Pg.139 of the DMG under the section of scrolls "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attemt to activate it" My players seem to think this means anyone can cast any scroll, meaning a fighter can cast a scroll??
What about Use Magic Device or Acane knowledge?? Is there more stated about the activation of scrolls somewhere else?
In order to cast a spell from a scroll, the spell must be on your class spell list. So only characters with the spellcasting feature can attempt to cast from a scroll.
The info for casting can be found on the Spell Scroll listing.
The page in the DM's guide referenced in the first post is the general rule for scrolls. It goes for any scroll that doesn't have a more specific demand.
As such, scrolls such as Scroll of Protection follow the general rule and can be activated by anyone.
The Spell Scroll is a subcategory of scrolls that come with more specific rules, demanding that the relevant spell is on the spell list of the character trying to use the scroll.
The question about Paladins (and Rangers) using spell scrolls at 1st level is a little too complicated, and best used for thought exercises on mechanics rather than straightforward game rules. Suffice to say, most DMs I know allow them to use scrolls at 1st level (and the one I know that didn't had a story reason, rather than a mechanics one).
P.S. The aforementioned thought exercise:
Spell Scroll rules mention that anyone can use a spell if it's on their class' spell list. Paladins, for example, have a spell list as a class - it's not related to their level.
Simple, no? Well, the rule also reference "Spellcasting Ability", which, if you want to look at semantics, Paladin's do not have until they get the Spellcasting trait on the 2nd level.
The page in the DM's guide referenced in the first post is the general rule for scrolls. It goes for any scroll that doesn't have a more specific demand.
As such, scrolls such as Scroll of Protection follow the general rule and can be activated by anyone.
The Spell Scroll is a subcategory of scrolls that come with more specific rules, demanding that the relevant spell is on the spell list of the character trying to use the scroll.
The question about Paladins (and Rangers) using spell scrolls at 1st level is a little too complicated, and best used for thought exercises on mechanics rather than straightforward game rules. Suffice to say, most DMs I know allow them to use scrolls at 1st level (and the one I know that didn't had a story reason, rather than a mechanics one).
P.S. The aforementioned thought exercise:
Spell Scroll rules mention that anyone can use a spell if it's on their class' spell list. Paladins, for example, have a spell list as a class - it's not related to their level.
Simple, no? Well, the rule also reference "Spellcasting Ability", which, if you want to look at semantics, Paladin's do not have until they get the Spellcasting trait on the 2nd level.
Carrying the thought exercise out further, it also says "If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect." So, I would allow the 1st level ranger to use the scroll, but would impose DC check even if it were a 1st level spell. "Spellcasting ability" means "spellcasting ability score" here, I think.
Right. And the magic item rules also tell you what to do if you're asked to use your spellcasting ability and don't have one: you use an ability modifier of 0 (but you proficiency bonus still applies to spell attacks and save DCs.)
OT: If a scroll was exposed submersion in water (or other liquid) would it be ruined? They are magic items so subject to some rules regarding magic item durability, but it's still paper...
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"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
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"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
OT: If a scroll was exposed submersion in water (or other liquid) would it be ruined? They are magic items so subject to some rules regarding magic item durability, but it's still paper...
I'd say yeah, but it's DM fiat. I'm not aware of a rule that says one way or the other.
It probably *isn't* paper. It's probably vellum, parchment, papyrus, or similar; actual paper is relatively rare in ye olden times.
Paper itself is probably more vulnerable to water than any of those alternatives. The inks used are more likely to have a problem with water than the medium itself - and since the inks are magically powerful in some way I can see them surviving longer in water than regular ink.
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Pg.139 of the DMG under the section of scrolls "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attemt to activate it" My players seem to think this means anyone can cast any scroll, meaning a fighter can cast a scroll??
What about Use Magic Device or Acane knowledge?? Is there more stated about the activation of scrolls somewhere else?
In order to cast a spell from a scroll, the spell must be on your class spell list. So only characters with the spellcasting feature can attempt to cast from a scroll.
The info for casting can be found on the Spell Scroll listing.
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Can 1st level paladins use scrolls? They don’t have spellcassting yet.
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The page in the DM's guide referenced in the first post is the general rule for scrolls. It goes for any scroll that doesn't have a more specific demand.
As such, scrolls such as Scroll of Protection follow the general rule and can be activated by anyone.
The Spell Scroll is a subcategory of scrolls that come with more specific rules, demanding that the relevant spell is on the spell list of the character trying to use the scroll.
The question about Paladins (and Rangers) using spell scrolls at 1st level is a little too complicated, and best used for thought exercises on mechanics rather than straightforward game rules. Suffice to say, most DMs I know allow them to use scrolls at 1st level (and the one I know that didn't had a story reason, rather than a mechanics one).
P.S. The aforementioned thought exercise:
Spell Scroll rules mention that anyone can use a spell if it's on their class' spell list. Paladins, for example, have a spell list as a class - it's not related to their level.
Simple, no? Well, the rule also reference "Spellcasting Ability", which, if you want to look at semantics, Paladin's do not have until they get the Spellcasting trait on the 2nd level.
Carrying the thought exercise out further, it also says "If the spell is on your class’s spell list but of a higher level than you can normally cast, you must make an ability check using your spellcasting ability to determine whether you cast it successfully. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a failed check, the spell disappears from the scroll with no other effect." So, I would allow the 1st level ranger to use the scroll, but would impose DC check even if it were a 1st level spell. "Spellcasting ability" means "spellcasting ability score" here, I think.
Right. And the magic item rules also tell you what to do if you're asked to use your spellcasting ability and don't have one: you use an ability modifier of 0 (but you proficiency bonus still applies to spell attacks and save DCs.)
OT: If a scroll was exposed submersion in water (or other liquid) would it be ruined? They are magic items so subject to some rules regarding magic item durability, but it's still paper...
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
I'd say yeah, but it's DM fiat. I'm not aware of a rule that says one way or the other.
It probably *isn't* paper. It's probably vellum, parchment, papyrus, or similar; actual paper is relatively rare in ye olden times.
Paper itself is probably more vulnerable to water than any of those alternatives. The inks used are more likely to have a problem with water than the medium itself - and since the inks are magically powerful in some way I can see them surviving longer in water than regular ink.