Use Magic Device

[Dross Swordra]

I'm a bit confused on the particulars of the use magic device skill. Suppose the party's rogue picks up a fallen wizard's staff of conjuration and tries to use the summon monster VI ability. What is the associated use magic device DC?

-dross

 

[cmanos]

fron the SRD description of the skill

Use a Wand: Normally, to use a wand, you must have the wand’s spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill allows you to use a wand as if you had a particular spell on your class spell list. This use of the skill also applies to other spell trigger magic items, such as staffs.

Looks like DC 20 to me.

 

[Dross Swordra]

fron the SRD description of the skill



Looks like DC 20 to me.

What level does the staff act at then? (meaning what is the effective caster level of the spell emitted from the staff?)

 

[Vorput]

I believe just the base caster level of the staff, set when it's created- or else in the DMG description.

 

[Dross Swordra]

hmmm. seems strange that there would be no difference in difficulty for a rogue to enact a staff of the magi (with a Caster level of 20) or a staff of charming (with a caster level of 8)

 

[kjenks]

hmmm. seems strange that there would be no difference in difficulty for a rogue to enact a staff of the magi (with a Caster level of 20) or a staff of charming (with a caster level of 8)

It's the same with a wand. DC 20 no matter what the caster level.

But I think a rogue could choose to make another UMD check to determine the caster level, if he wants to try to set a caster level for the staff different from the default caster level.

And I think the rogue could choose to make yet another UMD check to emulate a different ability score, if he wants to increase the save DC above the default save DC.

 

[Hypersmurf]

But I think a rogue could choose to make another UMD check to determine the caster level, if he wants to try to set a caster level for the staff different from the default caster level.

No, he can't. Emulating a caster level is only used when there is a requirement to have a caster level, such as with a scroll. Notice that "Emulate caster level" is not an option on the list of tasks; the only place caster level is referenced in the skill is under the "Use a scroll" task.

-Hyp.

 

[kjenks]

No, he can't. Emulating a caster level is only used when there is a requirement to have a caster level, such as with a scroll. Notice that "Emulate caster level" is not an option on the list of tasks; the only place caster level is referenced in the skill is under the "Use a scroll" task.

-Hyp.

Emulate class feature.

 

[Khelvan]

What items can a Wizard use with UMD

I am a bit confused about that skill.
A Wizard can have it what items can he use with it?
Can a Wizard use it to use Cleric items, Scrollls Wands .....Staffs?
Or can only a rogue use Magic items from other Classes with that Skill?


Thanks

Khelvan

 

[irdeggman]

Anyone with ranks in the skill can attempt to use it as specified. It is not a class only ability.

Although some classes get variations on it (and bonuses) as class abilities - the basic use of UMD is the same in all cases regardless of class.