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Using a Staff with Use Magic Device
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<blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1369586" data-attributes="member: 13098"><p>In 3.5, there are no exclusive skills. In 3.0, a Cleric with the correct domain might have Use Magic Device. Regardless, the question would still apply to any character with Use Magic Device.</p><p></p><p>Hmm, interesting question. Let's copy in the passage from the SRD to reference.</p><p></p><p></p><p>OK, obviously the activator will need to emulate the ability to cast the spells, and thus use the staff. But, since the activator does not have any caster levels, the spells from the staff would be at the staff caster level.</p><p></p><p>Secondly, Staves use the attribute of the activator to set the save DC. This is what applies to UltimaGabe's question. Because the spells are on the Sorceror/Wizard list, either Cha or Int can apply. It doesn't matter which one is used, because the emulated attribute will still be the same number and still provide the same bonus. ie. If you are using a staff to cast Chain Lightning (6th level spell), and you roll a UMD check that provides a 16 for the ability score, it doesn't matter if it is Int or Cha, both provide a +3 bonus to the DC. So, it doesn't matter which one the activator chooses.</p><p></p><p>The Emulate Ability Score aspect of Use Magic Device in 3.5 is as follows:</p><p></p><p>By the book, you use this for scrolls. Some might argue that it doesn't explicitly state that you can use the skill to emulate the ability score for anything else, so you cannot. We will ignore the arguments on semantics and assume the intent is to allow you to emulate an ability score for any magic item you want to activate. The key part of the skill is that you don't need to emulate an ability score if you already have a high enough ability. </p><p></p><p>In this case, if the Cleric had a high Cha or a high Int, there might not need to be an emulate ability score check. If the cleric does need to emulate an ability score, it doesn't matter which one is chosen (Cha or Int) because the skill check is going to determine if the ability score emulation is high enough.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BSF, post: 1369586, member: 13098"] In 3.5, there are no exclusive skills. In 3.0, a Cleric with the correct domain might have Use Magic Device. Regardless, the question would still apply to any character with Use Magic Device. Hmm, interesting question. Let's copy in the passage from the SRD to reference. OK, obviously the activator will need to emulate the ability to cast the spells, and thus use the staff. But, since the activator does not have any caster levels, the spells from the staff would be at the staff caster level. Secondly, Staves use the attribute of the activator to set the save DC. This is what applies to UltimaGabe's question. Because the spells are on the Sorceror/Wizard list, either Cha or Int can apply. It doesn't matter which one is used, because the emulated attribute will still be the same number and still provide the same bonus. ie. If you are using a staff to cast Chain Lightning (6th level spell), and you roll a UMD check that provides a 16 for the ability score, it doesn't matter if it is Int or Cha, both provide a +3 bonus to the DC. So, it doesn't matter which one the activator chooses. The Emulate Ability Score aspect of Use Magic Device in 3.5 is as follows: By the book, you use this for scrolls. Some might argue that it doesn't explicitly state that you can use the skill to emulate the ability score for anything else, so you cannot. We will ignore the arguments on semantics and assume the intent is to allow you to emulate an ability score for any magic item you want to activate. The key part of the skill is that you don't need to emulate an ability score if you already have a high enough ability. In this case, if the Cleric had a high Cha or a high Int, there might not need to be an emulate ability score check. If the cleric does need to emulate an ability score, it doesn't matter which one is chosen (Cha or Int) because the skill check is going to determine if the ability score emulation is high enough. [/QUOTE]
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