using a scroll

[Ashimaro]

Right I just wanted to check with you knowledgeable lot regarding the rules for the use of scrolls. This is as I'm having my first proper attempt at dming a campaign and want it to run smoothly.

The parties wizard (level 2) has got a scroll of flaming sphere (Caster level 5th). Now he has the spell on his classes spell list and the required attribute score and its an arcane spell. Does he therefore have to roll a caster check of 6 (scroll caster level 5+1) or 4 (first level he can get flaming sphere + 1)? Or am I missing something else as well?

Thanks in advance.

[Hendelbolaf]

You have it correct. If the scroll's caster level is higher than the character's caster level then he has to make the caster level check. Normally it would be a 4 as most scrolls of Flaming Sphere would be written at 3rd level. The rules, however, it say the "scroll spell's caster level" so it would seem to be 5th level in this case so 6 is the DC.

[Shoga]

Page 490 Players guide... Quote "If the user meets all the requirements noted above, and her caster level is at least equal to the spell’s caster level, she can automatically activate the spell without a check.If she meets all three requirements but her own caster level is
lower than the scroll spell’s caster level, then she has to make
a caster level check (DC = scroll’s caster level + 1) to cast the
spell successfully."

Shoga

[Ashimaro]

Thanks Hendel, okay so the caster check would be d20 + his caster level of 2-So would need to roll a 4 or more?

[Hendelbolaf]

Ashimaro wrote:

Thanks Hendel, okay so the caster check would be d20 + his caster level of 2-So would need to roll a 4 or more?

Correct! If it fails then he needs to make a Wisdom Check (not a Will Save) to avoid a mishap as well.

[Ashimaro]

Excellent,that's all clear in my head now. Thanks for the fast response.

[leo1925]

Keep in mind that if he rolls a natural 1 on the caster level for activating the scroll a mishap always happens without the wisdom check, also the nat 1 on this check is always a failure.

@Shoga
Thank you for reminding me that the DC for activating a scroll with higher caster level is scrolls CL+1, i was misremembering that it's the scroll's CL.

[Hendelbolaf]

Leo925, I actually read that as a natural 1 always results in a failure of the caster level check which would then require a Wisdom check to avoid a mishap. I don't see it as meaning that a 1 means both checks are failed or the first check fails AND there is no need for a Wisdom check.

Here are the lines in question:

"If she meets all three requirements but her own caster level is lower than the scroll spell's caster level, then she has to make a caster level check (DC = scroll's caster level + 1) to cast the spell successfully. If she fails, she must make a DC 5 Wisdom check to avoid a mishap (see Scroll Mishaps). A natural roll of 1 always fails, whatever the modifiers."

I agree that the placement is a little awkward, but I still do not read it as a two for one failure.