This topic has most likely already been posted but I can't find it. So here we go.
Who can use a spell scroll? And what ability check would be needed for a non-caster (if they can activate the scroll) would be required?
To me the DMG contradicts itself on pages 139 and 200. In "Wizards and Spells a young adventurer's guide" pg 32 re: spell scrolls says "Any creature who can understand a written language can activate a scroll. An adventuring party without a spellcaster can use scrolls to help with healing, protection, or other enchantment needed for their quest."
You can cast a spell from a spell scroll if the spell is on your spell list. As far as I'm aware, there are no classes that have a spell list without also having a spellcasting ability, meaning that it's generally not a concern for non-casters
Wizards and Spells, A Young Adventurer's Guide is not a rules product, but a high level introductory guide for younger players. As such, it simplifies a lot of things. It sounds like it's referring to a Scroll rather than a Spell Scroll. A Scroll is a magic item that produces an effect not necessarily found in spell form. The only such official item is the Scroll of Protection. This item is a Scroll, not a Spell Scroll and can be activated by any creature that can read the scroll. A Spell Scroll is an item containing a specific spell that follows the rules for spell lists, spellcasting abilities and checks etc.
The info on page 200 makes it so the Spell Scroll has to be on their spell list, and to cast it without a check they have to be of a level able to cast it. I think where the confusion comes in is that there are 2 types of scrolls. Spell scrolls and Protection scrolls. Anyone who is literate can use Protection spells and they have to have it on their spell list to be able to cast a spell scroll. I have had people get confused on this at least three times that I can remember in the past 3 years.
The info on page pg. 139 matches with Wizards and Spells: A Young Adventurer's Guide and says anyone has a chance to cast it. The rule on page 200 is more specific for the rule and covers the spell scrolls.
ya, note in the first sentence it says that one type of scroll is a spell scroll...the rest of the section talks about all types of magic scrolls (so you could have more types of scrolls besides spell scrolls and scrolls of protection that just aren't flushed out yet)....so general rules on page 139 and then specific rules on 200
i'm kinda bummed that they took out the requires an action language with errata...the idea that you can open a scroll case, pull out the proper scroll and then read it - all within a bonus action or a reaction is just silly (buddy just fell off a cliff? don't worry, you can take off your backpack, rummage through it, pull out your scroll of feather falling and then read the scroll...all before the poor sap hits the ground).
This topic has most likely already been posted but I can't find it. So here we go.
Who can use a spell scroll? And what ability check would be needed for a non-caster (if they can activate the scroll) would be required?
To me the DMG contradicts itself on pages 139 and 200. In "Wizards and Spells a young adventurer's guide" pg 32 re: spell scrolls says "Any creature who can understand a written language can activate a scroll. An adventuring party without a spellcaster can use scrolls to help with healing, protection, or other enchantment needed for their quest."
What's the right answer?
You can cast a spell from a spell scroll if the spell is on your spell list.
As far as I'm aware, there are no classes that have a spell list without also having a spellcasting ability, meaning that it's generally not a concern for non-casters
Wizards and Spells, A Young Adventurer's Guide is not a rules product, but a high level introductory guide for younger players. As such, it simplifies a lot of things. It sounds like it's referring to a Scroll rather than a Spell Scroll.
A Scroll is a magic item that produces an effect not necessarily found in spell form. The only such official item is the Scroll of Protection. This item is a Scroll, not a Spell Scroll and can be activated by any creature that can read the scroll.
A Spell Scroll is an item containing a specific spell that follows the rules for spell lists, spellcasting abilities and checks etc.
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The info on page 200 makes it so the Spell Scroll has to be on their spell list, and to cast it without a check they have to be of a level able to cast it. I think where the confusion comes in is that there are 2 types of scrolls. Spell scrolls and Protection scrolls. Anyone who is literate can use Protection spells and they have to have it on their spell list to be able to cast a spell scroll. I have had people get confused on this at least three times that I can remember in the past 3 years.
The info on page pg. 139 matches with Wizards and Spells: A Young Adventurer's Guide and says anyone has a chance to cast it. The rule on page 200 is more specific for the rule and covers the spell scrolls.
Jeremy Crawford in Sage Advice says unless it is on the spell list you cannot do it: https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/01/23/can-a-pc-with-no-spellcasting-ability-use-a-spell-scroll/ Though he has also stated that he lets thieves try to cast it https://www.sageadvice.eu/2015/10/14/thief-spell-scroll-and-use-magic-device/.
ya, note in the first sentence it says that one type of scroll is a spell scroll...the rest of the section talks about all types of magic scrolls (so you could have more types of scrolls besides spell scrolls and scrolls of protection that just aren't flushed out yet)....so general rules on page 139 and then specific rules on 200
i'm kinda bummed that they took out the requires an action language with errata...the idea that you can open a scroll case, pull out the proper scroll and then read it - all within a bonus action or a reaction is just silly (buddy just fell off a cliff? don't worry, you can take off your backpack, rummage through it, pull out your scroll of feather falling and then read the scroll...all before the poor sap hits the ground).
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Thank you all very much! This clears up a lot.
Follow up question:
Races that have inherent spellcasting (tieflings, for example), can they activate a spell scroll?
no, it has to be in that character's class's spell list....and only casters have spell lists.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
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Thank you!