Arcane spell failure and wands [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane spell failure and wands [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rerednaw
08-20-04, 03:13 PM Sorry if this has been asked before but the search function is disabled.

I was wondering if arcane spell failure (ASF) applied to wands (or staves for that matter).

Activating a spell trigger is a great deal different than casting.

For example, if a rogue wearing armor uses Use Magic Device, does he incur the arcane spell failure for:

Using a wand of summon monster?

But not for a wand of summon monster?

And not for a wand of summon monster?

Because the first wand is a wizard's, the next one is a cleric's and the third one is a bard's?

Anyone?

Thanks.

Cheers.
Beamup
08-20-04, 03:17 PM ASF does not apply to spell trigger items. (Nor does it apply to spell completion items, i.e. scrolls.)
Bifford
08-20-04, 03:19 PM Activating a wand does not involve complex hand gestures, so arcane spell failure does not apply (Use Magic Device would be worth a lot less if the rogue was forced to shed his armor to use it).
Heron_Marked_Blade
08-20-04, 03:23 PM What they said.
Drachasor
08-20-04, 03:35 PM What Heron said.

-Drachasor
zudbash
08-20-04, 03:38 PM (Nor does it apply to spell completion items, i.e. scrolls.)

I believe ASF does apply to scrolls.
Drachasor
08-20-04, 04:10 PM Originally posted by zudbash
I believe ASF does apply to scrolls.

" Activate the Spell: Activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll. The character must be able to see and read the writing on the scroll. Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus. (The creator of the scroll provided these when scribing the scroll.) Note that some spells are effective only when cast on an item or items. In such a case, the scroll user must provide the item when activating the spell. Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be. Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance."

Bonus points to you.

-Drachasor
cwslyclgh
08-20-04, 05:15 PM this was actually a change from 3.0 to 3.5, in 3.0 ASF did not apply to spell completion, now it does... ASF doesn't apply to Spell trigger (in either version of 3e).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rerednaw 08-20-04, 03:13 PM	Sorry if this has been asked before but the search function is disabled. I was wondering if arcane spell failure (ASF) applied to wands (or staves for that matter). Activating a spell trigger is a great deal different than casting. For example, if a rogue wearing armor uses Use Magic Device, does he incur the arcane spell failure for: Using a wand of summon monster? But not for a wand of summon monster? And not for a wand of summon monster? Because the first wand is a wizard's, the next one is a cleric's and the third one is a bard's? Anyone? Thanks. Cheers.
Beamup 08-20-04, 03:17 PM	ASF does not apply to spell trigger items. (Nor does it apply to spell completion items, i.e. scrolls.)
Bifford 08-20-04, 03:19 PM	Activating a wand does not involve complex hand gestures, so arcane spell failure does not apply (Use Magic Device would be worth a lot less if the rogue was forced to shed his armor to use it).
Heron_Marked_Blade 08-20-04, 03:23 PM	What they said.
Drachasor 08-20-04, 03:35 PM	What Heron said. -Drachasor
zudbash 08-20-04, 03:38 PM	(Nor does it apply to spell completion items, i.e. scrolls.) I believe ASF does apply to scrolls.
Drachasor 08-20-04, 04:10 PM	Originally posted by zudbash I believe ASF does apply to scrolls. " Activate the Spell: Activating a scroll requires reading the spell from the scroll. The character must be able to see and read the writing on the scroll. Activating a scroll spell requires no material components or focus. (The creator of the scroll provided these when scribing the scroll.) Note that some spells are effective only when cast on an item or items. In such a case, the scroll user must provide the item when activating the spell. Activating a scroll spell is subject to disruption just as casting a normally prepared spell would be. Using a scroll is like casting a spell for purposes of arcane spell failure chance." Bonus points to you. -Drachasor
cwslyclgh 08-20-04, 05:15 PM	this was actually a change from 3.0 to 3.5, in 3.0 ASF did not apply to spell completion, now it does... ASF doesn't apply to Spell trigger (in either version of 3e).