D&D 5E Public Opinion: Use an Object with Magic Items

[Sigma77]

Scenario One: Level Three Rogue has a Wand of Magic Missiles. Does his Bonus Action let him use the Wand to do an attack?

Scenario Two: Same as the first, but the spell in the Wand requires an attack roll this time.

Scenario Three: Same as the first, but with Alchemist's Fire - would you let him throw it, considering that "Using the Object", or no?

Was wondering what you guys, as DMs, would rule in these particular cases. My immediate thought: If it involves creating some kind of attack, I want to say no. I see it as an ability intended to work with the environment, not necessarily combat.

 

[the Jester]

I would generally rule that using a magic item or making an attack are both out of the question with 'interact with the environment' bonus actions.

 

[Remathilis]

Scenario One: Level Three Rogue has a Wand of Magic Missiles. Does his Bonus Action let him use the Wand to do an attack?

Scenario Two: Same as the first, but the spell in the Wand requires an attack roll this time.

Scenario Three: Same as the first, but with Alchemist's Fire - would you let him throw it, considering that "Using the Object", or no?

Was wondering what you guys, as DMs, would rule in these particular cases. My immediate thought: If it involves creating some kind of attack, I want to say no. I see it as an ability intended to work with the environment, not necessarily combat.

I might be willing to accept some passive uses of UaO (such as drinking a potion or using a ring to turn invisible) but anything that is an attack (such as using the wand or throwing an object) is an Attack.

 

[Nagol]

Scenario One: Level Three Rogue has a Wand of Magic Missiles. Does his Bonus Action let him use the Wand to do an attack?

Scenario Two: Same as the first, but the spell in the Wand requires an attack roll this time.

Scenario Three: Same as the first, but with Alchemist's Fire - would you let him throw it, considering that "Using the Object", or no?

Was wondering what you guys, as DMs, would rule in these particular cases. My immediate thought: If it involves creating some kind of attack, I want to say no. I see it as an ability intended to work with the environment, not necessarily combat.

Fast Hands (assuming that's what we're discussing, the Thief gets a lot of different bonus action types) lets you "Use an Object"

'Use an Object' is listed as being incidental use associated with other actions like opening a door as you move forward or drawing a weapon as part of an attack.

It can't be issue an attack on its own. So no to all.

 

[Agamon]

I might be willing to accept some passive uses of UaO (such as drinking a potion or using a ring to turn invisible) but anything that is an attack (such as using the wand or throwing an object) is an Attack.

Exactly. An attack is an attack. Use an Object starts off by saying that you normally interact with objects when doing another action, that's not what this UaO is for. Scrolls use Cast a Spell actions, as are Wands and Staves. Weapons use Attack. Drinking a potion, though, would use Use an Object though, so I'd allow it.

 

[Rod Staffwand]

Exactly. An attack is an attack. Use an Object starts off by saying that you normally interact with objects when doing another action, that's not what this UaO is for. Scrolls use Cast a Spell actions, as are Wands and Staves. Weapons use Attack. Drinking a potion, though, would use Use an Object though, so I'd allow it.

I concur.

Though there will undoubtedly be a magic item with an ability that requires an action to activate that isn't quite a spell and isn't quite an attack, either official or homebrewed. Sort of like using a standard action in 3.5 to light up your fire weapon. I hope the full magic item chapter will clarify the situation preemptively.

 

[Thaumaturge]

And, for those wondering, [MENTION=697]mearls[/MENTION] has commented on the matter (a couple of days ago on twitter):

@Hadan_Ashcroft nope - use an object does not refer to magic items. i made an earlier tweet that was in error. magic items are separate.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I would not let a rogue use Cunning Action + Fast Hand use a magic items, equipment or drink potions, only use object in its environement like levers, doors trap etc...

 

[Psikerlord#]

Scenario One: Level Three Rogue has a Wand of Magic Missiles. Does his Bonus Action let him use the Wand to do an attack?

Scenario Two: Same as the first, but the spell in the Wand requires an attack roll this time.

Scenario Three: Same as the first, but with Alchemist's Fire - would you let him throw it, considering that "Using the Object", or no?

Was wondering what you guys, as DMs, would rule in these particular cases. My immediate thought: If it involves creating some kind of attack, I want to say no. I see it as an ability intended to work with the environment, not necessarily combat.

according to the basic rules, yes you can do all three with fast hands, and yes it is very broken indeed. basically action surge every round. imo the devs tried to simplify combining using an object in the environment, and using an object generally, and the result is broken when combined with fast hands. mearls has tweeted it doesnt work with magic items, inc potions, but unless basic is missing a "use magic item" action, he is wrong.imo the best fix is fast hands errata, stating it can use an object in the environment - Like the last playtest, before they broke it by accident.

 

[GX.Sigma]

I agree with Mearls's statement. Using a scroll isn't the "use an object" action that appears in the combat rules; it's its own rule. It's a rule that says "as an action, you can read the scroll and cast the spell."

I wonder why they chose to have it refer to the Use an Object action, when they could have just said "you can use an object other than a magic item."