Wand DCs

[Groutknoll]

I have a question about wand DCs.

When you purchase a wand ( say fireball-cl 5) the DC is the minimum required to cast the spell ( 10 + mod + spell level ) which is 14 ( 10+1(13 int)+3 )

Now say a wiz 5 with 18 int and the craft wand feat creates the wand of fireball, what would the DC be ? 14 ( 10+1(13 int)+3 ) or 17 ( 10+4(18 int)+3 ) ?

Also consider this, if the spell is heightened to 4th then the DC becomes 16 ( 10+2(14 int)+3 ) for purchased wands.

Thanks.

 

[Pinotage]

I have a question about wand DCs.

When you purchase a wand ( say fireball-cl 5) the DC is the minimum required to cast the spell ( 10 + mod + spell level ) which is 14 ( 10+1(13 int)+3 )

Now say a wiz 5 with 18 int and the craft wand feat creates the wand of fireball, what would the DC be ? 14 ( 10+1(13 int)+3 ) or 17 ( 10+4(18 int)+3 ) ?

Also consider this, if the spell is heightened to 4th then the DC becomes 16 ( 10+2(14 int)+3 ) for purchased wands.

Thanks.

Correct. The minimum for a 3rd level spell will be DC 14 since it requires 13 Int.

DC 17, since the creator's Int is higher. I believe the creator also has the ability to set a lower DC if he choses to (though I don't know why ).

As for the heightened wand, the DC goes on the heightened level of the wand, so you are correct again. Bear in mind that other metamagic feats do not modify the spell level, so a maximised fireball is still a 3rd level spell even though it requires a 6th level slot to cast.

Pinotage

 

[RigaMortus]

Actually that isn't totally correct. The save DC for the Int 17 caster making the item would still be DC 14. The formula is:

10 + the level of the spell or effect + the ability modifier of the minimum ability score needed to cast that level of spell.

You only take into account the minimum ability score needed, not the current.

Staves are the exception, as their save DCs are controlled by the wielder of the Staff.

You are correct about the Heightened Wand's DC.

 

[dcollins]

Now say a wiz 5 with 18 int and the craft wand feat creates the wand of fireball, what would the DC be ? 14 ( 10+1(13 int)+3 ) or 17 ( 10+4(18 int)+3 ) ?

As previous poster stated, this wand would be DC 14. The formula is fixed, and so too for scrolls, potions, etc.

One of the primary uses for Heighten spell is to increase the DC on such items.

 

[Thanee]

What they said. The creator's Int is irrelevant, it's always the minimum to be able to cast the spell, which sets the DC.

Also consider this, if the spell is heightened to 4th then the DC becomes 16 ( 10+2(14 int)+3 ) for purchased wands.

I also want to note, that while DC 16 is correct, your calculation is not (10+2+4, of course).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Hypersmurf]

As previous poster stated, this wand would be DC 14. The formula is fixed, and so too for scrolls, potions, etc.

There's a feat somewhere to let you apply your own, though, from memory.

Might be a Faerun supplement

-Hyp.

 

[dcollins]

There's a feat somewhere to let you apply your own, though, from memory.

Might be a Faerun supplement

-Hyp.

Yeah, yeah, there's always an exception somewhere. I'm core rules only, baby.

 

[Amal Shukup]

Further on this topic, what would be the DC for a Wand of Maximized Fireball?

Still only a 3rd Level Spell (not Heightened), but the caster needs a 16 Int to cast it... So does the DC become 16?

My players HATED me when I explained (many moons ago) that their Wands and Potions only used Minimum Intelligence Modifier. Much gnashing of teeth and complaining.

Still, none of them have gone for the Staff action yet - even though I demo'd just how devastating they could be by mauling them with a Wizard NPC casting Chain Lightning from a Staff (Int 26, buffed. Spell Focus...).

"DC 25?! Whaddya mean DC 25!!? My stupid wand of Lightning Bolt only has a DC 14!!"

A'Mal

 

[Caliban]

Further on this topic, what would be the DC for a Wand of Maximized Fireball?

You can't make a wand of Maximized Fireball using core rules.

Wands are limited to 4th level spells, and metamagic level increases count towards this limit.

 

[Groutknoll]

I have looked for the passage that states for creating wands/scrolls/potions that the DC is 10 + the level of the spell or effect + the ability modifier of the minimum ability score needed to cast that level of spell in the SRD and have not found it.

Could someone give me the core book and page or what part of the SRD it is in.

I have been using Sovelior & Sage's online SRD.

Thanks again.