Runestaves and Artificers [Archive] - Wizards Community

Runestaves and Artificers [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Subtle Knife
05-25-07, 06:51 PM To those who have had a chance to examine the Magic Item Compendium:
Are Runestaves of any use to Artificers? My initial thought was "No", but then I thought "why should the Masters of Magic Items not be able to use them? Perhaps there are options...". And so here I am. I had 2 different thoughts:
1) Perhaps an artificer can use Runestaves to sacrifice infusion slots to cast the spells associated with the Runestaff (on a level-by-level basis), with a successful UMD check
2) Nope, they can't use them

Any thoughts on these options? Any others?
SK
Neutronium_Dragon
05-25-07, 11:57 PM They can't use them. A runestaff basically lets you swap out a spell slot - but artificers don't have spell slots to swap. By the same token, a rogue can't apply UMD with a runestaff to start throwing spells around because even if he activates it, he has no spell slots to swap.
OzyBurrfoot
05-29-07, 09:54 AM Emulate a Class Feature
Sometimes you need to use a class feature to activate a magic item. In this case, your effective level in the emulated class equals your Use Magic Device check result minus 20. This skill does not let you actually use the class feature of another class. It just lets you activate items as if you had that class feature. If the class whose feature you are emulating has an alignment requirement, you must meet it, either honestly or by emulating an appropriate alignment with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above).

Wouldn't spell slots count as a class feature? Just a thought.
DarkWarriorKarg
05-29-07, 10:37 AM Wouldn't spell slots count as a class feature? Just a thought.

Very well, You emulate the spellcasting feature to switch out a spell using the runestaff.

You have no slots for spells.

The swap occurs. You still can't use the swapped spell.

OR

Using a loose interpretation (infusion=spells, except where mentioned), the artificer may trade infusion slots for runestaff spells, like a sorcerer or a bard.

Of course, the artificer would be limited to swapping up to 6th level spells for 6th level infusions.
Sarlax
05-29-07, 02:48 PM Using a loose interpretation (infusion=spells, except where mentioned), the artificer may trade infusion slots for runestaff spells, like a sorcerer or a bard.
It's not that loose. The class feature specifies that infusions function just like spells and follow all the rules for spells.
DarkWarriorKarg
05-31-07, 11:55 AM It's not that loose. The class feature specifies that infusions function just like spells and follow all the rules for spells.

And runestaves are supposed to only work for arcane spellcasters...

Hence "loose". Infusions aren't arcane.
Elderich
06-08-07, 07:02 AM 1) Perhaps an artificer can use Runestaves to sacrifice infusion slots to cast the spells associated with the Runestaff (on a level-by-level basis), with a successful UMD check
If you open your PHB to page 86 you see that Lidda uses UMD to get a undead turn, and uses it to activate a magical chalice.

If you can emulate a TURN ATTEMPT, It is hard to argue you cannot emulate a spell slot. It is not like clerics are easier to emulate than wizards.

Thus just UMD it, and use no infusions slots.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Subtle Knife 05-25-07, 06:51 PM	To those who have had a chance to examine the Magic Item Compendium: Are Runestaves of any use to Artificers? My initial thought was "No", but then I thought "why should the Masters of Magic Items not be able to use them? Perhaps there are options...". And so here I am. I had 2 different thoughts: 1) Perhaps an artificer can use Runestaves to sacrifice infusion slots to cast the spells associated with the Runestaff (on a level-by-level basis), with a successful UMD check 2) Nope, they can't use them Any thoughts on these options? Any others? SK
Neutronium_Dragon 05-25-07, 11:57 PM	They can't use them. A runestaff basically lets you swap out a spell slot - but artificers don't have spell slots to swap. By the same token, a rogue can't apply UMD with a runestaff to start throwing spells around because even if he activates it, he has no spell slots to swap.
OzyBurrfoot 05-29-07, 09:54 AM	Emulate a Class Feature Sometimes you need to use a class feature to activate a magic item. In this case, your effective level in the emulated class equals your Use Magic Device check result minus 20. This skill does not let you actually use the class feature of another class. It just lets you activate items as if you had that class feature. If the class whose feature you are emulating has an alignment requirement, you must meet it, either honestly or by emulating an appropriate alignment with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above). Wouldn't spell slots count as a class feature? Just a thought.
DarkWarriorKarg 05-29-07, 10:37 AM	Wouldn't spell slots count as a class feature? Just a thought. Very well, You emulate the spellcasting feature to switch out a spell using the runestaff. You have no slots for spells. The swap occurs. You still can't use the swapped spell. OR Using a loose interpretation (infusion=spells, except where mentioned), the artificer may trade infusion slots for runestaff spells, like a sorcerer or a bard. Of course, the artificer would be limited to swapping up to 6th level spells for 6th level infusions.
Sarlax 05-29-07, 02:48 PM	Using a loose interpretation (infusion=spells, except where mentioned), the artificer may trade infusion slots for runestaff spells, like a sorcerer or a bard. It's not that loose. The class feature specifies that infusions function just like spells and follow all the rules for spells.
DarkWarriorKarg 05-31-07, 11:55 AM	It's not that loose. The class feature specifies that infusions function just like spells and follow all the rules for spells. And runestaves are supposed to only work for arcane spellcasters... Hence "loose". Infusions aren't arcane.
Elderich 06-08-07, 07:02 AM	1) Perhaps an artificer can use Runestaves to sacrifice infusion slots to cast the spells associated with the Runestaff (on a level-by-level basis), with a successful UMD check If you open your PHB to page 86 you see that Lidda uses UMD to get a undead turn, and uses it to activate a magical chalice. If you can emulate a TURN ATTEMPT, It is hard to argue you cannot emulate a spell slot. It is not like clerics are easier to emulate than wizards. Thus just UMD it, and use no infusions slots.