Help optimizing "Use Magic Device" - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Help optimizing "Use Magic Device"

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
nighttree
May 23, 2008 11:10:42 I am at the first stage of fleshing out a character concept, and thought I would fish for some advice/suggestions

Character concept is a non-caster/invoker, who has an innate talent for activating/using magical devices.

I am looking at going Rogue/Factotum (at least from 1st to 7th levels)
I've allready found a few feats that look good for helping me get there.

Magical Aptitude
Appraise Magic Value
Magic Device attunement
Wand Strike

Any suggestions for a non-caster/invoker getting the most out of UMD, or feats/PrC that help with the use of magical items ???
#2
tshern
May 23, 2008 11:26:13 Check out Nymph's kiss from the Book of Exalted Deeds. That is exceptionally good for skill monkeys.
#3
rhig
May 23, 2008 12:08:08 You might want to check The Handbook to Wand Users and Crafters. It is filled with UMD-related goodness.
#4
vicen_korel
May 23, 2008 12:49:03 Not a great class but a single level in Examplar and you can take ten on those UMD checks (IIRC). They also get a class feature that will give you a + 4 on a skill check.
#5
hogarth
May 23, 2008 13:17:04 Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) from Magic of Incarnum gives +4 on UMD checks, I think.
#6
nighttree
May 23, 2008 21:59:21
You might want to check The Handbook to Wand Users and Crafters. It is filled with UMD-related goodness.

Thanks for that Rhig, it gave me some good info to persue ;)
#7
gaffer
May 23, 2008 22:30:24 I'm gonna throw out the obvious:
Artificer.
#8
nighttree
May 23, 2008 23:07:56
I'm gonna throw out the obvious:
Artificer.

LOL....just got finnished looking into that ;)

Problem is, this character can't CREATE magic items, just use a boatload of them.

SOMEHOW....it was not occuring to me that most items don't require spell trigger/completion activation anyway

I keep thinking I saw a PrC (some time in the hazy past) that focused on Ring wielding (allowed them to wear more rings or some such ???) But now I can't find anything :headexplo ring any bells to anyone ???

The "Arcane Schooling" feat cleans up a lot of spell trigger items.
Magical device attunment helps some as well.

So one of the things I have to look for are feats/classes that allowe more body slots than normal
#9
ratpick
May 23, 2008 23:08:18
Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) from Magic of Incarnum gives +4 on UMD checks, I think.

And Spellcraft and Decipher Script, and also allows you to use them untrained. You can also improve said bonuses with essentia, if you have a source for gaining it.

Shape Soulmeld: making Skill Focus and a number of +2/+2 feats useless since 2005.
#10
nighttree
May 23, 2008 23:30:05
And Spellcraft and Decipher Script, and also allows you to use them untrained. You can also improve said bonuses with essentia, if you have a source for gaining it.

Shape Soulmeld: making Skill Focus and a number of +2/+2 feats useless since 2005.

That might just be a great way of expressing his unique ability.
Thanks guy's :D
#11
vicen_korel
May 24, 2008 0:01:20 I saw some third party material that did the multiple ring thing once but never anything from WOTC
#12
nighttree
May 24, 2008 0:20:28
I saw some third party material that did the multiple ring thing once but never anything from WOTC

Never say never :D

I have been playing off and on for over twenty five years (yes, I'm an old fart).
But it may well have been something many editions ago.
#13
ratpick
May 25, 2008 15:46:54
That might just be a great way of expressing his unique ability.
Thanks guy's :D

Now that I start thinking about it, an Artificer with some way of shaping Mage's Spectacles would be so cool. The character not only shapes magic into everyday objects, he also shapes the very soul matter of dead, living and unborn magicians into a pair of goggles he uses to help him with his work. :D
#14
obbshei
Jun 07, 2008 13:02:11 I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once.
#15
jondera
Jun 07, 2008 13:27:45
I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once.

I generally dislike pointing out the obvious, but...

link
#16
Blade2718
Jun 08, 2008 7:46:30
I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once.

Normally, Extra Ring is an Epic feat, but high-level Artificers not only get it, but they get it on each hand!

Back to topic, boost Cha and get a competence item. Masterwork tools are 50 gp and give you +2 to a skill.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nighttree May 23, 2008 11:10:42	I am at the first stage of fleshing out a character concept, and thought I would fish for some advice/suggestions Character concept is a non-caster/invoker, who has an innate talent for activating/using magical devices. I am looking at going Rogue/Factotum (at least from 1st to 7th levels) I've allready found a few feats that look good for helping me get there. Magical Aptitude Appraise Magic Value Magic Device attunement Wand Strike Any suggestions for a non-caster/invoker getting the most out of UMD, or feats/PrC that help with the use of magical items ???
#2 tshern May 23, 2008 11:26:13	Check out Nymph's kiss from the Book of Exalted Deeds. That is exceptionally good for skill monkeys.
#3 rhig May 23, 2008 12:08:08	You might want to check The Handbook to Wand Users and Crafters. It is filled with UMD-related goodness.
#4 vicen_korel May 23, 2008 12:49:03	Not a great class but a single level in Examplar and you can take ten on those UMD checks (IIRC). They also get a class feature that will give you a + 4 on a skill check.
#5 hogarth May 23, 2008 13:17:04	Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) from Magic of Incarnum gives +4 on UMD checks, I think.
#6 nighttree May 23, 2008 21:59:21	You might want to check The Handbook to Wand Users and Crafters. It is filled with UMD-related goodness. Thanks for that Rhig, it gave me some good info to persue ;)
#7 gaffer May 23, 2008 22:30:24	I'm gonna throw out the obvious: Artificer.
#8 nighttree May 23, 2008 23:07:56	I'm gonna throw out the obvious: Artificer. LOL....just got finnished looking into that ;) Problem is, this character can't CREATE magic items, just use a boatload of them. SOMEHOW....it was not occuring to me that most items don't require spell trigger/completion activation anyway I keep thinking I saw a PrC (some time in the hazy past) that focused on Ring wielding (allowed them to wear more rings or some such ???) But now I can't find anything :headexplo ring any bells to anyone ??? The "Arcane Schooling" feat cleans up a lot of spell trigger items. Magical device attunment helps some as well. So one of the things I have to look for are feats/classes that allowe more body slots than normal
#9 ratpick May 23, 2008 23:08:18	Shape Soulmeld (Mage's Spectacles) from Magic of Incarnum gives +4 on UMD checks, I think. And Spellcraft and Decipher Script, and also allows you to use them untrained. You can also improve said bonuses with essentia, if you have a source for gaining it. Shape Soulmeld: making Skill Focus and a number of +2/+2 feats useless since 2005.
#10 nighttree May 23, 2008 23:30:05	And Spellcraft and Decipher Script, and also allows you to use them untrained. You can also improve said bonuses with essentia, if you have a source for gaining it. Shape Soulmeld: making Skill Focus and a number of +2/+2 feats useless since 2005. That might just be a great way of expressing his unique ability. Thanks guy's :D
#11 vicen_korel May 24, 2008 0:01:20	I saw some third party material that did the multiple ring thing once but never anything from WOTC
#12 nighttree May 24, 2008 0:20:28	I saw some third party material that did the multiple ring thing once but never anything from WOTC Never say never :D I have been playing off and on for over twenty five years (yes, I'm an old fart). But it may well have been something many editions ago.
#13 ratpick May 25, 2008 15:46:54	That might just be a great way of expressing his unique ability. Thanks guy's :D Now that I start thinking about it, an Artificer with some way of shaping Mage's Spectacles would be so cool. The character not only shapes magic into everyday objects, he also shapes the very soul matter of dead, living and unborn magicians into a pair of goggles he uses to help him with his work. :D
#14 obbshei Jun 07, 2008 13:02:11	I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once.
#15 jondera Jun 07, 2008 13:27:45	I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once. I generally dislike pointing out the obvious, but... link
#16 Blade2718 Jun 08, 2008 7:46:30	I know that in eberron there is ways of getting more rings on yourself including a feat. And I do know of a class as well that does it but like one of the above posters said, its a third party material. I wish I knew of a class that you could have more than 2 rings on at once. Normally, Extra Ring is an Epic feat, but high-level Artificers not only get it, but they get it on each hand! Back to topic, boost Cha and get a competence item. Masterwork tools are 50 gp and give you +2 to a skill.