Use Magic Device question

[Malin Genie]

What happens when a caster with the Use Magic Device skill attempts to use a scroll beyond her caster level, but does actually have some caster levels to start with?

For example, Griselda is a 5th level bard with a +12 Use Magic Device Modifier. She attempts to read an arcane scroll of Dimension Door at Caster Level 10. Normally that would give her a 25% failure chance.

Now, my understanding of what would happen if she used the UMD skill is:

If she rolled an 18 (+12 =30), she would emulate CL10, and the scroll would be able to be read successfully.

If she rolled a 16 (+12 =28), I assume that she would still get to read the scroll, but as she only emulates CL 8, she has a 10% chance of misreading.

If she rolls a 10 (+12 =22), she emulates CL2, but because her own actual caster level is higher, she still only has a 25% chance of misreading the scroll.

If she rolls a 1 (+12 =13), she fails by lots, but still only has a 25% chance of misreading because of her own caster level.

Is this correct?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

That's a good question.

I think the RAW would support an either / or choice - as in, you can try to read it using your "natural" ability, and thus your own spellcaster level, or you could try to "wing it" - using the more volatile UMD skill.

You would take the penalties and bonuses associated with each.

 

[cordell]

yeah, rules as written, there is no advantage to having actual caster levels.

It seems intuitive to me, however, than a Bard with UMD +12 and a Rogue with UMD +12 should be treated a little differently.

I suppose you could house-rule the UMD skill, to read something like "the amount that the roll exceeds 20 is added to the caster level of the user". A rogue, with a total score of 28 would still be treated the same, CL 8 (original caster level of 0, plus 8), but the Bard would be treated as CL 13 (original caster level of 5 plus 8).

At first glance, with this house rule, it now seems too easy for the Bard. But then again, the bard is only trying to cast a scroll a few levels higher than his own level.

YMMV

 

[Glyfair]

It seems intuitive to me, however, than a Bard with UMD +12 and a Rogue with UMD +12 should be treated a little differently.

I'm inclined, for simplicity's sake, to leave it as is. After all, the Bard does have an overall advantage - he has a chance to cast a scroll higher than his level without using Use Magic Device. He can just choose whichever chance is better.