Question concerning wand usage

[Belares]

I am interested in knowing if it is set in stone about "using wands, rods, staves" if you cannot cast the required spell. Example I am a wizard and we find a wand of cure moderate wounds. According to the rules as we read it "All wands are merely spell storage devices for a single spell only. They use the "spell trigger activation" method. It is explained on page 175 of the DMG as "anyone with a spell on his/her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that spell". It goes on to say that even if the character cannot yet cast spells (ie. a 3rd level paladin) they can activate the wand. So with that said a wizard cannot use te wand and yet a rogue with a successful use magic device can...hmmmm...seems kind of strange.

 

[maddman75]

You are correct. To use a wand, the spell MUST appear on your spell list. So no, a wizard cannot use a wand of Cure Light Wounds.

As for the Rogue use magic device skill, that is basically a legacy from 1e/2e. Thieves had an ability to read scrolls, with a chance of mishap. This translated into the Use Magic Device skill in 3e.

 

[AuraSeer]

Anyone with the spell on his class list can use the wand. For Cure Moderate Wounds that includes clerics, bards, druids, and paladins (of any level). Wizards do not have the spell on their class list, and are therefore unable to use the device.

Rogues are special case, because of the Use Magic Device skill. They can "disguise" their thought processes and "fool" the wand into working when it shouldn't. This ability is based on intuition, luck, and mental slipperiness; power and knowledge are largely irrelevant, which is why wizards and sorcerers can't do it.

That's the in-game explanation, anyway. From a rules standpoint, the "on your spell list" limitation is just a simple and straightforward way to determine who can use a wand. If anyone has a better solution, I've yet to hear it.

As for the rules being "set in stone," well, nothing in the game is set in stone, except Rule 0. So if you can convince your DM to let you use the wand, then you can. Otherwise you're SOL. unless you multiclass to a class that has CMW on its spell list or Use Magic Device as an allowed skill.