Wizard using a Cleric-type wand?

[Lee's Fortune]

Noob question here.

How would a wizard go about using a Wand of Cure Light Wounds? It seems that anyone can use a wand of a particular spell, so long as they have knowledge of that spell. So is it possible for a wizard to use a wand with clerical spells stored in it?

 

[Nifft]

If the Wizard has ranks in Use Magic Device, he could try that. Otherwise, tough luck. Any spellcaster can use a wand of any spell, so long as that spell is on his spell-list. Bards & Rangers can use Wands of CLW (even at 1st level). Wizards can't.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Quidam]

Umd

Noob question here.

How would a wizard go about using a Wand of Cure Light Wounds? It seems that anyone can use a wand of a particular spell, so long as they have knowledge of that spell. So is it possible for a wizard to use a wand with clerical spells stored in it?

Activation: Wands use the spell trigger activation method

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. Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that 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.

Since a wizard doesn't have any cure spells on his list, he can't use a wand with a cure spell in it. However, you can use the Use Magic Device skill to do it:

Use a Wand: 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. This use of the skill also applies to other spell trigger magic items, such as staffs.

 

[Teydyn]

Bards & Rangers can use Wands of CLW (even at 1st level). Wizards can't.

I thought Rangers can use wands with CLW starting at lvl 4?
Before they cant cast spells and have no spell list?

 

[Ghostmoon]

I thought Rangers can use wands with CLW starting at lvl 4?
Before they cant cast spells and have no spell list?

It was not quoted above, but it is stated in the DMG (pg 213) and the SRD that lower-level rangers and paladin, despite not being able to cast spells, can use wands with spells on their spell list:

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. Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that 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.

Source: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicItemBasics.htm#spellTrigger

 

[nimisgod]

If a Wizard took the Arcane Disciple Feat and took Healing as his domain, he could then use a CLW, right?

 

[Nifft]

I thought Rangers can use wands with CLW starting at lvl 4?
Before they cant cast spells and have no spell list?

Rangers have no spellcaster level. They do have a spell list. Paladins too.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Nifft]

If a Wizard took the Arcane Disciple Feat and took Healing as his domain, he could then use a CLW, right?

Sure, or if he took Extra Spell (CLW).

-- N

 

[QuaziquestGM]

What one of my gms did to get around this problem is to make an "Idiot proof" general use wand of CLW, with inscribed instructions in several languages, "touch hurt thing and push button". You should make this 3x market price, only availible from a pacifist order. Or an artifacer.

 

[Nifft]

make an "Idiot proof" general use wand of CLW [...] 3x market price

Er... for 2x market price, you could get 50 potions of CLW.

-- N