Ranger with a Wand

[dogoftheunderworld]

Okay, I know this answer is around here somewhere

We just switched to 3.5... Can a Ranger (or Paladin, etc) use a wand normally at first level (for a spell on there spell list), or do they have to wait until they can actually cast spells?

Thanks,

Brian
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[Vurt]

I'm pretty sure that the qualification is simply that the spell is on their spell list, and not that they're able to cast the spell. So a ranger or paladin with a "healing stick" makes a decent backup cleric after a fight.

Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that spell. (This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin.) The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Yup. Quite a few people have CLW on their spell list. Thus it I often suggest that anybody with the spell on their list grab a "happy stick" when they can. Comes in handy SO often.

I found this out when I was running a 3.5 campaign of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Another local GM was running it at the same time ... he was going through PCs like corn through a goose. I couldn't kill a PC if I TRIED. His PC group was a bunch of loners, arcane casters, fighters, and the like. One full-class cleric, I think. My group was half multi-class Clerics and some druids, rangers ... only the Wizard didn't have CLW on his spell list and only the Wizard didn't have a "Happy Stick". Even the major melee monster of the group was a Barbarian/Cleric of Kord. Anybody got seriously damaged in combat, somebody else could heal them, or they could heal themselves. Within 30 seconds of any major combat they'd burned enough charges to bring everybody to within 5 points of max HP. 750gp for 250hp in a ready-applicator-tip tube. It was happy circumstance that they'd all chosen classes with CLW on the list, but it was so obviously a good idea I've seen a preponderance of "Happy Sticks" and healer multi-classes ever since.

--fje

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Thanks!!

 

[Brain]

I would say the ranger or paladin would have to wait until 4th level because they have no spellcasting ability before then, thus no spell list. Once they are capable of casting at all, then they could use any wand with a spell of any level from their list.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I would say the ranger or paladin would have to wait until 4th level because they have no spellcasting ability before then, thus no spell list. Once they are capable of casting at all, then they could use any wand with a spell of any level from their list.

So the fact that the DMG says "Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that spell. (This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin.)" doesn't persuade you?

-Hyp.

 

[Shin Okada]

From the newest FAQ File

If you’re a member of a class that has spellcasting ability, you can use any spell trigger item that stores a spell that’s on your class’s spell list, even when you don’t have the class level or the ability score to cast the stored spell. This even applies when you don’t have enough class levels to cast any spells at all. For example, a paladin of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd level has not yet gained any spellcasting ability, but she still can use spell trigger items that store spells on the paladin class list.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Wow I didn't know that... I always had to wait until I had casting ability. I can't wait for the opportunity to abuse this <evil laugh>

 

[Brain]

Ok, I'm wrong about that. If I ran a game, I'd house rule it the way I said though, because I think it is silly.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Brain - that's no kiddin, already I can see it gettin crazy. Oh, I think my 12th level fighter's gonna go ahead and pick up a level in ranger/cleric/whatever. Why, you ask? Oh I dunno just wanting to expand my horizons I guess... Say, DM, anywhere I can buy some wands around here?