Operating a control panel?

[Dwarmaj]

Say the party finds a control panel that operates a couple of doors and a couple of spell effects. What skills are needed to figure out how to use it? Open Locks, Disable Traps, or Use Magic Device come to mind. Should it be a combination of skills?

They don't have a rogue in the party (big mistake) so things may be difficult.

 

[Nifft]

Is it magical, mechanical, or a little of both?

Magic Control Panel: UMD + Disable Device (Int + Cha)

Mechanical: Search + Disable Device (only Int)

-- Nifft

 

[hong]

The point of having these puzzles in the game is to challenge the _players'_ puzzle-solving skills. If your players like these things, they'll probably want to figure it out themselves, rather than relying on dice. OTOH, if they don't like these things, then it's probably better not to have them in the first place.