Using Scrolls & potions

[Oryan77]

If you have a Scroll of Resist Energy 10 (for example), is the scroll already created with the specific energy type in mind, or does the caster get to choose the energy type as he casts the scroll? Does the user get to choose the energy when drinking a Potion of Resist Energy?

 

[Dandu]

"Protection from energy (type) (potion)"

Caster chooses at time of creation, apparently.

 

[radmod]

To expound on Dandu's answer:

Scrolls:
"A spell successfully activated from a scroll works exactly like a spell prepared and cast the normal way."
Since when you prepare a resist energy spell you have to choose the type of energy you want, then since a scroll is also prepared, the type is chosen.

Potions:
"The character taking the potion doesn’t get to make any decisions about the effect —the caster who brewed the potion has already done so."

 

[frankthedm]

To expound on Dandu's answer:
Scrolls:
"A spell successfully activated from a scroll works exactly like a spell prepared and cast the normal way."
Since when you prepare a resist energy spell you have to choose the type of energy you want, then since a scroll is also prepared, the type is chosen.

For the scroll, the scroll user gets to chose the type of energy.

"If a spell has multiple versions, you choose which version to use when you cast it. You don’t have to prepare (or learn, in the case of a bard or sorcerer) a specific version of the spell. "

Potions:
"The character taking the potion doesn’t get to make any decisions about the effect —the caster who brewed the potion has already done so."

Yep! Indeed the authors missed this important distinction for an important potion. While they had the 5 flavors of resist energy potions, they mistakenly only listed one lesser restoration potion when there are a dozen different options for the spell when cast.

Restoration, Lesser
Conjuration (Healing)
Level: Clr 2, Drd 2, Pal 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 3 rounds
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

Lesser restoration dispels any magical effects reducing one of the subject’s ability scores or cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to one of the subject’s ability scores. It also eliminates any fatigue suffered by the character, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued. It does not restore permanent ability drain.

Dispels any magical effects reducing Strength and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Dispels any magical effects reducing Dexterity and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Dispels any magical effects reducing Constitution and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Dispels any magical effects reducing Intelligence and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Dispels any magical effects reducing Wisdom and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Dispels any magical effects reducing Charisma and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Strength and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Dexterity and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Constitution and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Intelligence and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Wisdom and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.
Cures 1d4 points of temporary ability damage to Charisma and eliminates any fatigue, and improves an exhausted condition to fatigued.

 

[Vegepygmy]

Since when you prepare a resist energy spell you have to choose the type of energy you want...

frankthedm gave the correct answer to the OP's question, but I just wanted to make sure it's clear that radmod's statement is incorrect; you do not have to choose the type of energy you want to resist when you prepare a resist energy spell. You choose the type of energy when you cast the spell.

 

[radmod]

For the scroll, the scroll user gets to chose the type of energy.

"If a spell has multiple versions, you choose which version to use when you cast it. You don’t have to prepare (or learn, in the case of a bard or sorcerer) a specific version of the spell. "

See, this is why everyone should check out the forums, IMO. I've probably been doing it the wrong way for 30 odd years, and it either changed and I didn't notice, or no one ever caught it.
Really, though, it makes sense because it would kind of suck to find a scroll spell and put it in your spellbook only to find out it works on one type.