Use Magic Device and Command Words

[DungeonmasterCal]

So, let's say the Rogue in your party found a wand of grease and the party's Bard, using the identify spell finds the command word. Does the Rogue still have to utilize the Use Magic Device Skill or does he get to bypass that now that he has the command word? Or is there just a bonus on the roll for knowing it?

Thanks,

DMCal

[Curghann]

Wands don't technically have command words. Wands are spell trigger items which is a separate category of magic item than "command word" items.

[DungeonmasterCal]

Ah, ok.

[BigNorseWolf]

he has to use use magic device BUT at the easier dc for not activating blindly.

"Swish and flick, flick and swish..."

[Curghann]

I dont think that's correct.

Quote:

You must consciously choose which requirement to emulate. That is, you must know what you are trying to emulate when you make a Use Magic Device check for that purpose. The DCs for various tasks involving Use Magic Device checks are summarized on the table below.

"Activate Blindly" is a separate listed action than "Use a Wand"

The verbiage around Activate Blindly seems to indicate it should be used for items with command words or other special activation methods that you are not currently aware of.

Use a Wand is pretty cut and dry in its definition.

Now, if you had perhaps not identified that the item in question was a wand then I could perhaps see attempting to Activate Blindly but that's an interpretation on my part and not explicitly listed in the skill description.

[taks]

Indeed, the stick of unknown magic. :)

[Vatras]

It does not matter, if the rogue knows the command word or what the wand does. To use a wand requires you to have the spell in question on your class list. UMD allows you to bypass that requirement, knowing what the item is or what activates it does not (it is in the skill description for wands).