Spellcraft for identifying a wand's spell?

[Hurtoc]

Can the Spellcraft skill be used to identify a wand's spell as it is activated?

The skill description seems to focus on spells as they are being cast, not magic item activation, or spell effects already in place.

If the Spellcraft skill could be used to identify a wand's spell as the wand is activated, what would the DC?

In our game right now, the players will be making a saving throw against the wand's spell effect. There is a Spellcraft use that allows the skill user to roll against DC 25+spell level to identify a spell for which they've made a saving throw - is this a case that is appropriate for a wand?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Staffan]

You wouldn't be able to use spellcraft in the "identify spell as it is being cast", because the spell isn't being cast. There are no verbal/somatic components to identify.

You would be able to use the "identify spell you just saved against", as well as "identify a spell that's already in place and effect", assuming they're applicable in the first place (e.g. you just rolled a save, or the spell has a visible effect). I'd extend the latter use to work with instant spells that have a visible effect as well ("That was a fireball.")

 

[Thanee]

No. You need to hear verbal and/or see somatic components to identify a spell being cast, even a still, silent spell cannot be identified this way, much less a spell cast from a wand.

However, if there is a visible effect, you will either automatically know it (if you are familiar with the spell, i.e. Magic Missile), or you could roll for identifying a "spell in place" (DC 20+SL), I suppose.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Henrix]

I don't think there's such a thing as automatically recognizing a spell in the rules. It's spellcraft DC 20+ spell level, regardless.

At least in the games I'm involved in the same spell may look different when cast by another (if they haven't learned it from the same source).

 

[Thanee]

I'm pretty sure I've seen this mentioned somewhere in the rules (3.0 probably, tho), but don't ask about the specifics.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Henrix]

If you could automatically identify spells you know when they're cast, why would anyone have to use spellcraft when counterspelling? (Unless they're counterspelling with Dispel Magic, of course, in which case they don't have to identify the spell anyway.)

 

[kaigrass]

If you want to counterspell, you have to identify the spell while the spell is cast and not after ... that's what spellcraft is for (mainly).

 

[Thanee]

Yep, because it's too late for counterspelling then.

But really, if someone casts a Magic Missile or Lightning Bolt you (being a wizard familiar with those spells) should simply know that.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Henrix]

But by the rules it's a spellcraft check, regardless of whether you know the spell or not, and and at least in my games not all magic missiles or lightning bolts look the same.

 

[Thanee]

Well, a few minor differences are certainly in order, but by the rules you need to take a feat to have your spells look really different (Spell Thematics).

Bye
Thanee