Magic Item Daily Attack Question

[AbdulAlhazred]

I thought that this was made unambiguous on PHB225:


The whole bit about the Implement and Weapon keywords is about when to apply the enhancement bonus to powers granted from another source, usually one's class, paragon path, etc.

I disagree. These keywords tell you when the attack IS delivered through the item. Unless a power has an accessory keyword the power isn't being delivered through the item and thus PHB p225 simply tells you what to do when the appropriate keyword is present. In the case of the OP's question by RAW the power isn't delivered through the weapon because it isn't a weapon keyword power. The power is GRANTED by the weapon, but that's a different thing.

In fact there is actually no rule which says that a power granted by an item has to be delivered via that item at all. That may have been the designer's intent but by RAW if I have a +1 Wand of Fiery Bolt and a +6 Magic Wand no rule prevents me from using the Fiery Bolt power of the +1 wand and delivering it via the +6 wand for a +6 enhancement bonus. All I need to do is use both wands.

 

[Amaroq]

That interpretation - both paragraphs - require ignoring the paragraph I quoted from PHB 225, specifically the part which indicates that item attack powers are delivered directly from the weapon or implement .. as distinguished from a class power which is delivered through the weapon or implement you are using.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

That interpretation - both paragraphs - require ignoring the paragraph I quoted from PHB 225, specifically the part which indicates that item attack powers are delivered directly from the weapon or implement .. as distinguished from a class power which is delivered through the weapon or implement you are using.

Well, I've argued both sides of this little gem at different times for the sake of clarity and in the final analysis there are simply a couple of cases where the entire rest of the system takes no cognizance of a piece of text. Clearly Bahamut's Weapon and the implement keyword present on all wand powers demonstrate that the designers of the game don't consider an enhancement bonus to be automatic for item powers.

This is very similar to the situation with the statement in AV that weapon properties only apply when the item is being used, it is simply clear that this statement is utterly ignored throughout the rest of the system and even when you point it out to CS they simply ignore it. CB ignores it, etc. Moreover everyone has to ignore it or assume some kind of unspoken general exception for properties that don't modify an attack (of which there are many for weapons).

In terms of the use of a power of one implement via another implement no rule in the game, even the one you're citing at PHB 225 ever states you have to use an item's power through that item and not another assuming it has the requisite keyword. Again I've argued a number of times this was probably the intent of the designers or at least they never considered the question but still it stands as RAW that you can use the power of one wand via another wand.

Its just one of those rare statements in the rules that are obviously not being considered operative. In a case like Mordant Weapon then the choice is to either go with what the entire rest of the system assumes to be the case or allow the enhancement bonus with the understanding that you shouldn't consider the rule to be in force in any other case.