards have many of the most useful enchantment and illusion spells on their spell list, too.
I see. Thanks guys. I was told that I can't even use a wand to staff with the UMD skill check. I was pretty sure that was wrong, but not certain, the rules where a little confusing when I read both for the wand and the Thassilonian rules.
Also, thanks for the bard advice. Very cool. :)