a character has to drink a potion, swing a sword, interpose a shield to deflect a blow in combat, look through a lens, sprinkle dust, wear a ring, or don a hat. Use Activated: This type of item simply has to be used in order to activate it. The spells detect magic, identify, and analyze dweomer all reveal command words if the properties of the item are successfully identified. If that check is failed, succeeding on a second check (DC 25) might provide some insight into a clue. A successful check against DC 30 is needed to come up with the word itself. The Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (history) skills might be useful in helping to identify command words or deciphering clues regarding them. Occasionally, it might be hidden within a pattern or design engraved, carved, or built into the item, or the item might bear a clue to the command word. Sometimes the command word to activate an item is written right on the item. Activating a command word magic item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity. More often, the command word is some nonsensical word, or a word or phrase from an ancient language. No other special knowledge is needed.Ī 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. Command word activation means that a character speaks the word and the item activates. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.Ĭommand Word: If the activation is on command or if no activation method is suggested either in the magic item description or by the nature of the item, assume that a command word is needed to activate it. The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin. Spell trigger items can be used by anyone whose class can cast the corresponding spell.

No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. Activating a spell completion item is a standard action (or the spell’s casting time, whichever is longer) and provokes attacks of opportunity exactly as casting a spell does. If he can’t already cast the spell, there’s a chance he’ll make a mistake. To use a spell completion item safely, a character must be of high enough level in the right class to cast the spell already.

All that’s left to do is perform the finishing parts of the spellcasting (the final gestures, words, and so on). The preparation is done for the caster, so no preparation time is needed beforehand as with normal spellcasting. A scroll is a spell that is mostly finished. Spell Completion: This is the activation method for scrolls. The four ways to activate magic items are described below: However, the casting time of a spell is the time required to activate the same power in an item, regardless of the type of magic item, unless the item description specifically states otherwise. By contrast, spell completion items are treated like spells in combat and do provoke attacks of opportunity.Īctivating a magic item is a standard action unless the item description indicates otherwise. In most cases, though, using an item requires a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. Some items, once donned, function constantly. To use a magic item, it must be activated, although sometimes activation simply means putting a ring on your finger. Table: Random Magic Item Generation Minor Item Natureīonus to ability score, skill check, etc.

If no spells are included in the prerequisites, use the following default guidelines. If more than one spell is given as a prerequisite, use the highest-level spell. The description of each item provides its aura strength and the school to which it belongs. When detect magic identifies a magic item’s school of magic, this information refers to the school of the spell placed within the potion, scroll, or wand, or the prerequisite given for the item. Magic Plants Relics 3rd Party Magic Items Magic Items Database Sin Runes (3.5) Magic Items and Detect Magic

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