Post/Author/DateTime	Post
friedmad 01-22-07, 11:07 AM	Does anyone know an official, published spell that clerics can take (not from a domain), that lets a cleric identify magic items? We dont have a mage in our party and are finding magic items that we cant use because no one can identify them (and we are like 30 days from civilization...) Thanks
Edymnion 01-22-07, 11:22 AM	Nope, Identify is a Sorcerer/Wizard/Bard spell, or Cleric if you have the Magic domain only. And just for the record, this isn't a video game. You can use items without knowing what they are. You find a magic sword, but can't ID it? Thats fine, you know its at least a +1 (and Detect Magic will let you judge the strength of the aura so you can tell if it might be even stronger), and if you don't have a +1 sword, then use it. Doesn't matter if you don't know that its actually a +1 Flaming sword, it just means you don't know the trigger word to make it activate the flaming property. Also, many magical items will be made with visual cues as to what it does. If that sword's crossguards are little lightning bolts, odds are that its a Shocking sword. If the armor has a flame motiff, chances are good that its fire resistance armor. Failing that, a Rogue with a good UMD check can always just use Activate Blindly to turn the item on. Potions can be identified with an Alchemy check, scrolls ID'ed with a Decipher Script check, etc.
friedmad 01-22-07, 12:29 PM	yeah, thanks for pointing out that this isnt a video game...i actually have to use speech to communicate, and not keyboard clicks..
arjomanes 01-22-07, 12:37 PM	I don't have complete scoundrel in front of me, and not sure if your DM allows the book, but there is a skill trick called Magical Appraisal that allows someone with 5 ranks in appraise, 5 ranks in knowledge arcana, and 12 ranks in spellcraft to determine the properties of magical items. Also: Spellcraft check of 15 + spell level: When casting detect magic, determine the school of magic involved in the aura of a single item or creature you can see. (If the aura is not a spell effect, the DC is 15 + one-half caster level.) No action required. Spellcraft check of 20 + spell level: Identify materials created or shaped by magic, such as noting that an iron wall is the result of a wall of iron spell. No action required. No retry. Spellcraft check of 25: Identify a potion. Requires 1 minute. No retry.
risner 01-22-07, 02:00 PM	It is a Wizardy type thing. You are very unlikely to find a method identical to the spell in a WotC published way to do this other than a Domain spell.
PhaedrusXY 01-22-07, 02:10 PM	Clerics can be Loremasters. Loremasters can identify magic items for free at 6th level.
Perun 01-22-07, 02:45 PM	Does anyone know an official, published spell that clerics can take (not from a domain), that lets a cleric identify magic items? We dont have a mage in our party and are finding magic items that we cant use because no one can identify them (and we are like 30 days from civilization...) Thanks Cloistered clerics, a cleric variant from Unearthed Arcana and SRD (see here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#clericVarian tCloisteredCleric)) get identify on their spell lists. The best thing is, cloistered cleric's identify doesn't require a 100 gp pearl as the material component (so he can scribe scrolls of identify for 12 gp, 5 sp and 1 XP :)) Regards.
Zherog 01-22-07, 03:01 PM	Just because I like picking nits... Cloistered cleric is not part of the official SRD. Instead, Unearthed Arcana is designated as Open Game Content, which allows anybody to re-publish the material (as long as they follow all the rules of the Open Game License of course).
BW0222 01-22-07, 03:29 PM	friedmad, 1. Use magic device and wands or scrolls if you have a rogue or bard. 2. Wand or scrolls, if you have a wizard, but not the spell. 3. Detect Magic, Detect Evil, Augry, Divination, etc. can let you make an educated guess. 4. Careful examination, some high knowledge or bardic knowledge checks, etc. might give you some clues. Does it have any markings, what is it made of, etc.? 5. Trial and error. Except for command word items, most items can just be put on, consumed, or otherwise just used. 6. Spellcraft, detect poison, detect magic and others for potions. How many conjuration potions aren't cure spells? 7. Ask. Charm person, suggestion, trickery, or strong arming might give you some answers. Take a few prisoners. 8. Watch. What did he say before those magic missiles came out of the wand and blasted the fighter? He has three green potions and he drank one of them during the combat after being hit a lot. It's conjuration magic... so ... some type of cure wounds potion.