Wand Wielder Magus


Rules Questions


4 people marked this as FAQ candidate.

It was brought up the other day that the wording of the magus arcana "Wand Wielder" was somewhat open to interpretation. "The magus can activate a wand or staff in place of casting a spell when using spell combat." Does this refer to any wand or staff, or only ones on the magus spell list? The ambiguity comes from the phrase, "when using spell combat" as spell combat can only be done with actual magus spells.


Pathfinder Maps Subscriber

I would lean towards retaining the restriction to (wands or staffs of) spells on the magus list. I do see how it could be read the other way, but when in doubt the conservative approach tends to minimize unintended consequences. I'll hit the FAQ button, but I expect this isn't high on the list.

Liberty's Edge

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We had this discussion in the forum a few week ago. No consensus was reached.

It is here


what kind of action does UMD require already? Is UMD compatible with spell combat? because if not, we have an answer that the magus is indeed restricted to wands and staves of spells on his list.


Klorox wrote:
what kind of action does UMD require already? Is UMD compatible with spell combat? because if not, we have an answer that the magus is indeed restricted to wands and staves of spells on his list.

UMD itself doesn't require an action, but activating a wand or activating a staff (or whatever else) would require an action. This is irrelevant because Wand Wielder changes the action required.

UMD LINK

Quote:

Action

None. The Use Magic Device check is made as part of the action (if any) required to activate the magic item.


I lean (strongly) toward letting Magi use cross-class wands/staves with wand wielder.

Let's examine the text:

Spell Combat wrote:
... As a full-round action, he can make all of his attacks with his melee weapon at a –2 penalty and can also cast any spell from the magus spell list with a casting time of 1 standard action...

LINK

This means the spell DOES have to be from the Magus spell list,

BUT...

Use Magice Device wrote:
Use a Wand, Staff, or Other Spell Trigger Item: Normally, to use a wand, you must have the wand's spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill allows you to use a wand as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. Failing the roll does not expend a charge.

LINK

This seems to say that if you succeed at your check the spell counts as being on your spell list.

HOWEVER...

SlimGauge wrote:
I would lean towards retaining the restriction to (wands or staffs of) spells on the magus list. I do see how it could be read the other way, but when in doubt the conservative approach tends to minimize unintended consequences. I'll hit the FAQ button, but I expect this isn't high on the list.

Despite disagreeing completely with the decision Slimgauge came to, I completely agree with the rationale used. I also agree that it could be read either way.

If a GM denied this to me I'd point them to this post. If they still didn't agree I wouldn't push it (I'd also ask them before investing in too many staves/wands).

I guess the only consensus is "Expect Table Variation" and "Ask Your GM".


Diego Rossi wrote:

We had this discussion in the forum a few week ago. No consensus was reached.

It is here

If it's come up twice in a few weeks, it might be worth a FAQ request since I'm clearly not the only one thinking about it :)

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