Using Wands

NPC · Jun 8, 2003

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

nimisgod · Jun 8, 2003

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 · Jun 8, 2003

nimisgod said:
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 · Jun 8, 2003

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.

Ankh-Morpork Guard said:
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 · Jun 8, 2003

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 · Jun 8, 2003

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 · Jun 8, 2003

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 · Jun 8, 2003

Only for scrolls, no problem with wands.

Gilwen said:
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