Use Magic Device -- Scrolls

[Kel]

When a character attempts to use a scroll with the UMD skill, how many rolls do you require?

Normally, if a spell-caster tries to use a scroll, the caster must (1) have the requisite ability score for the spell level, and (2) have the spell on his or her spell list. In those circumstances, if the caster is of the same caster level or higher as the caster level of the scroll spell, then no roll is required. BUT, if the caster is of a lower caster level than the scroll spell, he must make a special caster level check or suffer a "mishap."

So, assume that I have a rogue that wants to cast a 7th level cleric spell with the use of the UMD skill. Assume that the rogue has the relevant ability score for the spell--a 17 Wis; thus, no need to emulate an ability score. However, the character is only 10th level, and the CL of the scroll is 13.

Under the UMD skill description, the only roll called for is the roll to "Use Scroll," the DC for which is 20 + the caster level of the spell in the scroll -- in this case, 13. As such, the DC for the use of this scroll would be 33.

I get confused by the line under the "use scroll" description of the UMD skill that says "Use Magic Device allows you to use a scroll as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from the scroll."

Based on this quote, my question is this: If the rogue is successful in his UMD roll, is the spell cast from the scroll at that point? Or does this roll simply mean that the rogue is deemed to have the spell on his spell list, and he must then make another roll, just as a normal spell caster would, in order to see if he can cast a spell that is higher than his caster level?

If it is the latter, then what is the rogue's caster level for determining that second roll? On the other hand, if no second roll is required, then do you have the rogue suffer the chance of mishaps if he fails the UMD check, the same as with a normal caster who tries to use a scroll that is higher than his caster level?

 

[Goblyn]

I get confused by the line under the "use scroll" description of the UMD skill that says "Use Magic Device allows you to use a scroll as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. The DC is 20 + the caster level of the spell you are trying to cast from the scroll."

Based on this quote, my question is this: If the rogue is successful in his UMD roll, is the spell cast from the scroll at that point? Or does this roll simply mean that the rogue is deemed to have the spell on his spell list, and he must then make another roll, just as a normal spell caster would, in order to see if he can cast a spell that is higher than his caster level?

I would say that the spell is cast at that point because if the rogue is deemed to have the spell on his list AND is considered of sufficient caster level(UMD check = 33+) then a roll would not be required just as one is not for a 13+ level caster with said spell on his list.

If it is the latter, then what is the rogue's caster level for determining that second roll? On the other hand, if no second roll is required, then do you have the rogue suffer the chance of mishaps if he fails the UMD check, the same as with a normal caster who tries to use a scroll that is higher than his caster level?

The rogue's caster level, I believe, is immaterial not to mention nonexistent. The scroll is cast at the level it was scribed at, which is what set the DC in the first place(Usually minimum for the spell). If any, the rogue's caster level would be his UMD check - 20.[EDIT]And thus subject to mishaps if his check is bad enough, I would think. See Lidda on page 85 of the PH.

At least that's what I think.

 

[Hypersmurf]

You basically can't get a Mishap when activating a scroll with UMD.

The DC to activate a caster level 13 scroll is 33. If you roll a 33 or higher, you successfully activate the scroll. If you roll a 32 or lower, you don't activate the scroll.

Unlike a caster, who can attempt to activate the scroll with a caster level of 12, the rogue either successfully activates the scroll with an emulated caster level of 'sufficient', or he fails to activate the scroll at all. If he rolls a 32, he doesn't have an emulated caster level of 12; rather, he has been unsuccessful in his attempt to emulate a scroll-user.

-Hyp.