Question: Wands and Spell Lists

[Clefton Twain]

Let's say a 1st-level Ranger obtains a wand of Cure Light Wounds and wants to use it. However, he's 1st level and has no caster level because he can't cast spells until 4th level.

Can he use the wand? CLW is in his spell list...he just doesn't have access to spells yet.

--CT

 

[Umbran]

IIRC, having access to spells isn't required. Having them in your spell list is sufficient.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

OTOH he has no caster level before he reach 4th level. He couldn't even try to use a scroll.

IMC I ruled that you can't use a wand until you become a spellcaster. Not that it ever become an issue, though.

 

[pontus]

From the D&D FAQ, page 21

Can a 1st-level paladin or ranger use a wand of cure light wounds? Or must the character have enough levels to actually be a spellcaster.

The requirement for using a spell trigger item (such as a wand) is having the spell stored in the item on your class spell list, not having the ability to cast the spell. (See page 175 in the DUNGEON MASTER’s Guide.) Since cure light wounds is on both the paladin and ranger class spell lists, paladins or rangers of any level can use wands of cure light wounds.

 

[Clefton Twain]

Cool beans. That's what I needed. Thanks, everyone.

--CT

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

OTOH he has no caster level before he reach 4th level. He couldn't even try to use a scroll.

IMC I ruled that you can't use a wand until you become a spellcaster. Not that it ever become an issue, though.

I respectfully disagree.

The Paladin and Ranger are both explicitly described as having spellcaster level equal to <class level>/2.

Whether they should be allowed to cast from scrolls at 1st levels can be argued both ways. But it seems pretty clear they may attempt to use scrolls at 2nd level.

I personally do not see any problem with attempting to cast a scroll with caster level zero.

 

[Geoff Watson]

They actually have NO spellcaster level for levels 1-3. At levels 4+, their spellcaster level is half their class level.

IMC, I have a house rule that Paladins and Rangers can't use spell trigger items until they reach fourth level.
The normal rules make the Ranger even more front-loaded.

Geoff.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Geoff is correct in that paladins and rangers have no caster level at all until level 4, but they can still use wands (unless a house rule prevents them, of course).

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

Nowhere in the rules does it say you need a caster level in order to use a scroll. You need:

The spell on your spell list.
The spell is the same type of caster as you are (Arcane or Divine)
The requisite ability score.

So a first level ranger can, under core rules, use a scroll. Note that he has to make a pretty difficult Spellcraft roll (DC 15 or 20 + the level of the spell, depending on which Core Rule book you choose to use (PHB or DMG)) and only gets one try per a day.

Oops, and the caster level check. He simply needs to roll 1 above the level of the scroll's caster level. There isn't a problem with adding 0 (His caster level) to the check.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Nowhere in the rules does it say you need a caster level in order to use a scroll. You need:

The spell is the same type of caster as you are (Arcane or Divine)

Ah, but the question becomes - before he has a caster level, is he a Divine caster?

"Beginning at 4th level, a ranger (paladin) gains the ability to cast a small number of divine spells. Through 3rd level, a ranger (paladin) has no caster level. Starting at 4th level, a ranger's (paladin's) caster level is one-half his class level."

What is the definition of a Divine caster? Someone with a Divine spell list? Or someone with a Divine caster level?

-Hyp.