Charges in staffs and wands

[Palskane]

How does one go about finding how many charges are in a staff or wand? I've read the Analyze Dweomer spell, and it doesn't say that it tells you how many charges such an item has. Is the DM the only one who knows? Is there a way to find out?

Thanks!

 

[gamecat]

I think the humble identify spell tells so. Don't hold me to this.

While we stand on the topic of staves and wands, look at the spell I dug up in an obscure corner (Mintiper's Chapbook) of Mages of the Beach's website:

The Hamagess' Staffsprout
Transmutation
Level: Brd 6, Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Target: One magical staff
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

You cause a branch to sprout from a magic staff and direct any one arcane spell of 4th level or less contained within the staff into the branch. Once the branch is broken off, it acts as a wand with one charge, capable of casting that one arcane spell with a caster level equal to that of the magic staff.

The staff must contain a number of charges equal to at least one plus the number of charges needed to cast the selected spell or the spell is wasted. Casting this spell drains the number of charges needed to cast the selected spell. If the branch is not broken off within ten minutes of the casting of this spell, it crumbles to dust, wasting both the spell and the charges expended to create the branch.
Material Component: A magical staff standing in at least an inch of water.

Cool, huh?

 

[kreynolds]

I think the humble identify spell tells so. Don't hold me to this.

I absolutely will hold you to this, because you're right.

 

[Palskane]

Well, gee, now I feel dumb.

Thanks!

But still, it seems weird that the Identify spell would give this information, but that the much more powerful Analyze says nothing to that effect. *shrugs*

And yes, that spell is pretty cool, gamecat.

 

[kreynolds]

Well, gee, now I feel dumb.

Thanks!

But still, it seems weird that the Identify spell would give this information, but that the much more powerful Analyze says nothing to that effect. *shrugs*

And yes, that spell is pretty cool, gamecat.

Determining how many charges are in a wand is simple and easy, thus Identify. However, if you have a +2 flaming speed sure striking vorpal longsword, Identify will only reveal a +2 longsword with +2 to damage and attack rolls. Analyze can reveal the other properties of the sword. It's pretty rare that a low-level spell will eventually be completely replaced by a high-level spell.

Fireball, for instance, is a nice spell with a decent damage cap. Delayed Blast Fireball, is a higher level spell with a higher damage cap, only it functions slightly different. Most low/high level spells that somewhat mimic each other have at least one or two slight differences, mostly to keep the spells "fresh".