Feat: Knack for Magic

[candidus_cogitens]

KNACK FOR MAGIC [General]
You have the ability to figure out how to use arcane magical items that you would not otherwise be able to use.
Prerequisite: Charisma 13+
Benefit: You can use arcane magic items, as though you were a spellcaster with the appropriate spell on your spell list. Your charisma score must be high enough that you would be able to cast the operative spell. This feat does not automatically enable you to read arcane magical writing.

Comments . . . criticisms?

 

[Hollywood]

KNACK FOR MAGIC [General]
You have the ability to figure out how to use arcane magical items that you would not otherwise be able to use.
Prerequisite: Charisma 13+
Benefit: You can use arcane magic items, as though you were a spellcaster with the appropriate spell on your spell list. Your charisma score must be high enough that you would be able to cast the operative spell. This feat does not automatically enable you to read arcane magical writing.

Comments . . . criticisms?

Interesting, but perhaps use the built-in mechanic already. Have the feat give the character the ability to use the exclusive skill Use Magic Device with maybe say a +2 bonus. That way Rogues can also benefit from it.

 

[Ace]

Seems OK to me on first glance.

The only problem I see is that it cuts into the Rogues use magucal device skill a bit but this isn't a critical issue IMO

 

[Mort]

I like the concept, but the skill seems a bit broad.

What about requiring a different feat for each school of magic?

So Knack for Magic (Transmutation) allows the person to use wands of magic missle, polymorph self, etc but not any other type.

Also, as others have stated, watch to make sure the feat doesn't step too much on the rogue's toes or make use magic device useless.

 

[Mort]

Double post

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Seems OK to me on first glance.

The only problem I see is that it cuts into the Rogues use magucal device skill a bit but this isn't a critical issue IMO

You're right, of course, that it takes away a bit from Rogues' and Bards' exclusive claim to Use Magic Device. On the other hand, it is restricted by the prerequisite, and it still requires you to be able to read magic if you want to use scrolls. Also, this is limited by your charisma score, whereas Use Magic Device would allow you to use a device of any level, in theory.

The only reason I wanted to make a new feat rather than just using UMD was to create a more simple way to do the same thing, sacrificing power for reliability.

One problem might be that if your character has a really high charisma (a paladin for example), then you're not really sacrificing power at all, because you could use arcane scrolls of any level without fail. So, in those cases, it would be a super-powerful feat.