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I'm aware that spell trigger activation methods have the line that they usually use a standard action, and this used to be observed in 3.5 as evidence that wands always use at least a standard action to activate.
Later it was clarified by the Rules Compendium that wand activation does 'usually' require a standard action, but that is due to spells typically having that cast time. It updated the rules so a wand is activated using the action required by the spell contained within.
That said, I haven't seen that rule updated in Pathfinder. I'm aware that certain rules are grandfathered in by common sense or the community, or that many of them are clarified in obscure FAQs. What is the consensus on the action required to activated a wand with a swift action spell within, and where is this information listed?
Activation: Wands use the spell trigger activation method, so casting a spell from a wand is usually a standard action that doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. (If the spell being cast has a longer casting time than 1 action, however, it takes that long to cast the spell from a wand.) To activate a wand, a character must hold it in hand (or whatever passes for a hand, for nonhumanoid creatures) and point it in the general direction of the target or area. A wand may be used while grappling or while swallowed whole.
It looks like it's at lease a standard action, or longer if the spell takes longer (eg. Lesser Restorstion).
Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Spell trigger items can be used by anyone whose class can cast the corresponding spell. This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin. The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
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For funzies please see the "COLD STEEL, ICICLE'S, AND A DREAM" thread.
I believe that it will be amusing and informative.
For funzies please see the "COLD STEEL, ICICLE'S, AND A DREAM" thread.
I believe that it will be amusing and informative.
LINK for those interested.
Ironically, Karzoug has a wand of blood money meaning its a completely useless item when you can't swift action use it.
Ironically, Karzoug has a wand of blood money meaning its a completely useless item when you can't swift action use it.
The module is probably made by old hands. It's been a rule for the longest time in 3/3.5 that wands of swift action spells require a swift action to cast. The same goes for the few move action and immediate action spells that could go into wands.
The writer likely presumed this rule (which never broke the game) was still in effect. It's odd that it isn't in effect anymore. Perhaps this does go under the umbrella of legacy rules and is expected to be in effect?
I'll flag this for FAQ.
You're very unlikelu to get an answer to your FAQ, Paizo are focusing on PF2, and probably Starfinder after that.
I'd say RAW it doesn't work, but it wouldn't be an unreasonable house-rule to allow swift/immediate action spells to retain their casting time when used as wands.
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Ironically, Karzoug has a wand of blood money meaning its a completely useless item when you can't swift action use it.The module is probably made by old hands. It's been a rule for the longest time in 3/3.5 that wands of swift action spells require a swift action to cast. The same goes for the few move action and immediate action spells that could go into wands.
The writer likely presumed this rule (which never broke the game) was still in effect. It's odd that it isn't in effect anymore. Perhaps this does go under the umbrella of legacy rules and is expected to be in effect?
I'll flag this for FAQ.
The original module was written for the 3.5 version of D&D. It was re-edited in the anniversary edition, but there are several remnants of 3.5 rules.
It uses the fast track of the character advancement table, which is the equivalent of experience progression of 3-3.5 characters. While it allows characters to get higher levels, if you use character classes, spells, and abilities that were added after the CRB was printed the difficulty is a bit low. It can be used to make them more flavorful without making them weak for the challenges, but if you have a guy that likes to optimize it get a bit overpowering.