Activating a scroll

[Eltern]

How long does it take to activate a scroll? I can't seem to find it anywhere in the DMG, so am I to assume that it's the casting time of the spell? Ie. Scroll of Summon Monster II is a full-round, Scroll of Fireball is a standard action, and Scroll of Feather Fall is an immediate action

Thanks!

 

[mikebr99]

How long does it take to activate a scroll? I can't seem to find it anywhere in the DMG, so am I to assume that it's the casting time of the spell? Ie. Scroll of Summon Monster II is a full-round, Scroll of Fireball is a standard action, and Scroll of Feather Fall is an immediate action

Thanks!

Spell Completion: This is the activation method for scrolls. A scroll is a spell that is mostly finished. The preparation is done for the caster, so no preparation time is needed beforehand as with normal spellcasting. All that’s left to do is perform the finishing parts of the spellcasting (the final gestures, words, and so on). To use a spell completion item safely, a character must be of high enough level in the right class to cast the spell already. If he can’t already cast the spell, there’s a chance he’ll make a mistake. Activating a spell completion item is a standard action and provokes attacks of opportunity exactly as
casting a spell does.

Mike

 

[Eltern]

Aha, so scrolls of spells with swift or immediate casting times are useless, while those of full-round actions are actually kinda neat.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

According to the FAQ, it takes as long to activate a scroll as it would to cast the spell.

 

[Shadeus]

Let me second that. Here's the relavent counter-text in the SRD:

Determine Effect: A spell successfully activated from a scroll works exactly like a spell prepared and cast the normal way. Assume the scroll spell’s caster level is always the minimum level required to cast the spell for the character who scribed the scroll (usually twice the spell’s level, minus 1), unless the caster specifically desires otherwise.

Emphasis mine. This way you can't create a scroll of identify and have it go off as a standard action, although Mike's quote would suggest otherwise.

 

[irdeggman]

Right - but regardless as to whether it is an immediate (or even swift) spell - it still provokes an AoO since it is "activating a scroll" and that action in and of itself provokes an AoO - even if the swift spell doesn't.

 

[Eltern]

Now the question is, other than gloves of storing, how many ways can you store a scroll and still have it ready as a free action? A scroll of feather fall isn't too useful if you have to search through your pack trying to find it.

 

[frankthedm]

Now the question is, other than gloves of storing, how many ways can you store a scroll and still have it ready as a free action? A scroll of feather fall isn't too useful if you have to search through your pack trying to find it.

A scroll of feather fall is not supposed to be usefull

You go splat as you are getting the scroll out or activating it unless you are really high up and have real good timing.

 

[Murrdox]

Except that activating a scroll is always at least a Standard Action, which trumps the spell casting time.

So you can't have Quickened Scrolls. (technically you could WRITE a quickened scroll, but it would still take a Standard Action to activate it).

 

[Scharlata]

According to the FAQ, it takes as long to activate a scroll as it would to cast the spell.

Hi!

It REALLY should be that way, even if the same rule book contradicts itself.

Just MHO.

Kind regards