Scrolls Activation

[TheGogmagog]

In reading the scroll activation in preparation for my question, I notices something interesting. Casting a spell from the scroll has the same casting time as the spell on the scroll. Usually it's 1 action, or longer. But it could be a quickened spell or what I call the 'interrupt' spell feather fall.

So in a round you could retrieve the cast a standard spell (standard), reterieve the scroll (move), then cast a quickened spell (free).

Anyway, [DMG 238]Activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll. The character must be able to see and read the scroll. It goes on to explain that material components are usually not required. What about verbal and somatic components? I presume that since they are not mentioned they are per the original spell [PH 142] Activating a spell completion item, such as a scroll, is the equivilant of casting a spell.

I seem to remember discussions claiming that a silenced or quickened spell scroll was pointless, but I can't find anything to support that. Granted still spell wouldn't make a lot of sense unless you were going to be in armor or using the scroll while entangled or grappled. Did I miss anything?

 

[Scharlata]

[...]Casting a spell from the scroll has the same casting time as the spell on the scroll. Usually it's 1 action, or longer. [...]

Hi!

The DMG. p. 213, Using Items, Spell Completion states: "This is the activating method for scrolls." and "Activating a spell completion item is a standard action and provokes attacks of opportunity exactly as casting a spell does."

Did I miss something?

[...]What about verbal and somatic components?[...]

Because activating the scroll is subject to Arcane Spell Failure (DMG, p. 238 "Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance [such as from armor])", it does involve (at least) somatic components.
On the same page it states: "Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus." IMO, this implies the need of verbal and somatic components.

Kind regards

 

[Jhulae]

That's actually something I wonder, too.

Wands specifically say that activating them takes as long as casting the spell normally would.

But, scrolls don't specifically say that, so by extension, does that mean that every scroll is a standard action to activate?

 

[Hypersmurf]

But, scrolls don't specifically say that, so by extension, does that mean that every scroll is a standard action to activate?

From the DMG:
Activating a magic item is a standard action unless the item description indicates otherwise. However, the casting time of a spell is the time required to activate the same power in an item, such as a scroll, pair of boots, etc, unless the item description specifically states otherwise.

The item description for scrolls does not state otherwise - therefore activating feather fall from a scroll takes a free action (or an immediate action if you've converted the spell to the post-XPH action system).

The item description for wands does state otherwise (a standard action, or the casting time of the spell if it's longer), therefore activating feather fall from a wand is a standard action.

-Hyp.

 

[Scharlata]

[...] The item description for scrolls does not state otherwise. [...]

Hi, Hypersmurf!

I'm really ...

What does page 213 of the DMG say, then? ["This is the activating method for scrolls." and "Activating a spell completion item is a standard action...]

Please explain the discrepancy.

Kind regards

 

[Hypersmurf]

What does page 213 of the DMG say, then? ["This is the activating method for scrolls." and "Activating a spell completion item is a standard action...]

That's not an item description. It's an activation method description.

And it agrees with the general statement above - activating a magic item is normally a standard action.

But if you're activating a spell, this is no longer applicable. Rather, the activation time is the casting time of the spell, unless the item description states otherwise. For scrolls, the item description (found under 'Scrolls', not 'Spell Completion') does not state otherwise. So activating a spell with a free action casting time from a scroll is a free action.

Notice that "such as a scroll" is the very first example given in the sentence stating that the casting time is used.

-Hyp.

 

[irdeggman]

I was going to disagree with Hyp but then I checked out rules of the game and found Skip agreeing with him.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20041116a

 

[Scharlata]

I was going to disagree with Hyp but then I checked out rules of the game and found Skip agreeing with him.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20041116a

Thanx Hyp, thanx irdeggman, thank goodness. I've recovered my senses.

I always knew it worked like you pointed out, before I got confused some weeks ago.

Kind regards