Spellcraft for identifying a wand's spell?

[Henrix]

To look so different as to warrant a +5 DC, yes.
Check out the DMG p.34, adjudicating magic.

 

[Thanee]

That's what I would call minor differences. So minor, that it doesn't change the visual spell effect to a level, where it isn't percievable as what it is anymore.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Hurtoc]

Thanks everyone for your replies. In the game, I allowed a DC 20 + spell level check to discern the spell. The player rolled 22 against DC 23 and learned a bit but wasn't certain as to what was going on...but he'll know more in a split second when the spell effect is more clear to all involved.

 

[Falling Icicle]

It's even possible that you could identify the spell by looking at the wand. This is assuming that wands that store a specific spell all have similar construction and appearance, but this seems to be the case with alot of magic items.

Also remember that a person can also make a Spellcraft check when observing the effects of a spell (if they are noticable). That doesn't help much for Counterspelling, but that's why it's always a good idea to always have a Dispel Magic handy.

 

[irdeggman]

We are talking about identifying the spell in order to counterspell it right?


IMO it is pretty much impossible to counterspell a wand unless you have a readied action and even then it would become difficult. My logic is that using a wand is as close to a free action for casting a spell as you can get - hence the reason that using a wand doesn't generate an AoO.

Regardless applying a higher DC ro recognize a spell cast from a wand (i.e., trigger item) the spell works mechanically.

 

[Thanee]

See above. It's not only difficult, it's impossible to counterspell wands, since you cannot identify the spell before it is actually cast.

But the explanation is different. Besides, using a wand is as much a standard action as casting a spell. It's easier (less concentration required, hence no AoO), but not any less time consuming.

Bye
Thanee

 

[irdeggman]

Thanks everyone for your replies. In the game, I allowed a DC 20 + spell level check to discern the spell. The player rolled 22 against DC 23 and learned a bit but wasn't certain as to what was going on...but he'll know more in a split second when the spell effect is more clear to all involved.

This sounds different than figuring out what the spell is being cast.

I mean using spellcraft to figure out a spell from it's ongoing effects is a differrent animal. For which the DC 20 + spell level is the correct DC to use (per the PHB). Since an ongoing spell doesn't matter how it was cast or from where.