A Quick Question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Quick Question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nizo0b
09-09-06, 04:14 PM I have been playing D&D for three years, but i still dont have an answer to this important question.

What happens when you break a staff or a wand other than a a staff of power or a staff of the magi?

Please respond.:help:
Tempest Stormwind
09-09-06, 04:35 PM The device stops working until it's repaired (see the relevant craft feat).

Seriously, that's it. You were expecting a boom?
Beezelbob
09-09-06, 04:39 PM I don't remember anything in the d20 rules. Which would leave the topic open for discussion.

Ultimately, it all depends upon the DM's interpretation. Some DM's believe in showy reactions to such an action (the release of the stored magic) others believe no reaction is appropriate.

If you're the player, ask your DM. If you're the DM, then either decide for yourself, or have a discussion with your group on the implications.
nizo0b
09-09-06, 04:58 PM Thanks, I owe you one.
Escef
09-09-06, 08:00 PM Most DMs I have encountered houserule a minor explosion. Which is kinda unfair, because no such thing happens with a magical sword when it gets sundered. It just punishes the wand user with something he can't take: damage.
Alac Luin
09-09-06, 09:23 PM from the SRD...
DAMAGING MAGIC ITEMS
A magic item doesn’t need to make a saving throw unless it is unattended, it is specifically targeted by the effect, or its wielder rolls a natural 1 on his save. Magic items should always get a saving throw against spells that might deal damage to them— even against attacks from which a nonmagical item would normally get no chance to save. Magic items use the same saving throw bonus for all saves, no matter what the type (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will). A magic item’s saving throw bonus equals 2 + one-half its caster level (round down). The only exceptions to this are intelligent magic items, which make Will saves based on their own Wisdom scores.
Magic items, unless otherwise noted, take damage as nonmagical items of the same sort. A damaged magic item continues to function, but if it is destroyed, all its magical power is lost.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nizo0b 09-09-06, 04:14 PM	I have been playing D&D for three years, but i still dont have an answer to this important question. What happens when you break a staff or a wand other than a a staff of power or a staff of the magi? Please respond.:help:
Tempest Stormwind 09-09-06, 04:35 PM	The device stops working until it's repaired (see the relevant craft feat). Seriously, that's it. You were expecting a boom?
Beezelbob 09-09-06, 04:39 PM	I don't remember anything in the d20 rules. Which would leave the topic open for discussion. Ultimately, it all depends upon the DM's interpretation. Some DM's believe in showy reactions to such an action (the release of the stored magic) others believe no reaction is appropriate. If you're the player, ask your DM. If you're the DM, then either decide for yourself, or have a discussion with your group on the implications.
nizo0b 09-09-06, 04:58 PM	Thanks, I owe you one.
Escef 09-09-06, 08:00 PM	Most DMs I have encountered houserule a minor explosion. Which is kinda unfair, because no such thing happens with a magical sword when it gets sundered. It just punishes the wand user with something he can't take: damage.
Alac Luin 09-09-06, 09:23 PM	from the SRD... DAMAGING MAGIC ITEMS A magic item doesn’t need to make a saving throw unless it is unattended, it is specifically targeted by the effect, or its wielder rolls a natural 1 on his save. Magic items should always get a saving throw against spells that might deal damage to them— even against attacks from which a nonmagical item would normally get no chance to save. Magic items use the same saving throw bonus for all saves, no matter what the type (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will). A magic item’s saving throw bonus equals 2 + one-half its caster level (round down). The only exceptions to this are intelligent magic items, which make Will saves based on their own Wisdom scores. Magic items, unless otherwise noted, take damage as nonmagical items of the same sort. A damaged magic item continues to function, but if it is destroyed, all its magical power is lost.