Can an Artificer UMD a PrC?

[Fortain]

I've got a question that I'd like some input on whether or not this would work, and why. Let's say an Artificer (Art15, for example) wanted to make a wand of Magic Missile @ CL 1. No problem - he'll just roll up a UMD check, and if he meets/beats a DC of 21, it's his (we're leaving out time & cost ATM). Now, the same Artificer wants to make a wand of Magic Missile @ CL 9. Still not a problem; just has to hit a DC of 29.

Now, let's say that the Artificer wants to make a wand of Magic Missile @ CL 14, but with a twist. He read up on the Force Missile Mage PrC (Dragon Magazine #328), and wants to emulate the CL as Wiz9/FMM5. Can he do so, and if yes, would the DC be 34 (base 20 + 14), or higher? If it's a problem with him making a wand ("Wands only use minimum CL"), replace wand with scroll or staff, whichever works better. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Jack Simth]

I suspect a strict reading would have him emulating two classes - Wiz 9, and Force Missile Mage 5, for two rolls, a DC 29 and a DC 25.... but that's just crazy...

 

[Sejs]

Honestly, I probably wouldn't let it fly.


To put it another way, I'd let the Artificer emulate the caster level of the PrC, but I wouldn't let them emulate the PrC's class features, any more than I'd let you actually turn undead with a UMD check.

Essentially the only reason to emulate a PrC's caster level would be in an attempt to gain access to that PrC's class features. yes? For that you'd actually have to have levels in the PrC. If there was an item that required you to have X feature you could fool it into thinking that yeah, you totally have that feature, so it should work just fine. What you couldn't do is actually fake having that feature such that you can actually benefit from that feature. If you don't have it, you don't get to use it.

That all make sense?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I'm with Sejs on this one.

 

[nameless]

Honestly, I probably wouldn't let it fly.


To put it another way, I'd let the Artificer emulate the caster level of the PrC, but I wouldn't let them emulate the PrC's class features, any more than I'd let you actually turn undead with a UMD check.

Essentially the only reason to emulate a PrC's caster level would be in an attempt to gain access to that PrC's class features. yes? For that you'd actually have to have levels in the PrC. If there was an item that required you to have X feature you could fool it into thinking that yeah, you totally have that feature, so it should work just fine. What you couldn't do is actually fake having that feature such that you can actually benefit from that feature. If you don't have it, you don't get to use it.

That all make sense?

With that in mind, is it possible to emulate a Paladin 20, then use a holy avenger to get SR and lots of free greater dispel magics? The item is doing all that stuff, just dependent on the class level of the wielder.