Using Wands/Staves and Misty Step

[Eric V]

Hello,

Just wondering how some of you rule this: Misty Step is a bonus action to cast, so any other spell a caster casts must be a cantrip (barring Action Surge and the like).

Would you allow a spellcaster to cast Misty Step and then use a Wand of Lightning Bolts, for example?

Thank you,

Eric

 

[Dausuul]

By the book: This does not work. The wand specifically allows you to cast the spell, so you have to abide by all restrictions on spellcasting, which would include not having cast a bonus-action spell the same round.

How I personally would rule it: I think I would go by the book on this one. It isn't because I see a major balance concern here, but I don't want to spend a lot of time house-ruling which of the spellcasting rules do and do not apply to wand use. Casting a spell is casting a spell. All normal restrictions apply. Finis.

 

[neogod22]

By the book: This does not work. The wand specifically allows you to cast the spell, so you have to abide by all restrictions on spellcasting, which would include not having cast a bonus-action spell the same round.

How I personally would rule it: I think I would go by the book on this one. It isn't because I see a major balance concern here, but I don't want to spend a lot of time house-ruling which of the spellcasting rules do and do not apply to wand use. Casting a spell is casting a spell. All normal restrictions apply. Finis.

This is wrong. Using a magic item is it's own action, so casting a spell and using a magic item will allow you to technically cast 2 spells in the same round.

 

[neogod22]

I would even argue you can use spell like abilities and cast a spell since they don't require any components to cast.

 

[iserith]

By the book: This does not work. The wand specifically allows you to cast the spell, so you have to abide by all restrictions on spellcasting, which would include not having cast a bonus-action spell the same round.

How I personally would rule it: I think I would go by the book on this one. It isn't because I see a major balance concern here, but I don't want to spend a lot of time house-ruling which of the spellcasting rules do and do not apply to wand use. Casting a spell is casting a spell. All normal restrictions apply. Finis.

Right. The only thing I would add is that you should carefully read the description of the item. Sometimes you can get spell effects without it saying you cast a spell. So it's helpful to read the fine print.

 

[Dausuul]

This is wrong. Using a magic item is it's own action, so casting a spell and using a magic item will allow you to technically cast 2 spells in the same round.

From the spellcasting rules:

"A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus action this turn. You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action." (Emphasis added.)

You can't cast another non-cantrip spell, period. Doesn't matter how you're casting it or what kind of action it is.

From the wand of lightning bolts:

"This wand has 7 charges. While holding it, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast the lightning bolt spell (save DC 15) from it."

When you use the wand, you are casting a spell. It can be counterspelled, it is warded off by globe of invulnerability, etc. It isn't a concentration spell, but if it were, you'd have to concentrate on it. The one difference from regular spellcasting (as specifically laid out in the DMG) is that you don't need any components. However, the DMG offers no such exemption from the bonus-action spell rules.

 

[guachi]

While I do have house rules for game play reasons and house rules for setting reasons, I've gotten rid of a bunch based on the "I don't have time for that" rule.

I don't have time for fiddly little changes like this one.

 

[neogod22]

From the spellcasting rules:

"A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus action this turn. You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action." (Emphasis added.)

You can't cast another non-cantrip spell, period. Doesn't matter how you're casting it or what kind of action it is.

From the wand of lightning bolts:

"This wand has 7 charges. While holding it, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast the lightning bolt spell (save DC 15) from it."

When you use the wand, you are casting a spell. It can be counterspelled, it is warded off by globe of invulnerability, etc. It isn't a concentration spell, but if it were, you'd have to concentrate on it. The one difference from regular spellcasting (as specifically laid out in the DMG) is that you don't need any components. However, the DMG offers no such exemption from the bonus-action spell rules.

The action of using a magic item is not the same action as casting a spell. They are 2 distinct and different actions. The magic item is casting the spell NOT YOU. It's the same as using a potion. The potion is giving the spell effect, NOT YOU. You are not using any verbal, somatic, or material components when you use a magic item. Ultimately it comes down to what your DM thinks.

 

[Dausuul]

The magic item is casting the spell NOT YOU.

Then why do you have to concentrate on concentration spells cast from items?

 

[OB1]

Then why do you have to concentrate on concentration spells cast from items?

Because the spell requires concentration to maintain it.

The question is, if you cast the spell, why didn’t you have to expend a spell slot?

The way I rule is that you can’t spend more than one spell slot per turn (including using multiple slots for smites).