[Challenge] Use Magic Device silliness

[Nareau]

Sorry if this has been done before, but I've been brainstorming some ideas about how to abuse the Use Magic Device skill. I'm not suggesting these things would be allowed by any DM in his right mind...this is purely for munchkinny fun.
Specifically, I'm thinking about the fact that a rogue could buy an item that gives him +20 to UMD for a mere 8000gp (or have his spellcasting friend make him one for half that). The best one I've come up with so far:
10th level rogue, 14 Cha, 13 ranks of UMD, +20 UMD from item = +35 to checks.
Amulet of Undead Turning: This holy item allows a cleric or paladin to turn undead as if she were four levels higher than her actual class level. (11,000 gp)
Let's say he rolls a 10 on his checks:
Emulate Class Feature (Cleric, Turn Undead): 45-20=25th level cleric.
Emulate Ability Score (Charisma; this is a little sketchier): 45-15=30
He'll be able to make 4 turn checks as though he were 29th level, doing 2d6+15 HD damage. At a minimum, he'll be turning like a 16th level cleric doing 2d6+2 HD damage.
If he has some time to prepare, he can just keep re-emulating these features until he rolls something better than a 10 (since he can't even fail on a 1).
So, any other thoughts? I'm looking for core-rule-based ideas on how this unique ability can be abused at mid-low levels.

Spider

 

[Zhure]

The problem (feature? bug?) here is the +20 to UMD. It's a non-standard item. Non-standard items often lead to problems. The rest of it is just a Rogue using his class abilities to his best.

Greg

 

[Pbartender]

Amulet of Undead Turning: This holy item allows a cleric or paladin to turn undead as if she were four levels higher than her actual class level. (11,000 gp)

Your example won't work for several reasons...

Emulate Class Feature (Cleric, Turn Undead): 45-20=25th level cleric.

Emulating a class feature only allows you to activate the Magic Item that requires the class feature, it does not give you the class feature.

So, a rogue emulating the Turning class feature to activate Amulet of Undead Turning does him no good , since he can't turn undead to begin with.

Emulate Ability Score (Charisma; this is a little sketchier): 45-15=30

Again, this skill can only emulates ability scores with regards to activating Magic Items that require a minimum ability score... Scrolls for example. Besides, emulating your charisma in this fashion has nothing to do with using a Magic Item, only with enhancing a non-existant class feature.

Might this thread be better suited to the Rules forum?

 

[drnuncheon]

Sorry if this has been done before, but I've been brainstorming some ideas about how to abuse the Use Magic Device skill. I'm not suggesting these things would be allowed by any DM in his right mind...this is purely for munchkinny fun.

Well, I've got a Ftr4/Rog10 who uses UMD to be able to activate his bow of true strike (from Sword & Fist)...

J

 

[Pielorinho]

I think PBartender has the right of it, fortunately. From the SRD:

Emulate Class Feature: Sometimes the character needs to use a class feature to activate a magic item. The character's effective level in the emulated class equals the character's result minus 20.

This skill does not let the character use the class feature of another class. It just lets the character activate magic items as if the character had the class feature.

I'm sure, however, there are other munchkinny uses for this skill.

Daniel

 

[drnuncheon]

I think PBartender has the right of it, fortunately.

Right, since the amulet doesn't actually give you the ability to turn, it just gives you a bonus to your ability. Same as an amulet of health won't do anything for a construct or an undead, since they have no Con to enhance.

J

 

[Storminator]

That's nothing. The rogue/bard/thief acrobat/keeper of songs/enchanted template PC in our near-epic game has a Black Robe of the Archmage, a Monk Belt, and we're looking for a Holy Avenger for her. She always has teleport scrolls in case the wizard has an off day and she's got a dozen wands and staffs.

If fact, we call the skill Abuse Magic Device.

PS

 

[Nareau]

Right, since the amulet doesn't actually give you the ability to turn, it just gives you a bonus to your ability.

Except that the item specifically says that it allows you to turn undead:

This holy item allows a cleric or paladin to turn undead as if she were four levels higher than her actual class level.

The other thought I had was getting the rogue to Emulate Race (Horse) in order to use Horseshoes of Speed. Unfortunately, most rogues don't have hooves to attach them to...

 

[Zappo]

Re: Re: [Challenge] Use Magic Device silliness

Well, I've got a Ftr4/Rog10 who uses UMD to be able to activate his bow of true strike (from Sword & Fist)...

That sounds like a fairly legit use for the skill.

 

[IceBear]

Except that the item specifically says that it allows you to turn undead:

This holy item allows a cleric or paladin to turn undead as if she were four levels higher than her actual class level.

I don't read that as giving you the ability to turn undead. It states that it allows a cleric or paladin to turn undead as if she were 4 levels higher. It doesn't state, this item gives you the ability to turn undead.

IceBear