You ever have multiple wands you want to use in combat?

[drnuncheon]

So is there anything (besides the wisdom of the DM) to prevent a rogue from using such a wand repeatedly during the surprise round, adding up some serious sneak attack damage?

The limit of one quickened spell per round.

J

 

[smetzger]

This is what Hewards Handy Haversack's were made for.

 

[Antikinesis]

The limit of one quickened spell per round.

J

That limit is for using the quicken feat to cast a spell. The user of the wand doesn't have to have the feat, and isn't casting a spell (he's activating a magic item), so an argument could be made that the once-per-round restriction doesn't apply.

I still don't like the Quickened Wand concept.

-AK

 

[Destil]

Actually, you can have a Wand of Quickened Whatever, and kicking it off will be a free action. It'll be the most expensive ray of frost wand you've ever seen, but it can be done.

Per the rules as written I don't think it would work that way. Much like a sorcerer trying to quicken a spell... As was shown above, spell trigger is a standard action or longer. It says nothing about an exception for spells with a shorter cast time. Though, at the same time, the meta-magic rule you mention may over-come this, since the quicken spell description simply says you may cast the spell as a free action, it does not alter the original cast time....

But, at the same time, I think it's very much in the spirit of the rules, and I'd allow it. It's unclear if the letter of the rules do, though.

That limit is for using the quicken feat to cast a spell. The user of the wand doesn't have to have the feat, and isn't casting a spell (he's activating a magic item), so an argument could be made that the once-per-round restriction doesn't apply.

I still don't like the Quickened Wand concept.

At every instance of spells and psionic powers with a cast time of a free (quickend or otherwise) action it specificaly states you can only cast 1 such per round. Clearly wands wouldn't get around this, for simple balance reasons, alone.

 

[kreynolds]

Per the rules as written I don't think it would work that way.

I can't see how you can come to that conclusion when the DMG explicity states that's exactly how it works.

As was shown above, spell trigger is a standard action or longer.

As was shown above, a Quickened spell is a free action, and in a magic item, its still a free action.

It says nothing about an exception for spells with a shorter cast time.

Neither do any of the other activation methods. So following your reasoning, then you simply cannot use a quickened spell in a magic item, despite the fact that the DMG specifically states that you can, and that its a free action.

It's unclear if the letter of the rules do, though.

Seems very clear to me. Like I said, the activation methods don't mention the effects of Quicken Spell, but neither do they have to. It was already mentioned elsewhere.

At every instance of spells and psionic powers with a cast time of a free (quickend or otherwise) action it specificaly states you can only cast 1 such per round. Clearly wands wouldn't get around this, for simple balance reasons, alone.

I definately agree. I think I would probably allow both 1 free action spell and 1 free action magic item per round though.

 

[kreynolds]

I still don't like the Quickened Wand concept.

Why?

 

[Caliban]

DMG, page 175, Using Items, 2nd paragraph, "Activating a magic item is a standard action unless the items indicates otherwise. However, the casting time of a spell is the time required to activate the same power in an item, wether it's a scroll, a wand, or a pair of boots, unless the item descriptions specifically states otherwise."

So a wand of identify takes 8 hours to activate, and a wand of Quickened Ray of Frost is a free action to activate.

 

[Destil]

Neither do any of the other activation methods. So following your reasoning, then you simply cannot use a quickened spell in a magic item, despite the fact that the DMG specifically states that you can, and that its a free action.

Good point. Agreed, then, quickend wands are leagal.

Side Note: By your logic, KR, could I use a quickened Wand, a Quickened spell and a Quickened Psionic Power all in 1 round? Can I throw in a quickend spell like ability? I like the 1 quickened X / round limit simply because it's simple and an effective limit.

 

[Destil]

DMG, page 175, Using Items, 2nd paragraph, "Activating a magic item is a standard action unless the items indicates otherwise. However, the casting time of a spell is the time required to activate the same power in an item, wether it's a scroll, a wand, or a pair of boots, unless the item descriptions specifically states otherwise."

So a wand of identify takes 8 hours to activate, and a wand of Quickened Ray of Frost is a free action to activate.

So, looks like the description under the wand and staff entrys: "casting a spell from a X is usualy a standard action ... (If the spell being cast, however, has a casting time longer than 1 action it takes that long to cast the spell from a X.)" Is in error and should instead read:

"(If the spell being cast, however, has a casting time other than 1 action it takes that long to cast the spell from a X.)" (bold for emphasis on the change)

Dosn't it?

 

[Caliban]

So, looks like the description under the wand and staff entrys: "casting a spell from a X is usualy a standard action ... (If the spell being cast, however, has a casting time longer than 1 action it takes that long to cast the spell from a X.)" Is in error and should instead read:

"(If the spell being cast, however, has a casting time other than 1 action it takes that long to cast the spell from a X.)" (bold for emphasis on the change)

Dosn't it?

Both statements have the same meaning to me.

The way I read the first one, "it takes that long" refers to the casting time, not the 1 action.