Use Magic Device

Use Magic Device (Cha; Trained Only)

This skill enables the PC to emulate a skill, race, or alignment for the purposes of activating a magic item.

Check: The PC can use this skill to read a spell or to activate a magic item. Use Magic Device lets the PC use a magic item as if he had the spell ability or class features of another class, if he were a different race, or if he were of a different alignment.

The PC make a Use Magic Device check each time he activates a device such as a wand. If he is using the check to emulate an alignment or some other quality in an ongoing manner, he must make the relevant Use Magic Device check once per hour.

The PC must know what he is trying to emulate when he makes a Use Magic Device check for that purpose. The DCs for various tasks involving Use Magic Device checks are summarized on the table below.


Task DC
Activate blindly 20 + caster level
Decipher a written spell 20 + caster level
Use a scroll 20 + caster level
Use a wand 15 + caster level
Emulate a class feature 20 + caster level
Emulate an ability score See text
Emulate a race 20 + caster level
Emulate an alignment 25 + caster level

Activate Blindly: Some magic items are activated by special words, thoughts, or actions. The PC can activate such an item as if he were using the activation word, thought, or action, even when he's not, and even if he doesn't know it. He does have to perform some equivalent activity in order to make the check. That is, he must speak, wave the item around, or otherwise attempt to get it to activate. If the PC has activated the item in question at least once before, he gains a +2 bonus on subsequent checks.

If the check fails by 9 or less, the PC can't activate the device. If the check fails by 10 or more, he suffers a mishap (magical energy gets released, but it doesn't do what he wanted it to). By default, the item affects the wrong target, or uncontrolled magical energy is released, dealing 2d6 points of damage to the PC (the DM can create new mishaps, or rule an item has a different one). This mishap is in addition to the chance for a mishap that the PC normally runs when he casts a spell from a scroll he could not normally cast himself.

Decipher a Written Spell: This usage works just like deciphering a written spell with the Knowledge arcana skill, except that the DC is 5 points higher. Deciphering a written spell requires 1 minute of concentration.

Emulate an Ability Score: To cast a spell from a scroll, the PC needs a high score in the appropriate ability (Intelligence for wizard spells, Wisdom for divine spells, or Charisma for sorcerer or bard spells). His effective ability score (appropriate to the class he's emulating) is his Use Magic Device check result minus 15. If he already has a high enough score in the appropriate ability, he doesn't need to make this check.

Emulate an Alignment: Some magic items have positive or negative effects based on the user's alignment. Use Magic Device lets the PC use these items as if he were of an alignment of his choice. He can emulate only one alignment at a time.

Emulate a Class Feature: Sometimes the PC needs to use a class feature to activate a magic item. In this case, his effective level in the emulated class equals his Use Magic Device check result minus 20. This skill does not let him actually use the class feature of another class; it just lets him activate items as if he had that class feature. If the class whose feature the PC is emulating has an alignment requirement, he must meet it, either honestly or by emulating an appropriate alignment with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above).

Emulate a Race: Some magic items work only for members of certain races, or work better for members of those races. The PC can use such an item as if he were a race of his choice. The PC can emulate only one race at a time.

Use a Scroll: If the PC is casting a spell from a scroll, he has to decipher it first. Normally, to cast a spell from a scroll, he must have the spell on his class spell list; Use Magic Device allows him to use the scroll without having the spell on his list. The DC is equal to 20 + the spell's caster level. In addition, casting a spell from a scroll requires a minimum score (10 + spell level) in the appropriate ability. If the PC doesn't have a sufficient score in that ability, he PC must emulate the ability score with a separate Use Magic Device check (see above).

This use of the skill also applies to other spell completion magic items.

Use a Wand: Normally, to use a wand, the PC must have the wand's spell on his class spell list; Use Magic Device allows him to use the wand without having the spell on his list. This use of the skill also applies to other spell trigger magic items, such as staves.

Action: None. The Use Magic Device check is made as part of the action (if any) required to activate the magic item.

Try Again: Yes, but if the PC ever rolls a natural 1 while attempting to activate an item, he can't try to activate that item again for 24 hours.

Special: The PC cannot take 10 with this skill. He can't aid another on Use Magic Device checks; only the user of the item can attempt such a check.

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