D&D 5E (2014) My cleric can use a wand of lightning bolts?

[Uller]

I noticed that the only requirement on most wands is "spellcaster" (and some, such as Wand of Magic Missiles have no requirement). So any spellcaster can use any wand that requires "spellcaster" and anyone can use a Wand of Magic Missiles? Or did I miss something.

 

[Sadrik]

From memory, it says that spells in magic items need to be on your spell list. I may be wrong but I know the rule is in the section before the magic items under spells in items section...

 

[BrockBallingdark]

I noticed that the only requirement on most wands is "spellcaster" (and some, such as Wand of Magic Missiles have no requirement). So any spellcaster can use any wand that requires "spellcaster" and anyone can use a Wand of Magic Missiles? Or did I miss something.

From memory, it says that spells in magic items need to be on your spell list. I may be wrong but I know the rule is in the section before the magic items under spells in items section...

DMG pg. 135 & 136- For attunement it says if the class is a spell casting class, a monster qualifies if that monster has spell slots and uses that class's spell list.

 

[Kobold Stew]

You did not miss something -- as long as the spell caster (which will include some third-level fighters!) is attended to the wand, it will work.

 

[AmerginLiath]

Of course, a Tempest Cleric will already be hurling lightning spells, so a wand of lightning bolts doesn't seem like it should be outright "no clerics allowed."

We keep defaulting to the old the arcane/divine divide. Unless I'm wrong, that divide ONLY appears in 5e in that one sidebar in the PHB magic chapter talking about the Weave (a.k.a giving a mechanics-derived fluff explanation, based in previous editions' history, for D&D magic). Otherwise, classes that use magic in D&D 5e use "Spellcasting" – they have separate lists of spells known per their different means of learning/preparing spells by class (and thus their method of learning magic), but share spell slots even when multiclassed. The only distinction in the Pact Magic of Warlocks, which is specifically a cheat given by eternal powers (compare it to clerics and the gods like comparing teachers tutoring a student before the big test versus one sneaking the answer key to the same student when no one's looking...)

Within the mechanics, needing wands or such to require Spellcasting or to have the specific spell(s) on the user's [class] spell list is a reasonable limit now that you can't hardwire the same "this is divine" and "this is arcane" in quite the same fashion. For more common spells that are present on more lists, you will see more crossover, but that's also a benefit for choosing a specific subclass (e.g. the Tempest Cleric of whom I spoke above, plus his Light Cleric pal, gets to use more of the good combat wands than traditionally expected); those certain cases are not indicative that every character everywhere will be running around looking like a tongue dispenser case.

 

[Eric V]

DMG pg. 135 & 136- For attunement it says if the class is a spell casting class, a monster qualifies if that monster has spell slots and uses that class's spell list.

Could an Arcane Trickster use it?

 

[Zardnaar]

Could an Arcane Trickster use it?

I would rule no but yes for the Eldritch Knight.

 

[Eric V]

Even though they can pick up lightning bolt at certain levels?

 

[BrockBallingdark]

Could an Arcane Trickster use it?

I would say YES, as the PHB Pg. 98 states an Arcane Trickster can start spell casting at 3rd level (Wizard spell list). At 17th level they get Spell Thief, so I see no problem with them using any Attuned magic item for any spell caster class.

AmerginLiath- I totally get your post. I would leave it up to the DM, if they want any spell caster to use a spell-caster Attunement item, go on and do it. The Attunement rule in the DMG specially is stating that if the class requirement is a spell casting class, the person qualifies if he uses spell slots and uses that class's spell list.

The Wand of Fireballs for example. It requires attunement by a spell caster class. A cleric wouldn't be able to use it as they don't cast Fireball, it's not on their spell list. If a DM thinks any spell caster should be able to use the wand, it's their world, let it be so.

I like the rules as they are, I think they are in place for balance reasons. But since in my realm, players aren't going to be buying magic items, hence magic items mean something, I may just go with any Spellcasting class.

 

[Uller]

The Wand of Fireballs for example. It requires attunement by a spell caster class. A cleric wouldn't be able to use it as they don't cast Fireball, it's not on their spell list. If a DM thinks any spell caster should be able to use the wand, it's their world, let it be so.

I think that is where we are with this. In a one off adventure (in a totally random dungeon with randomized treasure) we ran yesterday, I ran a Cleric of Light as an NPC just to augment the party with some artillery and healing (Burning Hands, Faerie Fire, Scorching Ray, Fire Ball and Radiance of the Dawn all used to great effect over the course of the evening...things like "Do you want me to heal you a little or fireball the dragon? You have death ward on you, so..." were said at the table, which is fun). But when we found a wand of lightning bolts and discussed whether or not the NPC cleric could use it, it just didn't seem right to allow it. So we went with you have to be a spellcaster AND have it in your spell list.

I don't think I'd allow Spell Thief to come into play at least until the Arcane Trickster at least actually had attained 17th level...then maybe (I do like the idea of rogues being able circumvent requirements on magic items)