Wands with swift action spells- swift or standard action to activate?

[Silveras]

True I could be overthinking it. (and I probably am) But consider this, CAdv has 61 new spells 4th level and below (ie. could be made into wands), but only 13 are listed on the wands list. The four I mentioned are the only swift action ones in the lot, but that leaves plenty of other spells (with swift, standard and longer casting times) that would be viable wands. Why aren't they listed? Again, it could just be a big screw-up, along the lines of what you and Hyp are talking about. Maybe these four spells weren't originally swift spells, somewhere in the design process that got changed and the wand list never got fixed. But what's up with all the other good spells in there that aren't wands?

Of course, thinking this way lends weight to the "big screw-up" argument when, of course, I would like it to lean towards "swift action wands." But still, it'd be nice if the issue were clearer either way. If only we lived in a perfect world where every book was perfect before it was published!

It is entirely possible that the spells were originally NOT swift actions (and lasted a couple of rounds), but were made swift actions with short durations late in the development process. The entries in the wand list could be a spot the developers missed in making that change.

The best thing to do is to go to the Wizards web site and report it as possible errata. And/or email the Sage and ask what the deal is. That way, there is a chance you will get an authoritative answer (of which we can then argue the validity).

Seriously, whenever the question is "what did they have in mind", "they" (WotC and/or the Sage) are the ones to ask.

 

[ForceUser]

The best thing to do is to go to the Wizards web site and report it as possible errata. And/or email the Sage and ask what the deal is. That way, there is a chance you will get an authoritative answer (of which we can then argue the validity).

I disagree. The best thing to do is have your DM make a ruling and move on. You can always incorporate errata later should you choose. I don't think it breaks the game to allow it, but I probably wouldn't allow it in my homebrew. I might allow it in Eberron or Forgotten Realms.

 

[Silveras]

I disagree. The best thing to do is have your DM make a ruling and move on. You can always incorporate errata later should you choose. I don't think it breaks the game to allow it, but I probably wouldn't allow it in my homebrew. I might allow it in Eberron or Forgotten Realms.

Making a decision and moving on is what you need to do to keep playing. Raising the issue with WotC customer service and/or the Sage is the best way to a) make them aware there is something in need of correction and b) get an idea of what the intention was, so that, if necessary, the DM can confirm or revise the initial ruling.

If it is important enough to ask outside your own group, it is important enough to try one of the "official" channels, IMHO.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Making a decision and moving on is what you need to do to keep playing. Raising the issue with WotC customer service and/or the Sage is the best way to a) make them aware there is something in need of correction and b) get an idea of what the intention was, so that, if necessary, the DM can confirm or revise the initial ruling.

I've dropped Andy Collins a query email with the relevant quotes from the DMG, MiniHB, and CA to get his take on the subject.

It should be noted that even at a standard action to activate, a wand of Gravestrike is not completely useless. You would gain the benefit on any AoOs you made against undead for the rest of the round.

It's still mostly useless, but not completely useless

-Hyp.

 

[Silveras]

I've dropped Andy Collins a query email with the relevant quotes from the DMG, MiniHB, and CA to get his take on the subject.

It should be noted that even at a standard action to activate, a wand of Gravestrike is not completely useless. You would gain the benefit on any AoOs you made against undead for the rest of the round.

It's still mostly useless, but not completely useless

-Hyp.

Indeed. I am somewhat curious as to how close my hypothetical scenario comes to the truth.

 

[Pinotage]

Keenly awaiting an answer on this one!

Pinotage

 

[cmanos]

I'll have to look at the Feather Fall token and see how it works. Its not a wand. More likely it is a Wondrous Item, but I don't know exactly if it is use activated or what. You may want to look at it for a basis of a magic item. Seems kind of silly to have one of those spells in a wand that takes a standard action to use. Maybe those are sold by the shady magic item dealers who prey on the uninformed. "Yeah, really...it only takes a swift action to use!"

 

[Pinotage]

I'll have to look at the Feather Fall token and see how it works. Its not a wand. More likely it is a Wondrous Item, but I don't know exactly if it is use activated or what. You may want to look at it for a basis of a magic item. Seems kind of silly to have one of those spells in a wand that takes a standard action to use. Maybe those are sold by the shady magic item dealers who prey on the uninformed. "Yeah, really...it only takes a swift action to use!"

There's a Safewing Emblem in Races of the Wild, which automatically activates when the wearer falls more than 5 ft. It states that it takes no action to activate.

Pinotage

 

[FEADIN]

As the ring of feather fall...

 

[Pinotage]

As the ring of feather fall...

Except that it's a single use, wondrous item. Probably the important bit to mention.

Pinotage