Magic items: Rods, staves, wands & scrolls...who can use?

Ok...we had a bit of an argument last session... :\

Rods- can be used by all

Wands & Staves: arcane/divine casters only -as per spell

Scrolls: Arcane/Divine as per spell


Is this correct?

If not...please direct me to page # in either 3.0 or 3.5 D&D.

Thank you!

The correct way to look at something is, "What kind of item is it?"

For purposes of this discussion, there's three kinds of items: Spell Trigger, Spell Completion, and Other.

Scrolls are one example of Spell Completion items (and are, in fact, the only example in the main D&D books). In order to use a spell completion item, you must have the spell on your class spell list and be at least the caster level of the item in order to use it safely. If you do not meet the minimum CL, you'll need to make a CL check to activate it. Furthermore, at least as far as scrolls are concerned, you must be the correct type of caster, either arcane or divine.

For instance, take a CL 1 scroll of Cure Light Wounds, Divine. This scroll may be used by any cleric or druid, and by any paladin or ranger of 4th-level or higher. Anyone else wishing to use it must make a Use Magic Device check in order to do so.

Similarly, take a CL 1 scroll of Cure Light Wounds, Arcane. This scroll may be used by any bard. Anyone else wishing to use it must make a UMD check in order to do so.

The next set of items is Spell Trigger items - like wands and staves. Spell Trigger items may be used by anyone who has the spell contained on his or her class spell list - even if he or she lacks the ability to cast that particular spell yet. Spell Trigger items are neither arcane nor divine, and are useable by anyone.

For instance, take a Wand of Cure Light Wounds (the infamous healy-stick). It may be used without fail by any cleric, druid, bard, paladin, or ranger of any level.

"Everything else" - rods, magic swords, etc. - will vary depending upon the particular item, but the general rule is that anyone can use them.

EDIT: Oh, the 3.5 SRD on this subject can be found here: http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/MagicItemsI.rtf

Look at 3.0 DMG p. 175, right-hand column (rules are identical in 3.5). Scrolls are "spell completion". Wands & staffs are "spell trigger". Rods are "use activated".

Patryn of Elvenshae said:

For instance, take a CL 1 scroll of Cure Light Wounds, Divine. This scroll may be used by any cleric or druid, and by any paladin or ranger of 4th-level or higher. Anyone else wishing to use it must make a Use Magic Device check in order to do so.

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Not exactly. If level is the only thing wrong, they can make a caster level 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. If she fails, she must make a DC 5 Wisdom check to avoid a mishap (see Scroll Mishaps, below). A natural roll of 1 always fails, whatever the modifiers.

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The correct answer is "Anyone willing to burn the points on UMD."

CyberSpyder said:

Not exactly. If level is the only thing wrong, they can make a caster level check.

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Not exactly; no caster level (the case of a Range or Paladin before level 4) is not the same thing as a caster level of 0. The 2nd level Paladin does not have a caster level, and therefore can't make a caster level check to cast the spell from the scroll.

Actually, according to the PHB, the paladin's caster level is equal to 1/2 his paladin level (same for ranger), so at first level a Paladin has caster level 0, and at 2nd he has 1.

Only Fighter, Barbarian, and Rouge have 'no caster level' (can't make CL checks). Every other class can.

Kirin'Tor said:

Actually, according to the PHB, the paladin's caster level is equal to 1/2 his paladin level (same for ranger), so at first level a Paladin has caster level 0, and at 2nd he has 1.

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Ouch. Check your references.

"Through 3rd level, a paladin has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, her caster level is one-half her paladin level."

"Through 3rd level, a ranger has no caster level. At 4th level and higher, his caster level is one-half his ranger level."

-Hyp.

CyberSpyder said:

Not exactly. If level is the only thing wrong, they can make a caster level check.

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No, exactly. As everyone else has mentioned.

Note that, at CL 1, anyone who has a divine caster level at all will meet the requirement. Therefore, the only people who will not meet the requirement will not have a divine CL at all, and therefore cannot make a divine CL check to activate it.

EDIT:

I should add that there are cases wherein someone might suffer a CL penalty, and thus would need to make a CL check they might not have otherwise.

Kirin'Tor said:

Only Fighter, Barbarian, and Rouge have 'no caster level' (can't make CL checks). Every other class can.

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And Monks.