Command words [Archive] - Wizards Community

Command words [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Maull
12-30-06, 02:14 AM Does anyone have a favorite/clever command word for their wand, staff, etc.

Such as... Wand detect traps - Eureka (I found it)
Wand haste - Engage
Limousine_Liberal
12-30-06, 04:29 AM According to page 213 of the DMG, wands and staves do not really have "command words". Instead they are "spell triigger" items. There is a single word that must be said to trigger the spell effect, but it is the same word for every wand/staff, so anyone who has the spell on his or her class list automatically knows that that word is once he or she identifies which spell is stored in the item. "Command Word" items are different (and discussed separately in the DMG on the same page).

It's mainly other items that use command words (Hat of Disguise, Murlynd's Spoon, activating a Flame Tongue sword, etc.)

I'd add "Screw you guys! I'm going home."--Boots/Helm of Teleportation
Seeker95
12-30-06, 07:56 AM There is a single word that must be said to trigger the spell effect, but it is the same word for every wand/staffMaybe in your campaign, but nothing I have ever seen in fantasy literature or D&D rules supports such a claim. It is not a bad flavor element, in and of itself. But it is definitely NOT "the rule".
runestar
12-30-06, 09:15 AM Bear in mind that the problem with too-common trigger phrases is that they stand the risk of accidentally being activated should a passer-by or stranger happen to utter the activation phrase by chance.

You don't want your flaming greatsword to suddenly ignite while it is slung across your back just because a tavern drunk accidentally shouts out the trigger phrase unwittingly, do you?;)

As such, trigger phrases are best nonsense words with no particular meaning which no one would utter under normal circumstances.:)
journeyman777
12-30-06, 01:12 PM Arglefraster = for a wand of create water. Props if you get the reference.
Limousine_Liberal
12-30-06, 02:06 PM Maybe in your campaign, but nothing I have ever seen in fantasy literature or D&D rules supports such a claim. It is not a bad flavor element, in and of itself. But it is definitely NOT "the rule".

I misspoke slightly, I think it is the same word for every wand or staff that casts the same spell, not for every wand or staff in existence regardless of the spell it casts.

The rules do not say that it must be "the same" word for every Wand of Fireballs, say...but the rules *do* say that every caster with the spell on his or her spell list automatically knows the trigger word immediately upon knowing what spell is contained in the wand or staff. Perhaps in some games the wand magically informs the user of the word, but I assume that its because the word in question is standardized based on the nature of the wand or staff in question.

If trigger words and command words (the latter of which the rules expressly state can be anything) are really the same thing, why the Hell are there two different entries in the DMG describing them separately, neither of which suggests that they are in fact one and the same thing?
Seeker95
12-30-06, 02:18 PM Arglefraster [...] Props if you get the reference.Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
The word lets you melt wizards without using soapy water with lemon.
Cromag
12-30-06, 11:36 PM Command words don't necessarily all have to be the same for instance they can be used to make an impotant object more tied into a game.

for example Gizmo duck used "blathering blatherskite" Whenver he turned into a super hero

He-man would call upon "The power of Greyskull!"

I wouldn't use it for everything, but it's fun to be able to use to signal that you're ready for action

It may be silly, but I had a Spell charged sword that amped up whenever I used the Command word and it was a fun way of being in character.
Fallenangel359
12-31-06, 02:12 AM Mind if I take a smoking break?
Eversmoking bottle tied to the belt :P

blub blub blub blub
bottle of air

Well shes cute
ring of xray vision
Thiez
12-31-06, 02:27 PM "Bear in mind that the problem with too-common trigger phrases is that they stand the risk of accidentally being activated should a passer-by or stranger happen to utter the activation phrase by chance."

Not really. You can only activate an item you attend and you must take a standard action to do so. Since speaking is a free action, normal speech can never activate a magical item.
Dheran
01-01-07, 05:10 AM You can only activate an item you attendAgree with you here. and you must take a standard action to do so. Since speaking is a free action, normal speech can never activate a magical item. Sorry, you haven't been paying attention:A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation. More often, the command word is some seemingly nonsensical word, or a word or phrase from an ancient language no longer in common use. Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Since we've got two apparently contradictory statements about command word activation in the same paragraph, I have to assume you can have the command word be either
a real word and activation is an immediate action (but you risk accidental activation)
a seemingly nonsensical word, and activation is a standard action
In my games all found and store-bought magic items with command words require a standard action to activate. But the creator of a custom item can specify either immediate action or standard action command words, as they choose.
Thiez
01-01-07, 08:57 AM I ignore the part that says "when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation.", because it's stupid. Since speaking is a free action, not an immediate action, you could activate any number of items within a single round (assuming no limit on free actions. Say we put the limit at 4 free actions, it's still bad).

Imagine a single-use cookie of fireball (explodes into a fireball when the command word is used). Get fire immunity and a bag of these cookies and prepare to take over the word.
I suggest you use the command words "Prepare", "To", "Go", "Boom!".
Seeker95
01-01-07, 02:30 PM I have to assume you can have the command word be either[LIST]
a real word and activation is an immediate action (but you risk accidental activation)I reject this conclusion, since it is abusable and inconsistent.

What munchkin wouldn't choose a real word in order to get the benefit of an immediate action?

And why does "beaing a real word" suddenly make it possible as an immediate action, when a non-sensical word takes just as much time to say? Does the magic item have intelligence to know that its command word is "real" rather than "made-up"?

Would "Phooey" count as a real word or a non-sensical one?
Would "Shazam" work for Gomer Pyle as a real word, but as a non-sensical one for the rest of us?
Is "shiezen" a real word if you're German, but a non-sensical word for everyone else?

A magic item with a standard action to activate cannot be turned into an immediate action activation by simply using a real word.
Thiez
01-01-07, 03:18 PM "A magic item with a standard action to activate cannot be turned into an immediate action activation by simply using a real word..."

Or a sword that casts true strike on command becomes quite broken indeed! :p
Dheran
01-02-07, 01:27 PM And why does "beaing a real word" suddenly make it possible as an immediate action, when a non-sensical word takes just as much time to say? Well, officially a nonsensical command word takes 3 full seconds to vocalize, and I've never understood that -- maybe such command words are very long? Anyway, I don't know why, but the rule explicitly says that being a real word does make it possible for immediate activation. Perhaps WotC wanted to open the door for comic misadventure? Go figure.

When I DM and let someone craft an item with this option, I force them to use a very common word for immediate activation. Such as "fire" to activate the flaming property of their sword. Then they've really got to watch what they say. No casual reference to "preparing a few fireball spells" goes unpunished.
Nom
01-02-07, 03:50 PM On occasion, the rules writers put in some flavour text without actually thinking through the implications of what they're saying. This is one of those times.

It's actually quite obvious that triggering a wand requires more than a mere word. Firstly, you need "a special knowledge of spellcasting". If it's just a word, then you shouldn't need this knowledge. Also, the triggering character can direct the spell as if they'd cast it (contrast with potions), so they are actually manipulating the magic, not just saying a word and then sitting back to watch.

So yes, if you used a commonplace word and decided to manipulate the powers of your wand while engaged in regular conversation, it might go off by accident. But why exactly are you manipulating the magic in your wand if you didn't want it to trigger?
Dheran
01-03-07, 09:21 PM On occasion, the rules writers put in some flavour text without actually thinking through the implications of what they're saying. This is one of those times. I'm not so sure about this. Flavor text and explicit statements about how to use magic items are rather different, in my mind.A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation.
It's actually quite obvious that triggering a wand requires more than a mere word. Uh, I think you missed that we switched arguments pretty much right after the start of this thread. The OP asked about "command words" for wands, staffs, et cetera. Limousine_Liberal helpfully pointed out that wands and staffs don't have actual command words, and we've been concentrating on the "et cetera" part of the question ever since. The "accidental activation" text only applies to command word items, so your context switch back to wands ends up being a non sequitur.
Nom
01-04-07, 05:07 PM From my reading, wands do have command words. It is possible to read the text such that they don't, but this doesn't seem what is intended.

However, the principle still applies. Activating a command word item is an intentional action, as seen by the "standard action" requirement and the fact that some items create effects that must be shaped, targeted or otherwise manipulated for them to be meaningful. Someone thought they were being "flavoursome" and messed up; if the text was intended to be enabling, mechanics should have been provided to allow for it.

And no, I don't hold to the principle that "if it's written in the rules then it must be what the writers' intended". If this is so, then errata are a paradox.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Maull 12-30-06, 02:14 AM	Does anyone have a favorite/clever command word for their wand, staff, etc. Such as... Wand detect traps - Eureka (I found it) Wand haste - Engage
Limousine_Liberal 12-30-06, 04:29 AM	According to page 213 of the DMG, wands and staves do not really have "command words". Instead they are "spell triigger" items. There is a single word that must be said to trigger the spell effect, but it is the same word for every wand/staff, so anyone who has the spell on his or her class list automatically knows that that word is once he or she identifies which spell is stored in the item. "Command Word" items are different (and discussed separately in the DMG on the same page). It's mainly other items that use command words (Hat of Disguise, Murlynd's Spoon, activating a Flame Tongue sword, etc.) I'd add "Screw you guys! I'm going home."--Boots/Helm of Teleportation
Seeker95 12-30-06, 07:56 AM	There is a single word that must be said to trigger the spell effect, but it is the same word for every wand/staffMaybe in your campaign, but nothing I have ever seen in fantasy literature or D&D rules supports such a claim. It is not a bad flavor element, in and of itself. But it is definitely NOT "the rule".
runestar 12-30-06, 09:15 AM	Bear in mind that the problem with too-common trigger phrases is that they stand the risk of accidentally being activated should a passer-by or stranger happen to utter the activation phrase by chance. You don't want your flaming greatsword to suddenly ignite while it is slung across your back just because a tavern drunk accidentally shouts out the trigger phrase unwittingly, do you?;) As such, trigger phrases are best nonsense words with no particular meaning which no one would utter under normal circumstances.:)
journeyman777 12-30-06, 01:12 PM	Arglefraster = for a wand of create water. Props if you get the reference.
Limousine_Liberal 12-30-06, 02:06 PM	Maybe in your campaign, but nothing I have ever seen in fantasy literature or D&D rules supports such a claim. It is not a bad flavor element, in and of itself. But it is definitely NOT "the rule". I misspoke slightly, I think it is the same word for every wand or staff that casts the same spell, not for every wand or staff in existence regardless of the spell it casts. The rules do not say that it must be "the same" word for every Wand of Fireballs, say...but the rules do say that every caster with the spell on his or her spell list automatically knows the trigger word immediately upon knowing what spell is contained in the wand or staff. Perhaps in some games the wand magically informs the user of the word, but I assume that its because the word in question is standardized based on the nature of the wand or staff in question. If trigger words and command words (the latter of which the rules expressly state can be anything) are really the same thing, why the Hell are there two different entries in the DMG describing them separately, neither of which suggests that they are in fact one and the same thing?
Seeker95 12-30-06, 02:18 PM	Arglefraster [...] Props if you get the reference.Enchanted Forest Chronicles. The word lets you melt wizards without using soapy water with lemon.
Cromag 12-30-06, 11:36 PM	Command words don't necessarily all have to be the same for instance they can be used to make an impotant object more tied into a game. for example Gizmo duck used "blathering blatherskite" Whenver he turned into a super hero He-man would call upon "The power of Greyskull!" I wouldn't use it for everything, but it's fun to be able to use to signal that you're ready for action It may be silly, but I had a Spell charged sword that amped up whenever I used the Command word and it was a fun way of being in character.
Fallenangel359 12-31-06, 02:12 AM	Mind if I take a smoking break? Eversmoking bottle tied to the belt :P blub blub blub blub bottle of air Well shes cute ring of xray vision
Thiez 12-31-06, 02:27 PM	"Bear in mind that the problem with too-common trigger phrases is that they stand the risk of accidentally being activated should a passer-by or stranger happen to utter the activation phrase by chance." Not really. You can only activate an item you attend and you must take a standard action to do so. Since speaking is a free action, normal speech can never activate a magical item.
Dheran 01-01-07, 05:10 AM	You can only activate an item you attendAgree with you here. and you must take a standard action to do so. Since speaking is a free action, normal speech can never activate a magical item. Sorry, you haven't been paying attention:A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation. More often, the command word is some seemingly nonsensical word, or a word or phrase from an ancient language no longer in common use. Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Since we've got two apparently contradictory statements about command word activation in the same paragraph, I have to assume you can have the command word be either a real word and activation is an immediate action (but you risk accidental activation) a seemingly nonsensical word, and activation is a standard action In my games all found and store-bought magic items with command words require a standard action to activate. But the creator of a custom item can specify either immediate action or standard action command words, as they choose.
Thiez 01-01-07, 08:57 AM	I ignore the part that says "when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation.", because it's stupid. Since speaking is a free action, not an immediate action, you could activate any number of items within a single round (assuming no limit on free actions. Say we put the limit at 4 free actions, it's still bad). Imagine a single-use cookie of fireball (explodes into a fireball when the command word is used). Get fire immunity and a bag of these cookies and prepare to take over the word. I suggest you use the command words "Prepare", "To", "Go", "Boom!".
Seeker95 01-01-07, 02:30 PM	I have to assume you can have the command word be either[LIST] a real word and activation is an immediate action (but you risk accidental activation)I reject this conclusion, since it is abusable and inconsistent. What munchkin wouldn't choose a real word in order to get the benefit of an immediate action? And why does "beaing a real word" suddenly make it possible as an immediate action, when a non-sensical word takes just as much time to say? Does the magic item have intelligence to know that its command word is "real" rather than "made-up"? Would "Phooey" count as a real word or a non-sensical one? Would "Shazam" work for Gomer Pyle as a real word, but as a non-sensical one for the rest of us? Is "shiezen" a real word if you're German, but a non-sensical word for everyone else? A magic item with a standard action to activate cannot be turned into an immediate action activation by simply using a real word.
Thiez 01-01-07, 03:18 PM	"A magic item with a standard action to activate cannot be turned into an immediate action activation by simply using a real word..." Or a sword that casts true strike on command becomes quite broken indeed! :p
Dheran 01-02-07, 01:27 PM	And why does "beaing a real word" suddenly make it possible as an immediate action, when a non-sensical word takes just as much time to say? Well, officially a nonsensical command word takes 3 full seconds to vocalize, and I've never understood that -- maybe such command words are very long? Anyway, I don't know why, but the rule explicitly says that being a real word does make it possible for immediate activation. Perhaps WotC wanted to open the door for comic misadventure? Go figure. When I DM and let someone craft an item with this option, I force them to use a very common word for immediate activation. Such as "fire" to activate the flaming property of their sword. Then they've really got to watch what they say. No casual reference to "preparing a few fireball spells" goes unpunished.
Nom 01-02-07, 03:50 PM	On occasion, the rules writers put in some flavour text without actually thinking through the implications of what they're saying. This is one of those times. It's actually quite obvious that triggering a wand requires more than a mere word. Firstly, you need "a special knowledge of spellcasting". If it's just a word, then you shouldn't need this knowledge. Also, the triggering character can direct the spell as if they'd cast it (contrast with potions), so they are actually manipulating the magic, not just saying a word and then sitting back to watch. So yes, if you used a commonplace word and decided to manipulate the powers of your wand while engaged in regular conversation, it might go off by accident. But why exactly are you manipulating the magic in your wand if you didn't want it to trigger?
Dheran 01-03-07, 09:21 PM	On occasion, the rules writers put in some flavour text without actually thinking through the implications of what they're saying. This is one of those times. I'm not so sure about this. Flavor text and explicit statements about how to use magic items are rather different, in my mind.A command word can be a real word, but when this is the case, the holder of the item runs the risk of activating the item accidentally by speaking the word in normal conversation. It's actually quite obvious that triggering a wand requires more than a mere word. Uh, I think you missed that we switched arguments pretty much right after the start of this thread. The OP asked about "command words" for wands, staffs, et cetera. Limousine_Liberal helpfully pointed out that wands and staffs don't have actual command words, and we've been concentrating on the "et cetera" part of the question ever since. The "accidental activation" text only applies to command word items, so your context switch back to wands ends up being a non sequitur.
Nom 01-04-07, 05:07 PM	From my reading, wands do have command words. It is possible to read the text such that they don't, but this doesn't seem what is intended. However, the principle still applies. Activating a command word item is an intentional action, as seen by the "standard action" requirement and the fact that some items create effects that must be shaped, targeted or otherwise manipulated for them to be meaningful. Someone thought they were being "flavoursome" and messed up; if the text was intended to be enabling, mechanics should have been provided to allow for it. And no, I don't hold to the principle that "if it's written in the rules then it must be what the writers' intended". If this is so, then errata are a paradox.