D&D 5E Can Non-classed NPCs and Monsters Use Spell Scrolls?

[CapnZapp]

From the 5e SRD:

A spell scroll bears the words of a single spell, written in a mystical cipher. If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible.
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But what about characters without a class? Does a creature that counts as a member of a spellcasting class for the purpose of attunement to a magic item also count as a member of that class for the purpose of casting a spell from a spell scroll?

Well, there are no "characters without a class".

Only monsters (and animals and NPCs) have no class.

And the rules doesn't care much for them and their balance, since it's all up to you, the DM - if a monster using a scroll makes sense in your story, then go ahead. If there's a problem, then don't.

You can even have some monsters use scrolls while others can't.

The rules doesn't try to simulate monster behavior either way.

Sent from my C6603 using EN World mobile app

 

[jaelis]

I agree this is up to the DM.

But me, I probably wouldn't let a generic NPC/monster use a scroll in general. I want it to have some kind of relevant spell casting ability, or else something that warrants giving it a special ability to. Like your sage NPC, I'd be OK saying he just has the ability to use (some) scrolls because he is a sage. The tavern bartender, no so much.

 

[Nailen]

What if the dwarf, while not a member of any of these classes because not built with the rules for PCs, had spell slots and used one of these classes' spell lists? Would that satisfy the requirement that the spell be on the list of the dwarf's class, or would that also rely on DM fiat?

Yes, I think that satisfies it.

 

[Caliban]

Okay, assuming the dwarven sage isn't also a bard, sorcerer, or wizard, then it seems from the given text that casting knock from a spell scroll would depend entirely on DM fiat. I have no problem with that, but my question was more specific. What if the dwarf, while not a member of any of these classes because not built with the rules for PCs, had spell slots and used one of these classes' spell lists? Would that satisfy the requirement that the spell be on the list of the dwarf's class, or would that also rely on DM fiat?

It's an NPC, it's all DM fiat.

But if the NPC has spell slots and spells on that spell list, then it would be able to use the scroll. All that's required for a spell scroll is that the spell be on your spell list. (It's having the spell slots and spell list that would be DM fiat. )

 

[Hriston]

Well, there are no "characters without a class".

Only monsters (and animals and NPCs) have no class.

Oh, and what do you think the "C" in NPC stands for then?

Actually, I just found the changed text I've been talking about. It's a sentence added to the Monster Manual (not the DMG) in its section on monsters with the spellcasting trait that says, “The monster is considered a member of that class when attuning to or using a magic item that requires membership in the class or access to its spell list.” So that should cover spell scrolls too.

Oddly, if the same logic was applied to PCs, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights could be considered wizards for the purpose of attunement to magic items and using spell scrolls. Although I think I would be inclined to allow such characters to use the items in question, I don't think it's technically allowed under the current wording of the rules for the simple reason that Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights are not wizards, and the wizard spell list is not their class's spell list.

 

[cbwjm]

Oh, and what do you think the "C" in NPC stands for then?

Actually, I just found the changed text I've been talking about. It's a sentence added to the Monster Manual (not the DMG) in its section on monsters with the spellcasting trait that says, “The monster is considered a member of that class when attuning to or using a magic item that requires membership in the class or access to its spell list.” So that should cover spell scrolls too.

Oddly, if the same logic was applied to PCs, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights could be considered wizards for the purpose of attunement to magic items and using spell scrolls. Although I think I would be inclined to allow such characters to use the items in question, I don't think it's technically allowed under the current wording of the rules for the simple reason that Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights are not wizards, and the wizard spell list is not their class's spell list.

Well that makes things clear for NPCs. I'm not even sure if I've read that part, the way I read rule books is rarely cover to cover.

On a side note, I allow all Eldritch Knights and Arcane Tricksters to use spell scrolls that appear on the wizard spell list up to level 4. This is any spell of those levels since they are able to select what is essentially a single spell/spell level to be outside the two schools of magic that they are generally able to choose from so essentially any wizard spell from 0-4th level is on their spell list.

 

[CapnZapp]

Oh, and what do you think the "C" in NPC stands for then?

Actually, I just found the changed text I've been talking about. It's a sentence added to the Monster Manual (not the DMG) in its section on monsters with the spellcasting trait that says, “The monster is considered a member of that class when attuning to or using a magic item that requires membership in the class or access to its spell list.” So that should cover spell scrolls too.

Oddly, if the same logic was applied to PCs, Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights could be considered wizards for the purpose of attunement to magic items and using spell scrolls. Although I think I would be inclined to allow such characters to use the items in question, I don't think it's technically allowed under the current wording of the rules for the simple reason that Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights are not wizards, and the wizard spell list is not their class's spell list.

I guess I should just add that I do allow a monster capable of casting, say, Fireball, to operate wands and scrolls of Fireball.

I am speaking more generally; don't fall for the trap that is applying PC rules to monsters (and NPCs are monsters).

 

[Tormyr]

I forget where I read it (probably a Sage Advice somewhere), but I seem to remember someone explaining that the intent was that if an NPC has an item or weapon in their stat block, then they are usually proficient with it. So if an NPC has a scroll, they can use the scroll.

Monsters and NPCs follow different rules than PCs.

 

[steeldragons]

I would say, Non-classed NPC? No.

Monsters capable of using magic of that type? Yes. A creature with the intelligence and/or innate spell ability to cast wizard spells could use a scroll with a wizard spell on it, mystical creatures with cleric spells could conceivably use a ccleric scroll, and so forth.

The key, to me, in the text your quoted is "...a magical cypher..." If you do not have the training or know-how or -in the case of several D&D creatures- innate affinity or ability with magic, then it seems unreasonable to expect the NPC (person or monster) to be able to "break/translate" that magical code to get the "formula" correct (i.e. resulting in the proper spell effect).