Necklace of fireballs on the tip of a arrow

[frankthedm]

It highlights the instability of the item, it doesn't limit the unplanned explosion to only when worn or carried.

I have to disagree espcially considering the character has to fail their save against magical fire to trigger the necklace needing to save. Hell, the save is the only requirement, even if the Character took no damage after the failed save, the failed save is still what may detonate the neclace.

The only other way I think it can be read, if your argument holds up

if the necklace fails to save, all its remaining spheres detonate simultaneously, often with regrettable consequences for the wearer.

means any failed save by the necklace detonates it. Not just fire, but anything that can force an item to make a save.

But I think it is faily clear it is exclusive to it being worn. Wotc saw the decades of abuse attempts those items endure. If they intended the item to be explosive when not worn, I am fairly confident they would have called that out in the text.

There are reasons why the Helm of Brillance only "takes its true form and manifests its powers when the user dons it and speaks the command word."

 

[Caliban]

I have to disagree espcially considering the character has to fail their save against magical fire to trigger the necklace needing to save. Hell, the save is the only requirement, even if the Character took no damage after the failed save, the failed save is still what may detonate the neclace.

I don't see how that affects my reading of it one way or the other.