scrolls of higher level

[Coredump]

I was just reading the rules for activating scrolls.

Assuming it is on your spell list, and same type of magic (arcane/divine), and you have the requisite ability score....

There is only a 5% chance per level difference?

If a 5th level wizard wants to cast a 6th level spell, he rolls a D20+5 against a DC of (11+1) 12. So he only needs a 7 or higher. Thus only a 30% chance of it not working.

And eventhen, he can just keep trying every round till it works. There is a small chance (DC5 Wis check) for a mishap.

Is this right? Does it sound 'too easy' to anyone else?



Second issue: Wizard makes a scroll of Disintigrate. Caster level 11.

A 5th level Sorcerer buys the scroll, and wants to cast it. Since the DC is based on caster level of the scroll (plus one), does he use DC 12, or DC 13 (Since Disintigrate requires a caster level of 12 for sorcerer.)

It seems strange that it is easier for a 5th level sorcerer to use a high level wizard scribed scroll, as opposed to a high level sorcerer scribed scroll.

 

[Goolpsy]

Well the usual aproach is to use the lowest caster level ''posible'' within the normal classes when determining the price of a Scroll etc.
So though you would normally cast it on a higher level, you cast it according to the caster level used on the scroll. Etc. something that increased every 3 levels... lets say GMW... If the party wizard scribed a scroll of caster level 11 it would provide a +3 bonus when used. But if they sorceror should cast it as a caster level 12 spell, the spell would provide a +4 Bonus instead. So you see, you have to use the caster level of the Scroll.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

1. It's right.

2. Caster Level of the scroll only, not "Caster Level you'd need to be in order to cast this spell."

 

[Infiniti2000]

Is this right? Does it sound 'too easy' to anyone else?

It's somewhat easy, yes, and I'm still up in the air as to whether it's too easy. There are some really bad examples one can devise that shows it's too easy, but really they're regulated by the DM so I'd say such examples are not relevant.

Second issue: Wizard makes a scroll of Disintigrate. Caster level 11.

A 5th level Sorcerer buys the scroll, and wants to cast it. Since the DC is based on caster level of the scroll (plus one), does he use DC 12, or DC 13 (Since Disintigrate requires a caster level of 12 for sorcerer.)

I swear this was recently asked, but anyway the scroll is CL 11 and it is arcane. It doesn't matter who scribed it or who's reading it. If the person who scribed it is a sorcerer, then the CL would be a minimum of 12.

It seems strange that it is easier for a 5th level sorcerer to use a high level wizard scribed scroll, as opposed to a high level sorcerer scribed scroll.

It's not so strange once you realize that being a wizard or sorcerer and who scribes the scroll has nothing at all to do with it. The same thing happens to bards.

Btw, your example above is what I meant in my first paragraph. I'd not let a 5th level sorcerer buy a scroll of disintegrate (or at least if I did I would consider it my responsibility and not an effect of a "too easy to use" mechanic).

 

[Coredump]

Btw, your example above is what I meant in my first paragraph. I'd not let a 5th level sorcerer buy a scroll of disintegrate (or at least if I did I would consider it my responsibility and not an effect of a "too easy to use" mechanic).

I agree.
Also I don't mind having some 'flexible' rules, and my player trust me with this. (IOW "It works this way, unless you try and exploit things, then they 'happen' to go bad.")

I am thinking of making the 'mishap' roll increase with the change in level difference. Right now it is a DC 5, perhaps a DC of 5+1 per 2 levels difference...

 

[Infiniti2000]

I am thinking of making the 'mishap' roll increase with the change in level difference. Right now it is a DC 5, perhaps a DC of 5+1 per 2 levels difference...

I'm with you on that. I've been trying to think of a good houserule on the mishap, but I don't really want to screw the players (since I rarely use UMD as a DM, it would clearly be against the players). I was instead thinking that the DC could be calculated as a more difficult value, perhaps using the +1/2 level difference type thing -- but then it would be more complicated and maybe not worth it. Dunno.