Using Wands

[NPC]

If I'm a 2nd level cleric, can I use a wand with a 4th level cleric spell on it?

 

[nimisgod]

Yes, as long as the spell is on his spell list he can use the wand.

From the SRD:

Activation
Wands use the spell trigger activation method, so casting a spell from a wand is usually a standard action that doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. (If the spell being cast, however, has a longer casting time than 1 action, it takes that long to cast the spell from a wand.) To activate a wand, a character must hold it in hand (or whatever passes for a hand, for nonhumanoid creatures) and point it in the general direction of the target or area.


Spell Trigger
Anyone with a spell on his or her spell list knows how to use a spell trigger item that stores that spell. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Yes, as long as the spell is on his spell list he can use the wand.

Wait...are you so sure? I'd say no, since technically they don't have access to the spells yet...that like giving a Wizard access to a Wand of Fireball at 1st level...or maybe I've just done it all wrong.

 

[rhammer2]

Yes you've done it wrong.

It doesn't matter if the wizard or cleric is of high enough level to cast the spell themselves. As long as they have the potential to one day cast the spell, they can use a wand with the spell in it.

Wait...are you so sure? I'd say no, since technically they don't have access to the spells yet...that like giving a Wizard access to a Wand of Fireball at 1st level...or maybe I've just done it all wrong.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Ah the simplicity of SWd20. That's what I get for starting with a different d20 game. Seems a bit overpowered in a way, but I can see the sense in it.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Wait... so you're telling me that if a first level character has a +4 sword, he gets the bonuses to attack and damage?

That's so broken...

(... until you note that if a 1st level character has an item worth 32000gp, something's not right...)

A Wand of Fireball is worth over 11000gp. A 2nd level character is expected to have equipment worth less than 1000gp.

-Hyp.

 

[Gilwen]

Is there a chance that something goes wrong if the person casting the spell isn't high enough to actually cast the spell? I don't have my books so I don't remmeber which items it applies to or where it is located.

Bryan

 

[rhammer2]

Only for scrolls, no problem with wands.

Is there a chance that something goes wrong if the person casting the spell isn't high enough to actually cast the spell? I don't have my books so I don't remmeber which items it applies to or where it is located.

Bryan

 

[Coredump]

Not debating the rules. Just wondering if anyone can find the logic in scrolls having a chance of failure if too high level, but not wands.

 

[NPC]

'Cause scrolls are cheaper?