The Healing Bard

[Jack Simth]

If by "use" you mean cast, yes, he must choos them as his spells known.

If by "use" you mean use a wand of cure X wounds, he's qualified, as all Bards are.

-- N

Well, for Arcane wands of Cure X wounds, that's true. Nor for the more common divine version, however.

 

[Elephant]

There's no such thing as an "Arcane" or "Divine" wand. You're thinking of scrolls.

 

[Romnipotent]

Ever priced the Arcane Wand of CLW?
1500gp
on the lighter side it IS 1D8+2

 

[Dracomeander]

Scrolls come divided into Arcane and Divine versions. Wands do not. All it takes for someone to make use of a wand is to have the spell - as defined by its name - available on the list of spells the character has access to learn. For bards and other spontaneous casters with limited numbers of spells known, the character does not need to actually know the spell - only that the spell was available to be known.

The other option to make use of wands is to have a Use Magic Device skill high enough to reliably meet or exceed the DC 20 skill check to activate it.

 

[Nifft]

Additionally:

1/ A wand may be of a spell level higher than you can actually cast, but that's not a problem. With a scroll, it's potentially a problem (in the form of a Spellcraft check).

2/ Even if you cannot yet cast spells, you can use wands, if you have a spell-list. 1st level Bards, Rangers and Paladins benefit greatly from this.

-- N

 

[Diirk]

Although I would like to point out that first level bards can in fact cast spells... (hey, 0th level spells are spells too !)

 

[Jdvn1]

If by "use" you mean cast, yes, he must choos them as his spells known.

If by "use" you mean use a wand of cure X wounds, he's qualified, as all Bards are.

-- N

Yes, I meant the former. If I was concerned about using a wand, I'd have recommended UMD.

 

[blargney the second]

If you don't want to change your character concept to Band-Aid, I'd recommend mentioning the wand idea to your DM to see if he might make an exception to his house rule about treasure. 750gp is a pittance compared to expending a feat in order to become Mr. Elastoplast.

-blarg

 

[LeapingShark]

How about a few scrolls, or a couple of potions?

Using up your precious few spell slots for healing seems like a shame, it takes you too far away from your character concept. Bard medic?? I'd do whatever you can to avoid it. Your character is already providing enough mass generosity through Inspiration, you need to save some of the "fun stuff" like the cool bardic spells, for yourself.

If the other characters are begging for some curing, tell somebody else to take a level in cleric. It's not the bard's job.

Or how about this, if possible, hire a temporary NPC (hireling/follower), like an adept, to walk behind the party, providing first-aid and healing.