So I did some research into casting spells from scrolls because it was a topic that came up due to dividing random spells into a book and scribing them down to scroll form at a local wizard's place. DMG errata says that reaction spells cast from scrolls are cast as reaction, and scrolls are activated by reading out the scroll's contents. For example, if the scroll for Feather Fall reads HELPMEI'MFALLING out loud, you shouldn't need to dig it out of your pocket if you take a fall? Edit: Scroll crumbles, life continues falling at a feather's pace afterwards, of course.
A What if scenario: Someone has managed to pawn a bunch of spell scrolls on you and reads them out loud due to having memorized their content? Is it possible to read a scroll on someone else's person and activate the effects for yourself? Thanks and sorry in advance if this one's an already solved scenario.
its not a loophole, just a dumb rule. yes, technically you can cast both bonus actions and reactions from scrolls - which is, as you point out, ridiculous. Our homebrew rule is that all spells from scrolls with a cast time of one bonus action or reaction take an action to cast. That really limits reaction spell scrolls to weird situations where someone holds their action with the specific scroll in hand waiting for the trigger - but too bad (at our table anyway).
opinionated summary: reaction/bonus action scrolls are legal but stupid.
on your second question, first part doesn't make sense but i'd say you'd have to spend an action to try to take the scroll - then cast it...unless that other person is just standing there, with the scroll open like a book stand, so you can read it.
its not a loophole, just a dumb rule. yes, technically you can cast both bonus actions and reactions from scrolls - which is, as you point out, ridiculous. Our homebrew rule is that all spells from scrolls with a cast time of one bonus action or reaction take an action to cast. That really limits reaction spell scrolls to weird situations where someone holds their action with the specific scroll in hand waiting for the trigger - but too bad (at our table anyway).
opinionated summary: reaction/bonus action scrolls are legal but stupid.
The "RAW" way to justify what you're doing at your table is to rule that using a scroll requires the Use an Object action
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Reciting isn't the same as reading. Also, casting a spell is still casting a spell, whether you use an item or a spell slot. That means you can't bypass the bonus action spell restriction just by using scrolls.
The "RAW" way to justify what you're doing at your table is to rule that using a scroll requires the Use an Object action
hmm, hadn't actually thought about that but i really like it. That ends up being two actions for most spells then...one to Use an Object to get out the scroll, then one to cast it. :)
The "RAW" way to justify what you're doing at your table is to rule that using a scroll requires the Use an Object action
hmm, hadn't actually thought about that but i really like it. That ends up being two actions for most spells then...one to Use an Object to get out the scroll, then one to cast it. :)
thanks
You can say pulling out the scroll is part of the casting action if you want, in the same way drawing a sword is part of the Attack action, but if the spell is a BA or reaction to cast instead, needing an action to 'prep' it becomes a bigger deal
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
This is why my Lore Bard pasted her scroll of Feather Fall on the back of her Instrument of the Bards :D (not that an opportunity to use it actually came up)
And you get a free object interaction on your turn, like drawing a weapon, so you can certainly pull out a spell scroll to cast a bonus action spell with no issue.
So I did some research into casting spells from scrolls because it was a topic that came up due to dividing random spells into a book and scribing them down to scroll form at a local wizard's place. DMG errata says that reaction spells cast from scrolls are cast as reaction, and scrolls are activated by reading out the scroll's contents. For example, if the scroll for Feather Fall reads HELPMEI'MFALLING out loud, you shouldn't need to dig it out of your pocket if you take a fall? Edit: Scroll crumbles, life continues falling at a feather's pace afterwards, of course.
A What if scenario: Someone has managed to pawn a bunch of spell scrolls on you and reads them out loud due to having memorized their content? Is it possible to read a scroll on someone else's person and activate the effects for yourself? Thanks and sorry in advance if this one's an already solved scenario.
its not a loophole, just a dumb rule. yes, technically you can cast both bonus actions and reactions from scrolls - which is, as you point out, ridiculous. Our homebrew rule is that all spells from scrolls with a cast time of one bonus action or reaction take an action to cast. That really limits reaction spell scrolls to weird situations where someone holds their action with the specific scroll in hand waiting for the trigger - but too bad (at our table anyway).
opinionated summary: reaction/bonus action scrolls are legal but stupid.
on your second question, first part doesn't make sense but i'd say you'd have to spend an action to try to take the scroll - then cast it...unless that other person is just standing there, with the scroll open like a book stand, so you can read it.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
The "RAW" way to justify what you're doing at your table is to rule that using a scroll requires the Use an Object action
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Reciting isn't the same as reading. Also, casting a spell is still casting a spell, whether you use an item or a spell slot. That means you can't bypass the bonus action spell restriction just by using scrolls.
hmm, hadn't actually thought about that but i really like it. That ends up being two actions for most spells then...one to Use an Object to get out the scroll, then one to cast it. :)
thanks
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
You can say pulling out the scroll is part of the casting action if you want, in the same way drawing a sword is part of the Attack action, but if the spell is a BA or reaction to cast instead, needing an action to 'prep' it becomes a bigger deal
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
This is why my Lore Bard pasted her scroll of Feather Fall on the back of her Instrument of the Bards :D (not that an opportunity to use it actually came up)
And you get a free object interaction on your turn, like drawing a weapon, so you can certainly pull out a spell scroll to cast a bonus action spell with no issue.