Dumb Question About A Wand of CLW

[Olaf the Stout]

Ok, really dumb and simple question about a Wand of Cure Light Wounds, what is the caster level of a normal 750gp wand? In other words, how much does 1 charge heal? I think that it's 1d8+5 but for some reason I'm doubting myself?

Thanks in advance,

Olaf the Stout

 

[Lorgrom]

It only heal 1d8+1 since the wand only has a caster level of 1.

 

[hanniball]

From the SRD:

Craft Wand [Item Creation]

The base price of a wand is its caster level × the spell level × 750 gp.

Therefore, as Lorgrom points out, a standard (750 gp) Wand of CLW is caster level 1.

 

[SteelDraco]

A charge from a 750gp Wand of Cure Light Wounds heals 1d8+1 hp.

It's a wand of a 1st level spell, with a caster level of 1. You could make a wand that healed 1d8+5, but it'd be dumb, since it would cost (750 x SL1 x CL5) = 3750 gp.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Ok, that makes sense from a cost perspective but where does it say what the caster level for a wand is? And since you have to be CL 5 to get the Craft Wand feat, wouldn't that make the minimum CL for any wand CL 5?

Olaf the Stout

 

[hanniball]

Ok, that makes sense from a cost perspective but where does it say what the caster level for a wand is?

See my above post for cost calculation, ergo, caster level.

And since you have to be CL 5 to get the Craft Wand feat, wouldn't that make the minimum CL for any wand CL 5?

Olaf the Stout

From the SRD:

You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.

Therefore, you can choose to cast the spell at a lower caster level when creating the item.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Thanks, the bit about lowering your caster level for wands was what I was looking for.

Thanks.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Li Shenron]

So basically the caster level which is a prerequisite of taking an Item Creation feat, does not become itself a minimum caster level for a specific item? Is that official?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I'd say that it's official, since all the items are priced that way.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So basically the caster level which is a prerequisite of taking an Item Creation feat, does not become itself a minimum caster level for a specific item? Is that official?

Apart from the pricing agreeing with it, there are entries for wands of Magic Missile with explicit caster levels of 1st and 3rd on the table, despite Craft Wand not being available until 5th.

A 5th level wizard can create caster level 1 wand; a 1st level wizard cannot.

Also consider the Brooch of Shielding:
Brooch of Shielding: This appears to be a piece of silver or gold jewelry used to fasten a cloak or cape. In addition to this mundane task, it can absorb magic missiles of the sort generated by spell or spell-like ability. A brooch can absorb up to 101 points of damage from magic missiles before it melts and becomes useless.

Faint abjuration; CL 1st; Craft Wondrous Item, shield; Price 1,500 gp.

If the average Brooch of Shielding found has a CL of 1, it must be possible to create it with a CL of 1, despite CWI not being available until 3rd...

-Hyp.