Using Wands/Staves and Misty Step

[Blue]

The action of using a magic item is not the same action as casting a spell. They are 2 distinct and different actions.

True but irrelevant in this particular case. Let me give an example elsewhere. Say you had up Hex, which adds +d6 necrotic damage whenever you hit the target with an attack. That extra damage does not care if you hit with an attack with the Attack action, with the Cast a Spell action to attack with Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade, or with a reaction to make an Opportunity Attack. Or even with a bonus action if you were dual wielding or had Polearm mastery. Similarly, the limitations on a bonus action spell do not care what the action is used, you simply can not cast another spell during the same turn with the exception of a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.

The magic item is casting the spell NOT YOU. It's the same as using a potion. The potion is giving the spell effect, NOT YOU. You are not using any verbal, somatic, or material components when you use a magic item. Ultimately it comes down to what your DM thinks.

Potions are a different category and have different rules, so I won't deal with that. But using a wad/staff specifically calls out in all their descriptions things like "While hold it, YOU can expend 1 charge as an action to cast the XX spell from it". In some, like the Wand of Magic Missiles it's even clearer "For 1 charge, you cast the 1st level version of the spell."

So where we are is that (a) the action type doesn't matter, and (b) you are the caster using an item.

 

[neogod22]

True but irrelevant in this particular case. Let me give an example elsewhere. Say you had up Hex, which adds +d6 necrotic damage whenever you hit the target with an attack. That extra damage does not care if you hit with an attack with the Attack action, with the Cast a Spell action to attack with Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade, or with a reaction to make an Opportunity Attack. Or even with a bonus action if you were dual wielding or had Polearm mastery. Similarly, the limitations on a bonus action spell do not care what the action is used, you simply can not cast another spell during the same turn with the exception of a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.



Potions are a different category and have different rules, so I won't deal with that. But using a wad/staff specifically calls out in all their descriptions things like "While hold it, YOU can expend 1 charge as an action to cast the XX spell from it". In some, like the Wand of Magic Missiles it's even clearer "For 1 charge, you cast the 1st level version of the spell."

So where we are is that (a) the action type doesn't matter, and (b) you are the caster using an item.

I'm not sure why I'm just getting the reply, but you are wrong here. The reason you are wrong is because the rules are specific. Casting a spell and using a magic items are 2 different actions. The rules say "you cannot cast 2 spells. It does not say you can't use a magic item or drink a potion. This is why some magic items have save DCs, because it's the strength of the magic item the person has to beat, not the strength of you and your spell casting ability. The difference in real world would be, you trying to do a complicated math equation in your head vs typing the numbers on a calculator. The calculator can do it much faster, and it doesn't require you to do a lot of thinking.

 

[Roadkill101]

If the wand/item grants the ability to cast the spell, then I'd rule no (unless the spell in question is a cantrip). If the wand/item created the spell and only had to be activated (command word, depress the stud, trace the engraving. etc.) then I'd rule yes.

 

[ph0rk]

I think the extra resources from a wand or stave is strong enough to make them useful without also allowing the caster to cast a leveled spell and a bonus action spell like misty step.

 

[Redwizard007]

I'm not sure why I'm just getting the reply, but you are wrong here. The reason you are wrong is because the rules are specific. Casting a spell and using a magic items are 2 different actions. The rules say "you cannot cast 2 spells. It does not say you can't use a magic item or drink a potion. This is why some magic items have save DCs, because it's the strength of the magic item the person has to beat, not the strength of you and your spell casting ability. The difference in real world would be, you trying to do a complicated math equation in your head vs typing the numbers on a calculator. The calculator can do it much faster, and it doesn't require you to do a lot of thinking.

Just for clarity, how do you interpret the text on magic items that says "you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its Charges to cast the __________ spell?" Not what action do you use, the part where it says "to cast the ______ spell." How are you interpreting it to mean something other than "you" are "casting the spell?"

 

[Charlaquin]

I'm not sure why I'm just getting the reply, but you are wrong here. The reason you are wrong is because the rules are specific. Casting a spell and using a magic items are 2 different actions. The rules say "you cannot cast 2 spells. It does not say you can't use a magic item or drink a potion. This is why some magic items have save DCs, because it's the strength of the magic item the person has to beat, not the strength of you and your spell casting ability. The difference in real world would be, you trying to do a complicated math equation in your head vs typing the numbers on a calculator. The calculator can do it much faster, and it doesn't require you to do a lot of thinking.

You’re correct that the Cast a Spell action and the Use an Item action are two different actions. Notably though, the restriction on spellcasting isn’t against using the Cast a Spell action, it’s against casting a spell, which is something you must do as part of the effect of the Use an Object action with a Wand of Lightning Bolts.

 

[neogod22]

If you're the DM, you can rule it the way you want, but the rules don't say that. It's just how you're choosing to interpret it.

 

[jgsugden]

If you're the DM, you can rule it the way you want, but the rules don't say that. It's just how you're choosing to interpret it.

The wand's very specific rules say that you cast the spell. You use the "Use an Object" action, and as part of it, you cast the spell - because that is what the use of the object states happens.

There is nothing to debate here. It is very clear.

 

[neogod22]

The wand's very specific rules say that you cast the spell. You use the "Use an Object" action, and as part of it, you cast the spell - because that is what the use of the object states happens.

There is nothing to debate here. It is very clear.

So you're saying is when you're using a wand or staff, or any magic item for that matter, you still need the verbal, somatic, and material components, or do you just activate the magic item like turning on a flashlight?

 

[neogod22]

There's a difference between a caster casting a spell, and a magic item doing it for you. Do you ever look at the rules and ask why they are written this way and the thought behind it, or do you just blindly follow?