D&D 3.x PHB3.5 UMD example question

[Sil]

[font=&quot]On page 86, Under the "Emulate a class feature" there is an example of Lidda using a magic chalice.

If Lidda wanted to use it again the next round, what would she have to do? Why?

Thank you for your thoughtful response.[/font]

 

[Viashimo]

There are at least two ways to look at this question.

1. She would not have to take the UMD check again, because she already figured out how to work the device.

or

2. She would have to take the UMD check again, because she cannot easily channel the energies of the 'turn undead' ability readily, and has to work at trying to get the chalice to work and channel that energy through the chalice each time she uses it.

Those are the two ways I see it.

 

[Sil]

1. She would not have to take the UMD check again, because she already figured out how to work the device.

Can you point me to where that is found in the rules? I thought each activation would require a UMD?

2. She would have to take the UMD check again, because she cannot easily channel the energies of the 'turn undead' ability readily, and has to work at trying to get the chalice to work and channel that energy through the chalice each time she uses it.

This begs the question, what level cleric for the check? Since would this not mean 2 turn attempts in one day? Or does UMD not work like that?

 

[Thanee]

She has to use UMD again in the same way as last round to activate it again.

Lidda still is no cleric/paladin with turn undead and therefore still needs to emulate the class feature. One emulation only applies to one activation of the item.

The only time, when it's important, if you had previously succeeded on a UMD check with a given item, is when blindly activating an item, you have no command word for, because you get a bonus (+2 IIRC) to any subsequent rolls, once you make one.

Bye
Thanee

 

[ThirdWizard]

If the chalace had an ongoing effect then she would not have to make another check. Maybe while holding it she gets a bonus to will saves or something. So, after activating it, she doesn't have to keep checking. However, if it has an effect that must be activated, for example it can cast cure minor wounds, she has to use UMD every time it is activated.

So if you activate it, you don't have to activate it again until its done doing whatever its doing. After its done doing what it's doing, you have to use the skill again.

 

[Sil]

In the example cited, Lidda finds a challice that turns water into holy water when a cleric or experienced palidin channels positive energy into it as if turning undead.

For the purpose of my question assume the chalice consumes the turn attempt. So the holy water creation is limited by turn attempts.

Lidda uses the "Emulate class feature" part of UMD. On her first attempt she only needs to emulate a first level cleric, so she needs a DC 21 (level is UMCD-20).

If she activates again does she need to emulate a higher level cleric, to get more turn attempts? Why or why not?

Thank you for your patience. There are more details on the PHB, which you are invited to consider. I can post any sections you would like for referance.

 

[Thanee]

No, she only needs to emulate a 1st level cleric, and she can do so unlimited times per day, basically. She does not really spend any turn attempts, so there is no daily limit for her.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Sil]

I forgot to thank you all for your response.

The example states "channels positive energy." So I assumed she spent the turn attempt "energy" in the emulation.

If so then while clerics and paladins are limited in the amout of uses, a umd user is not? Does not seem right.

Again i thank you all. And all thoes who are yet to respond.

 

[Sil]

bump

 

[Viashimo]

Can you point me to where that is found in the rules? I thought each activation would require a UMD?

It's just a possible interpretation I thought of when reading the rules, nothing specific. Just one way of doing it. The mentality is that: I've figured out how this thing works, and got it to work once, thus I can do it again with less problems.

Just a way of thinking about things, that's all.