Artificer's Scroll of Scorching Ray [Archive] - Wizards Community

Artificer's Scroll of Scorching Ray [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Furhg
11-11-04, 11:21 PM So, for those of us Artificers who are still at 1st level, to my understanding, we can make scrolls as a 3rd level caster. Which means, I could make a scoll of Scorching Ray (2nd level spell). Effects of the spell would be the same as 1st level, but the spell has no level-dependant variables (no save, 4d6 all the time, etc...).

All it would take is 75gp, 6xp, and a UMD check of 23 (20 +caster level) to create it. Then another check of UMD 23 to cast it.

Is this all correct?
Dracoulis The Phyrexian
11-11-04, 11:48 PM Looks like it.

Watch that range, though. With a range of only 25 ft, that's veeery close...

Also note that the spell does pick up more rays with levels. Not a big deal, but maybe later.

Finally, do remember that a DC 23 check is very hard for a first level character to hit. Assuming your artificer has max ranks, and an 18 Cha, you need a 16 on your d20! Bad luck, that! Especially seeing as you have to make that check twice (once for making the item, and once again for using it).

Nah, definitely not the most economical of choices at that level.
GryMor
11-12-04, 12:59 PM craft
DC 23
4 ranks
2-4 cha mod
2 competence (skill enhancer infusion)
?3 skill focus
?2 magical affinity (the +2 umd, +2 spellcraft feat)
8-15 total mod
15-8 needed roll

That puts some people into the take 10 range, for making it at least.
Even for those who can't get quite that high, they get 2 rolls:
Mod %failure
15 0
14 0
13 0
12 25
11 30
10 36
9 42
8 49

cast
DC 23
4 ranks
2-4 cha mod
+2 knows scribe scroll
?3 skill focus
?2 magical affinity

Same mods, but to be really worth it you don't want that failure chance, and even at the top end you will fail 35% of the time....
m15a
11-12-04, 01:56 PM but you can't take 10 with a UMD roll.
The Furhg
11-12-04, 07:09 PM I have :
CHA 14 (+2)
SKill Focus, UMD (+3)
Max Ranks (+4)
Artisan Bonus (+2)
Skill Infusion (+2)
--
Total Mod = +13
50% chance to make/cast the scroll DC 23

BUT WAIT, THERE's MORE!
Add my Heroic Spirit (1 action point) (Possible +6)
--
Total Mod = +14-19!!!

Not bad if you ask me!
GryMor
11-12-04, 07:36 PM I have :
Artisan Bonus (+2)
--
Total Mod = +13
50% chance to make/cast the scroll DC 23

Two things, artisan bonus only applies to activating, not to making, so you only have +11 on crafting which is two chances at 55% chance of failure, aka overall 30.25% chance of failure before your action point. Additionally, if you actually had +13 to craft, you could take 10 and automatically succeed.
Somebloke
11-12-04, 09:17 PM The numbers are the same for any 2nd level spell. The fact of the matter is that scorching ray isn't really limited by the caster level, which makes it slightly unbalancing for 1st level.
Dracoulis The Phyrexian
11-12-04, 10:13 PM Additionally, if you actually had +13 to craft, you could take 10 and automatically succeed.

Not yet he can't. Remember, one can't normally Take 10 with UMD rolls. He'd have to wait until he gets the Artificer's Skill Mastery (no other form will do), and that's not until when? Level 12 or so? Bleh.

I'm not saying it's a bad option. Just wait until you blow that 75 gold and 6 exp to get NOTHING.
Canoy
11-13-04, 05:44 AM And not just, that. One can't take Take 10 when CRAFTING an item...

I would much rahter spend those things on scrolls of sleep. =)
Josh Wilhoyte
11-13-04, 09:12 AM Actually, I believe you can take 10 when crafting an item, you just can't take 10 when making a Use magic Device check.

Also, doesn't the Skill Enhancement infusion only last a few minutes? While making the scroll takes 8 hours? I don't think that bonus will help you out.
MarkB
11-13-04, 11:36 AM Actually, I believe you can take 10 when crafting an item, you just can't take 10 when making a Use magic Device check.

Also, doesn't the Skill Enhancement infusion only last a few minutes? While making the scroll takes 8 hours? I don't think that bonus will help you out.
What isn't made entirely clear is whether the Artificer must make his Use Magic Device check as a continuous effort over those eight hours, or whether he could make one successful emulation at the start of the day and then continue with the crafting process, the spell now happily incorporated into the item. After all, the last-ditch check doesn't seem to have any time requirement, so I tend to imagine the UMD check as a one-off effort that can be made quickly at any point in the creation process, but with a 24-hour minimum between attempts.
scaryfroman
11-14-04, 12:54 AM Sorry to pipe in, but also keep in mind that magical affinity and skill focus are really sub-par feats for an artificer. They help there, but are bad at higher levels.
scrollreader
11-14-04, 05:27 AM Which is where your friendly kalashtar friend with Psychic Reformation comes in ...

:smirk:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Furhg 11-11-04, 11:21 PM	So, for those of us Artificers who are still at 1st level, to my understanding, we can make scrolls as a 3rd level caster. Which means, I could make a scoll of Scorching Ray (2nd level spell). Effects of the spell would be the same as 1st level, but the spell has no level-dependant variables (no save, 4d6 all the time, etc...). All it would take is 75gp, 6xp, and a UMD check of 23 (20 +caster level) to create it. Then another check of UMD 23 to cast it. Is this all correct?
Dracoulis The Phyrexian 11-11-04, 11:48 PM	Looks like it. Watch that range, though. With a range of only 25 ft, that's veeery close... Also note that the spell does pick up more rays with levels. Not a big deal, but maybe later. Finally, do remember that a DC 23 check is very hard for a first level character to hit. Assuming your artificer has max ranks, and an 18 Cha, you need a 16 on your d20! Bad luck, that! Especially seeing as you have to make that check twice (once for making the item, and once again for using it). Nah, definitely not the most economical of choices at that level.
GryMor 11-12-04, 12:59 PM	craft DC 23 4 ranks 2-4 cha mod 2 competence (skill enhancer infusion) ?3 skill focus ?2 magical affinity (the +2 umd, +2 spellcraft feat) 8-15 total mod 15-8 needed roll That puts some people into the take 10 range, for making it at least. Even for those who can't get quite that high, they get 2 rolls: Mod %failure 15 0 14 0 13 0 12 25 11 30 10 36 9 42 8 49 cast DC 23 4 ranks 2-4 cha mod +2 knows scribe scroll ?3 skill focus ?2 magical affinity Same mods, but to be really worth it you don't want that failure chance, and even at the top end you will fail 35% of the time....
m15a 11-12-04, 01:56 PM	but you can't take 10 with a UMD roll.
The Furhg 11-12-04, 07:09 PM	I have : CHA 14 (+2) SKill Focus, UMD (+3) Max Ranks (+4) Artisan Bonus (+2) Skill Infusion (+2) -- Total Mod = +13 50% chance to make/cast the scroll DC 23 BUT WAIT, THERE's MORE! Add my Heroic Spirit (1 action point) (Possible +6) -- Total Mod = +14-19!!! Not bad if you ask me!
GryMor 11-12-04, 07:36 PM	I have : Artisan Bonus (+2) -- Total Mod = +13 50% chance to make/cast the scroll DC 23 Two things, artisan bonus only applies to activating, not to making, so you only have +11 on crafting which is two chances at 55% chance of failure, aka overall 30.25% chance of failure before your action point. Additionally, if you actually had +13 to craft, you could take 10 and automatically succeed.
Somebloke 11-12-04, 09:17 PM	The numbers are the same for any 2nd level spell. The fact of the matter is that scorching ray isn't really limited by the caster level, which makes it slightly unbalancing for 1st level.
Dracoulis The Phyrexian 11-12-04, 10:13 PM	Additionally, if you actually had +13 to craft, you could take 10 and automatically succeed. Not yet he can't. Remember, one can't normally Take 10 with UMD rolls. He'd have to wait until he gets the Artificer's Skill Mastery (no other form will do), and that's not until when? Level 12 or so? Bleh. I'm not saying it's a bad option. Just wait until you blow that 75 gold and 6 exp to get NOTHING.
Canoy 11-13-04, 05:44 AM	And not just, that. One can't take Take 10 when CRAFTING an item... I would much rahter spend those things on scrolls of sleep. =)
Josh Wilhoyte 11-13-04, 09:12 AM	Actually, I believe you can take 10 when crafting an item, you just can't take 10 when making a Use magic Device check. Also, doesn't the Skill Enhancement infusion only last a few minutes? While making the scroll takes 8 hours? I don't think that bonus will help you out.
MarkB 11-13-04, 11:36 AM	Actually, I believe you can take 10 when crafting an item, you just can't take 10 when making a Use magic Device check. Also, doesn't the Skill Enhancement infusion only last a few minutes? While making the scroll takes 8 hours? I don't think that bonus will help you out. What isn't made entirely clear is whether the Artificer must make his Use Magic Device check as a continuous effort over those eight hours, or whether he could make one successful emulation at the start of the day and then continue with the crafting process, the spell now happily incorporated into the item. After all, the last-ditch check doesn't seem to have any time requirement, so I tend to imagine the UMD check as a one-off effort that can be made quickly at any point in the creation process, but with a 24-hour minimum between attempts.
scaryfroman 11-14-04, 12:54 AM	Sorry to pipe in, but also keep in mind that magical affinity and skill focus are really sub-par feats for an artificer. They help there, but are bad at higher levels.
scrollreader 11-14-04, 05:27 AM	Which is where your friendly kalashtar friend with Psychic Reformation comes in ... :smirk: