question about scrolls

[DizzyKungFu]

It seems that spell-completion items, like scrolls, are mostly handled like casting a spell. The DMG says that reading a scroll provokes an Attack of Opportunity. Does this mean that reading from a scroll can be disrupted by damage taken from an attack? Can the caster make a Concentration check, just like trying to continue casting a normal spell after taking damage? If so, what is the DC, and is the scroll wasted/used up if the spell is disrupted? Also, if this is the case, can scrolls be cast defensively?

I'm looking for answers that quote from relevant rules, sage advice, etc. Please don't post "In my campaign, I run it like..." or "I think it makes sense if...", as I'm really trying to figure out the most correct and official answer I can. Thanks!

 

[Dr. Zoom]

DMG, page 203: Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be.

 

[DizzyKungFu]

OK. Now, does that mean a scroll can be cast defensively? Is the scroll used up if the spell is sucessfully disrupted?

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Yes and yes.

Check PH, page 126, column one, Spell Completion Items.

 

[Zhure]

Tangent: The Sage says a scroll doesn't suffer from Arcane Spell Failure, but methinks he's pulling that out of his tushy.

Greg

 

[smetzger]

Tangent: The Sage says a scroll doesn't suffer from Arcane Spell Failure, but methinks he's pulling that out of his tushy.

I agree, I couldn't believe that ruling when I read the new FAQ.

 

[kreynolds]

Tangent: The Sage says a scroll doesn't suffer from Arcane Spell Failure, but methinks he's pulling that out of his tushy.

Scrolls are just spell-trigger activation magic items, so they're a lot easier to use than actually casting a spell. Makes sense to me.

Do you do jumping jacks when you read a scroll? No. So the armor check penalty isn't necessary.

 

[Li Shenron]

From DMG, casting a spell from a scroll is disruptible as casting it normally (and Concentration DC if you are hit is the same); in the same way, you can cast defensively.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Scrolls are just spell-trigger activation magic items, so they're a lot easier to use than actually casting a spell. Makes sense to me.

Do you do jumping jacks when you read a scroll? No. So the armor check penalty isn't necessary.

Scrolls are spell-completion items, which is differant. The DMG says you don't need material components or a focus. The question is, do you need to perform the somatic component of a spell if it requires one when activating the scroll. If you do, then I would think the armor check penalty applies. If you do not, then the armor check penalty would not apply. The sage seems to think the latter.

 

[kreynolds]

Scrolls are spell-completion items...

Damn. I know. I just screwed up and made a typo. DOH!

The DMG says you don't need material components or a focus. The question is, do you need to perform the somatic component of a spell if it requires one when activating the scroll. If you do, then I would think the armor check penalty applies. If you do not, then the armor check penalty would not apply. The sage seems to think the latter.

You read the scroll and that's it. See quote below:

Activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll. The character must be able to see and read the writing on the scroll.