Pumping UMD?

[Vargo]

I'm running a rogue who's been maxing out his UMD skill for some time now. The character is currently L13, and my guess is based on the way things have been going he'll be L18 or L19 when we hit the big baddie for the campaign. Any WotC splatbook is acceptable as a source...

The trick is, I'd like to read off a CL19 level scroll right before the combat with the Big Ugly - Giant Size. With a Cha of 11, there's no bonus, meaning I've got to make a DC39 UMD check with a bonus of +22 to +23, assuming no other changes are made. So, I'm trying to think of ways to bump that up a bit...

Cloak of Charisma: Won't happen. Saving throws are insanely important to me, and I've got a Cloak of Protection already.
Potion of Eagle's Splendor: Darn tootin'. That's a +4 Enhancement Bonus, giving me a +2 skill.
Skill Focus (UMD): Another +2, untyped.

Now, the idea of a custom item that boosts UMD might fly by the DM, but probably not - so are there any "official" UMD boosting items/spells out there that somebody could suggest?

 

[hong]

Skill Focus in 3.5 gives +3, not +2. Also, a luckstone gives +1 luck bonus to all skill checks.

 

[geosapient]

5 ranks in spellcraft gives a +2 synergy to UMD when dealing with scrolls. And I believe the Magical aptitude feat gives a +2 to spellcraft and UMD.

 

[Hedgemage]

Do you have your skill synergies maxed out? +2 for 5 ranks in Decipher Script and +2 for 5 ranks in Spellcraft for UMD on scrolls.

 

[griff_goodbeard]

Circlet of persuation =+3 to all chr based skills.

Wieldskill spell gives a +5 competance? bounus and is a first level spell.

 

[szilard]

A Circlet of Persuasion should give you a +3 competence bonus.

A Marshall with the appropriate minor aura (available at first level) can add his Charisma bonus to your roll.


-Stuart

 

[FireLance]

Go with the circlet of persuasion for a +3 competence bonus.

Get a 10th or higher level cleric to use imbue with spell ability to grant you divine insight (2nd-level divination, Complete Adventurer), or cast it into a minor ring of spell storing, for a +15 insight bonus to that skill check.

Net result: 21 (base for 18th level), +3 competence (circlet of persuasion), +15 insight (divine insight) = check bonus of +39.

Make sure that your relevant mental stat is high enough, or you'll have to make a separate Use Magic Device check to emulate ability score.

If you need further pumping, you can substitute a vest of resistance (Complete Arcane) for your cloak of resistance and get a +6 cloak of charisma.

A 20th-caster level wand of improvisation (1st-level bard spell, Spell Compendium), or the same spell cast into a minor ring of spell storing by a high-level bard, can also grant you a luck bonus of up to half caster level on up to 4 checks (see spell for details).

As mentioned, Skill Focus adds a further +3 and Magical Aptitude adds another +2.

Alternatively, you could consider picking up a couple of luck feats from Complete Scoundrel to re-roll your skill check.

 

[Amitiel]

Alternatively, you could consider picking up a couple of luck feats from Complete Scoundrel to re-roll your skill check.

Make Your Own Luck, lets you reroll skill checks but you need anouther luck feat first.
Either Lucky Fingers (reroll Disable Device, Open Lock, Sleight of hand) or Sly Fortune (reroll Hide, Move Silently, Tumble checks) are good for rogues.

If you can spare the feat Unbelievable Luck gives you 2 extra luck rerolls a day applied to any luck feat you have, and gives you +2luck bonus on your worst save as long as you have a luck reroll left.

 

[Darklone]

Has Heroism been mentioned already? Another cheap +2 to the skill check. Good Hope does the same.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Convince your DM to allow a Masterwork Tool. For a scroll, perhaps you could have a masterwork pair of glasses that allow slightly better sight (Kinda like a magnifying glass). The only benefit of the item would be providing a +2 bonus check to a skill. (See the PHB entry for Masterwork Tools).