6/4/2013 - Free Wallpaper (and Mini Release)
5/29/2013 - Important: GiantITP Server Compromised
2/28/2013 - Update on Thumb
12/31/2012 - There's a New Comic
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Order of the Stick 894 The Last Room
Erfworld 163 The End of Book One
Erfworld Now at Erfworld.com!
RSS Feeds: OOTS

The Duke's Wolf, Part Four by Amber E. Scott
The Duke's Wolf, Part Three by Amber E. Scott
The Duke's Wolf, Part Two by Amber E. Scott

The New World, Part 9: Barbarians by Rich Burlew
The New World, Part 8: Gnomes by Rich Burlew
The New World, Part 7: Names and Cultures by Rich Burlew
Looking for the Gaming Articles?

 



Welcome back! Be sure you have read and understand the Forum Rules.


Go Back   Giant in the Playground Forums > Gaming > Homebrew Design
Register FAQ Members List Mark Forums Read End

Homebrew Design Roll up your sleeves and get working: there's lots of homebrewin' to be done! Post your custom creation for critiques or review those of your peers.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 10-19-2012, 05:47 PM   Top  -  End  -  #1
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Wand Adept

Oh, I have something for that!
Alzrea, Wand Adept

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Cha: 14+
Use magic Device: 8 ranks
Spellcraft: 4 ranks
Special: Must have used and depleted at least one wand by yourself.

Class Skills
The Wand Adept's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int).
Skills Points at Each Level: 6 + int

Hit Dice: d8

LevelBase Attack BonusFort SaveRef SaveWill SaveSpecialSpells Per Day
1st
+0
+0
+2
+2
Wand Focus, Identify Wand--
2nd
+1
+0
+3
+3
Metawand Ability+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
3rd
+2
+1
+3
+3
Wand Quick draw+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
4th
+3
+1
+4
+4
Metawand Ability--
5th
+3
+1
+4
+4
Craft Wand+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
6th
+4
+2
+5
+5
Metawand Ability+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
7th
+5
+2
+5
+5
Push the Limits--
8th
+6/+1
+2
+6
+6
Metawand Ability+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
9th
+6/+1
+3
+6
+6
Recharge+1 level of arcane spellcasting class
10th
+7/+2
+3
+7
+7
Wand Mastery, Metawand Ability--

Weapon Proficiency's : A Wand Adept gains no new proficiency's.

Spellcasting: At each level indicated on the table, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a Wand Adept, you must decide which class gains each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

If you did not have a spellcasting class before entering this prestige class, then you gain no benefit.

Wand Focus (Su): A Wand Adept adds his Charisma modifier to the DC, and his class levels to the caster level of any wand he wields.

Identify Wand (Su): A Wand Adept can identify the spell stored in a wand by handling and examining the wand for 1 minute and making a successful Spellcraft check (DC 30 + the level of the stored spell). A Wand Adept can use this ability a number of times per day equal to half his class level + his Cha modifier.

Metawand (Ex): The Wand Adept learns how to manipulate the eldritch energies held within the wand. At 2nd level the Wand adept gains one Metawand ability and another every 2 levels thereafter.

To use a Metawand ability, the Wand Adept must know the Metawand ability and expend an additional amount of charges listed. Doing this has no affect on the activation time, unless it is the Quicken Metawand ability, which makes it a swift action.

The Metawand affect is the exact same as its Metamagic counterpart. There is no limit to the amount of affects you may use at once (but only once per affect).

The cost of these abilities cannot be modified by feats that reduce the cost of Metamagic feats.

Spoiler


Wand Quick Draw (Ex): At 3rd level a Wand Adept can produce a wand stored at his belt or a bandolier as a free action, as if he were drawing a weapon with the Quick Draw Feat.

Craft Wand: At 5th level a Wand Adept is able to recreate wands from the extensive knowledge and use of using them constantly, he gains the Craft Wand feat as a bonus feat, if he already has this feat he gains a bonus feat for which he qualifies for.

The Wand Adept does not need to know the spell he is putting into the wand, he instead emulates the arcane patterns and flows that he has learned from his experience of using them. He must make a Use Magic Device check (DC 20 + Caster level) to emulate the spell normally required.

Push the Limits (Su): At 7th level, the Wand Adept as mastered the art of utilizing every last ounce of energy, whne the Wand Adept uses a wand he may have the spell be affected by the Enhance Metamagic feat. A Wand Adept can use this ability a number of times per day equal to half his class level + his Cha modifier.

Recharge (Su): At 9th level, the Wand Adept gains the ability to recharge the wands he has made. For each point of Charisma modifier the Wand Adept may add +5 charges to a wand per day. These charges do not need to all go in the same wand and can be freely distributed.

Wand Mastery (Su): At 10th level, the Wand Adept has mastered the art of using the Wand, he can use his effective character level as his caster level when using wands.

Notes
Spoiler


Change Log
Spoiler
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler

Last edited by BelGareth : 11-14-2012 at 10:11 PM.
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2012, 08:12 PM   Top  -  End  -  #2
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Feats

Feats

Extra Metawand
Spoiler


Wand Spell Penetration
Spoiler


Greater Wand Spell Penetration
Spoiler


Improved Wand Focus
Spoiler


Greater Wand Focus
Spoiler


Extra Recharge
Spoiler


Metawand Aptitude
Spoiler


Wand Opportunist
Spoiler


Wand Savant
Spoiler


Craft Greater Wand[Epic]
Spoiler


Craft Supreme Wand[Epic]
Spoiler
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler

Last edited by BelGareth : 10-20-2012 at 11:45 AM.
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:03 AM   Top  -  End  -  #3
JoshuaZ
Ogre in the Playground
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: 
Boston, MA
Default Re: Feats

You should specify which abilities are (Ex) and which are (Su). Push the Limits is extremely powerful and should probably be reduced to a certain number of uses daily.

It also might make sense to have this progress spellcasting at at least a few levels (maybe ever even level?).

Regarding the feats some of them are more balanced than others.
Extra Recharge is quite weak. With only +1 a day I have trouble seeing anyone ever taking that.

Some of them also have wording that needs work. I'm not completely sure what you mean by Wand Savant's "You provoke out to 10ft. when holding a wand"- I presume you mean that others provoke attacks of opportunity with the wand on you?
__________________
My homebrew:

Spoiler


Worthwhile links:

Age of Warriors
JoshuaZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:33 AM   Top  -  End  -  #4
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Wand Costs

Quote:
Originally Posted by d20srd.com
To create a magic wand, a character needs a small supply of materials, the most obvious being a baton or the pieces of the wand to be assembled. The cost for the materials is subsumed in the cost for creating the wand—375 gp × the level of the spell × the level of the caster. Wands are always fully charged (50 charges) when created.
Market Prices
Spell LevelClr, Drd, WizSorBrdPal,Rgr
0375 gp375 gp375 gp
1st750 gp750 gp1,500 gp1,500 gp
2nd4,500 gp6,000 gp6,000 gp6,000 gp
3rd11,250 gp13,500 gp15,750 gp11,250 gp
4th21,000 gp24,000 gp30,000 gp21,000 gp
5th33,750 gp37,500 gp48,750 gp
6th49,500 gp54,000 gp72,000 gp
7th68,250 gp73,500 gp
8th90,000 gp9,6000 gp
9th114,750 gp121,500 gp
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler

Last edited by BelGareth : 10-21-2012 at 11:37 PM.
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:39 AM   Top  -  End  -  #5
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Feats

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshuaZ View Post
You should specify which abilities are (Ex) and which are (Su).
Oops, I forgot to add those...

Push the Limits is extremely powerful and should probably be reduced to a certain number of uses daily.
Hmm, I strongly disagree, the user is going to be mainly using 4th level spells (albeit heavily modded from Metawand abilities) vs regular spell casters who will, by that level, casting 7th level spells...But you might have a point...

It also might make sense to have this progress spellcasting at at least a few levels (maybe ever even level?).
This might be a good idea, although it was designed for non spellcasters...but you're right, adding a few might be doable for those classes that want to specialize in wands but not lose CL.

Regarding the feats some of them are more balanced than others.
Extra Recharge is quite weak. With only +1 a day I have trouble seeing anyone ever taking that.
Actually, thats +1 to your effective CHA mod so a total of +5 charges per day. Seems ok to me.

Some of them also have wording that needs work. I'm not completely sure what you mean by Wand Savant's "You provoke out to 10ft. when holding a wand"- I presume you mean that others provoke attacks of opportunity with the wand on you?
You are right, I had a hard time writing that ability.
Thanks for your input, remarks above.

EDIT: I added the spellcasting, makes sense.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler

Last edited by BelGareth : 10-20-2012 at 11:52 AM.
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:41 AM   Top  -  End  -  #6
Amechra
Ogre in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 
Where I live.
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Wand Savant can be reworded as "while wielding a wand, you may perform attacks of opportunity with your wand, and threaten out to a range of 10'."
Amechra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:45 AM   Top  -  End  -  #7
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amechra View Post
Wand Savant can be reworded as "while wielding a wand, you may perform attacks of opportunity with your wand, and threaten out to a range of 10'."
In the words of Scooter. SWEEUUT!!

Thanks, I was about to update that.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 06:22 PM   Top  -  End  -  #8
Quellian-dyrae
Ogre in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 
CA
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BelGareth View Post
Interestingly enough the Formula 375 gp × spell level × caster level is wrong. The above table (and it's extrapolated from the SRD table) strangely enough has the caster level doubled, with no explanation. So if you want to have your wand prices elevate at a standard rate to those wands that are universally accepted in all games use the above table.
I think the formula is specifying the creation cost, which is always half of the market price.
__________________
"A role playing game is three things: it is an interactive story, a game of chance, and a process in critical thinking."

"If brevity is the soul of wit, I'm witty like a vampire."
Quellian-dyrae is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2012, 11:30 PM   Top  -  End  -  #9
bobthe6th
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: 
Under the midnight sun
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

This feels like it could use an ability that let you burn wand charges to use it like a weapon. Or, have a base "free" weapon damage/ reach, then you could burn a charge or two to increase damage/range/crit(range or multiplier)/enhancement bonus/special abilities.

like, you can use any wand as a one handed ranged weapon dealing 1d4 damage 20/x2 crit, or a light one handed melee weapon dealing 1d6 damage 20/x2 crit. Then you could burn one charge for 20/x3 or 19-20/x2, or two charges for 20/x4 or 18-20/x2.

simple, but makes a wand a proper weapon.

other things, it would be cool if this had AFCs for different classes. like a warlock learning to add shapes/essences to wands by burning charges, or an artificer learning to charge wands instantly from his crafting reserve.
__________________
avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!

my home brew. you should PEACH them...
Telekineticist
Razor
Shield
blasterv4
mindbender
bobthe6th is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2012, 11:37 PM   Top  -  End  -  #10
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quellian-dyrae View Post
I think the formula is specifying the creation cost, which is always half of the market price.
You are right, nice catch.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobthe6th View Post
This feels like it could use an ability that let you burn wand charges to use it like a weapon. Or, have a base "free" weapon damage/ reach, then you could burn a charge or two to increase damage/range/crit(range or multiplier)/enhancement bonus/special abilities.

like, you can use any wand as a one handed ranged weapon dealing 1d4 damage 20/x2 crit, or a light one handed melee weapon dealing 1d6 damage 20/x2 crit. Then you could burn one charge for 20/x3 or 19-20/x2, or two charges for 20/x4 or 18-20/x2.

simple, but makes a wand a proper weapon.

other things, it would be cool if this had AFCs for different classes. like a warlock learning to add shapes/essences to wands by burning charges, or an artificer learning to charge wands instantly from his crafting reserve.
The weapon idea to me, is a bit flimsy, I don't see how a little stick could become a weapon, unless you fluff up the ability to use the magical energy therein, but that, to me, would cost charges...just not what I wanted to do with the class....

However, I do like the Warlock idea...that is awesome.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2012, 09:08 PM   Top  -  End  -  #11
bobthe6th
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: 
Under the midnight sun
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BelGareth View Post
The weapon idea to me, is a bit flimsy, I don't see how a little stick could become a weapon, unless you fluff up the ability to use the magical energy therein, but that, to me, would cost charges...just not what I wanted to do with the class....
easy, the energy needed to make a basic blade is so minimal it is not missed. or, the wand adept can work the wand with that much more efficiency, getting an effective 1/10 of an extra charge they can make a light saber with.

wand opportunist looks fun, and could quickly be broken by AOOing with a disintegrate. giving a legitimate weapon is better.

Quote:
However, I do like the Warlock idea...that is awesome.
everything is better with warlock.
__________________
avatar by Szilard, thank you sir for the fine work!

my home brew. you should PEACH them...
Telekineticist
Razor
Shield
blasterv4
mindbender
bobthe6th is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2012, 12:20 AM   Top  -  End  -  #12
EdroGrimshell
Firbolg in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BelGareth View Post
The weapon idea to me, is a bit flimsy, I don't see how a little stick could become a weapon, unless you fluff up the ability to use the magical energy therein, but that, to me, would cost charges...just not what I wanted to do with the class....

However, I do like the Warlock idea...that is awesome.
It's the same as Reserve Feats.

Also, how does this intreract with Eternal Wands?
__________________
Quotes
Spoiler

Spoiler


The Hub, for PTA & PTU community building. If you're interested, take a look.

Last edited by EdroGrimshell : 10-24-2012 at 12:40 AM.
EdroGrimshell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2012, 11:08 AM   Top  -  End  -  #13
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdroGrimshell View Post
It's the same as Reserve Feats.

Also, how does this intreract with Eternal Wands?
Good point, I will have to develop an ACL for that...

Also, Eternal wands...

Can enjoy Metawand abilities with a cost of 0 but not anything else. I'll add some text regarding this.

It also enjoys all the other benefits like a standard wand.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2012, 10:06 PM   Top  -  End  -  #14
zetsu1919
Orc in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: 
Maryland
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

how does this class work for someone without any arcane spellcasting levels
zetsu1919 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2012, 10:09 PM   Top  -  End  -  #15
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zetsu1919 View Post
how does this class work for someone without any arcane spellcasting levels
The spellcasting progression is a just a nice boon for any PC's with spellcasting classes that want to go into it, it's not necessary.

In fact, the prereq's (which i need to modify slightly) allow a non caster to take the class, allowing them to use their class level and Cha for DC's and caster levels.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2012, 10:13 PM   Top  -  End  -  #16
Morcleon
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: 
General Vicinity of Terra
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zetsu1919 View Post
how does this class work for someone without any arcane spellcasting levels
They don't get the +1 CL thing. But they still get the normal class features.

@Bel- Perhaps change all "Cha" references to "primary spellcasting ability"? It'll let artificers use this class too.
__________________
Avatar of Furude Setsuna, by Telasi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephit View Post
Don't worry, I like my characters the way I like my coffee: Strong, but with no cheese in it.
"I'm prepared for anything! Unless one continues to fight without succumbing to the pain of defeat, it is impossible to achieve victory!"
-Hanyuu

Nexus Characters
Morcleon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 10:55 AM   Top  -  End  -  #17
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Since wands by nature are limited to 4th level spells, I think introducing epic feats to allow wands of higher levels might be overpowered.

You should note that that it takes Divine Rank 6 to create wands that exceed the normal limits for such items. See Craft Artifact salient ability. While not everyone uses the rules from Deities and Demigods, you should at least take them into consideration or mention this information.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations

Last edited by Debihuman : 11-17-2012 at 10:58 AM.
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:01 AM   Top  -  End  -  #18
Morcleon
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: 
General Vicinity of Terra
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Debihuman View Post
Since wands by nature are limited to 4th level spells, I think introducing epic feats to allow wands of higher levels might be overpowered.

You should note that that it takes Divine Rank 6 to create wands that exceed the normal limits for such items. See Craft Artifact salient ability. While not everyone uses the rules from Deities and Demigods, you should at least take them into consideration or mention this information.

Debby
It also takes ML 17 for a psion to craft a 9th level dorje.

Wands themselves are already rather underpowered, and by the time you get to epic level, there are a lot more overpowered things than being able to shoot a certain spell at minimum caster level 50 times for a huge chunk of money.
__________________
Avatar of Furude Setsuna, by Telasi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephit View Post
Don't worry, I like my characters the way I like my coffee: Strong, but with no cheese in it.
"I'm prepared for anything! Unless one continues to fight without succumbing to the pain of defeat, it is impossible to achieve victory!"
-Hanyuu

Nexus Characters
Morcleon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:09 AM   Top  -  End  -  #19
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Sorry, but I'm not that familiar with psionics.

Wands are supposed to be weak. If you want more power, make a rod. You can gain the craft epic rod feat. Rods are underutilized in D&D while wands tend to be over-utilized.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations

Last edited by Debihuman : 11-17-2012 at 11:10 AM.
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:15 AM   Top  -  End  -  #20
Morcleon
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: 
General Vicinity of Terra
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Debihuman View Post
Sorry, but I'm not that familiar with psionics.

Wands are supposed to be weak. If you want more power, make a rod. You can gain the craft epic rod feat. Rods are underutilized in D&D while wands tend to be over-utilized.

Debby
Wands may be weak, but it's logical to assume that someone at the power of Elminster or Mordenkainen (ie, epic level) has figured out a way to make wands more powerful than they are, if only to avoid having to prepare those situationally useful spells.

Also, Deities and Demigods wasn't made using the ELH rules, and due to that, most of the deities in that book could probably be taken down with a well optimized Lv 30.
__________________
Avatar of Furude Setsuna, by Telasi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephit View Post
Don't worry, I like my characters the way I like my coffee: Strong, but with no cheese in it.
"I'm prepared for anything! Unless one continues to fight without succumbing to the pain of defeat, it is impossible to achieve victory!"
-Hanyuu

Nexus Characters
Morcleon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:26 AM   Top  -  End  -  #21
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

What used to be simple wands in 2nd edition are mostly rods now. So no, Elminster's power isn't coming from a wand, it's coming from a rod. It's esthetic choice because we're used to pointy sticks rather than metal ones. This is because there was an overhaul in the magic system between editions.

Here are the 3.5 definitions of a wand and a rod:

Definition of a wand: A wand is a thin baton that contains a single spell of 4th level or lower. Each wand has 50 charges when created, and each charge expended allows the user to use the wand’s spell one time. A wand that runs out of charges is just a stick.

A typical wand is 6 inches to 12 inches long and about Ľ inch thick, and often weighs no more than 1 ounce. Most wands are wood, but some are bone. A rare few are metal, glass, or even ceramic, but these are quite exotic. Occasionally, a wand has a gem or some device at its tip, and most are decorated with carvings or runes. A typical wand has AC 7, 5 hit points, hardness 5, and a break DC of 16.

Definition of a rod: Rods are scepter-like devices that have unique magical powers and do not usually have charges. Anyone can use a rod. Rods weigh approximately 5 pounds. They range from 2 feet to 3 feet long and are usually made of iron or some other metal. (Many, as noted in their descriptions, can function as light maces or clubs due to their sturdy construction.) These sturdy items have AC 9, 10 hit points, hardness 10, and a break DC of 27.

This is why the previous edition wand of wonder became a rod of wonder in 3rd edition. Elminster's "wand" is a rod if you want it to cast higher level spells or contain several different spells.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:32 AM   Top  -  End  -  #22
Morcleon
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: 
General Vicinity of Terra
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

If it's just aesthetic, where's the harm in letting an epic character get wands of higher levels than 4th?
__________________
Avatar of Furude Setsuna, by Telasi.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mephit View Post
Don't worry, I like my characters the way I like my coffee: Strong, but with no cheese in it.
"I'm prepared for anything! Unless one continues to fight without succumbing to the pain of defeat, it is impossible to achieve victory!"
-Hanyuu

Nexus Characters
Morcleon is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 11:43 AM   Top  -  End  -  #23
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Why not just call it it a rod because that's what it really is?

The reason for this was to standardize the difference between rods and wands. The only reason rods get no love is that people have this image of a wizard and his pointy stick stuck in our collective memory from Gandalf to Elminster and Harry Potter.

So now we're stuck with sucky wands and nobody really wants to be a wizard with a rod. I get it. However, I'm not willing to rewrite the rules just for the look of a wand.

Rename this class as Rod Adept and watch me beat the pants of the Wand Adept.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2012, 02:20 PM   Top  -  End  -  #24
Amechra
Ogre in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 
Where I live.
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

There are tricks that can put any spell of up to 8th level onto a wand.

It doubles charge cost, but eh.
Amechra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 02:08 AM   Top  -  End  -  #25
BelGareth
Troll in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 
ಠ_ಠ
Gender: Male
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Debihuman View Post
Since wands by nature are limited to 4th level spells, I think introducing epic feats to allow wands of higher levels might be overpowered.
I couldn't disagree more, those epic feats are attainable at 20th and 30th levels, being able to craft wands up to 6th level at 20th in comparison to other classes and abilities is insignificant at the very best.

So what they can make a wand with a 6th level spell with 50 charges, at this level, pre epic spellcasters should be able to easily overcome 6th level spells, and be able to trump the ability of 50 6th level spells in an item. The comparison is mute, because, 7th 8th and 9th spells are so more potent, and will be used more over the lesser spell levels. This merely allows a non caster to utilize the spells at these higher levels (5th and 6th) whereas they couldn't before, giving them a little room to bridge the gap in power between Tier 1/2 classes and tier 3-4 classes. And we're talking about pre epic any ways, balance at that level is all speculative and up to the DM to mitigate.

And then there is the other feat, allowing players to craft wands up to 9th spells at 30th is overpowered? I fail to see how this is remotely possible, now for this arguments sake (and everyone's sanity) we'll assume no Epic spells, is it still to much to have 9th level spells in a wand. Hell no, 30th level PC's will have a myriad of items that grant 9th spells, Epic destinies and a barrage of PRC abilities and capstones. 9th level spells or access to plentiful resources for them do not break a game or a character at such a high level.

At that level of gameplay, even more so than the pre epic levels, the DM is really the deciding factor on what is allowed or what can be done, so again, it's going to be up to the DM to mitigate any and all power derived from the PC's.

Quote:
You should note that that it takes Divine Rank 6 to create wands that exceed the normal limits for such items. See Craft Artifact salient ability. While not everyone uses the rules from Deities and Demigods, you should at least take them into consideration or mention this information.
Deities and Demigods while a great book for concepts and ideas is a horribly written book. It was also written in 3.0 and seriously lacking in any level of balance, and as Morcleon pointed out before the EPH was written (which has it's own issues).

Basically, why I have it in there is to allow this PRC to be useful at higher levels, taking a prestige class shouldn't cripple you at higher levels, because the abilities in it don't allow you to grow in power. It seems only logical to allow the improvement of wands, especially to a class that specializes in making and using them. When you take into consideration that you can make wondrous items that do the same exact thing (within the rules of item creation) for roughly the same cost with no spell cap, it seems only the logical thing to allow.

And it isn't a rod adept, because rods are expensive, this class is designed for 5th level characters to utilize wands even more so and gain an edge with them.
__________________
Extradimensional Spoiler
Spoiler

Last edited by BelGareth : 11-18-2012 at 02:10 AM.
BelGareth is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 09:56 AM   Top  -  End  -  #26
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Except the basic premise of epic wands is all wrong. A rod and wand do similar things. If want a wand that casts 9th level spells, all you need to do is make it a rod. That is why there is an Epic Rod feat but no Epic Wand Feat. Wands are limited to 4th level spells but rods aren't. Plus you can put metamagic components on rods, which you can't on wands unless you adhere to the level limit. Plus, when you create a wand it has 50 charges. When you create a rod, they generally don't. Plus ANYONE can use a rod.

I understand the aesthetics of wanting a wand that does what a rod does, but it's kinda silly when you can already DO all that.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 06:22 PM   Top  -  End  -  #27
Amechra
Ogre in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 
Where I live.
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Wands and Rods are actually quite distinct, not just for the reasons that you mention (which are great indicators that "higher level wands just do the same thing as rods" is malarkey)

After all, stuff like Dual Wand Wielder, Wand Master, Wand Modulation, that Warforged feat that let's you cast spells off wands as if they were runestaves, and a few other options that I forget about apply just to Wands, not to Rods.

After all, the higher-level version of Wands are Sceptres, which have one spell of up to 7th level and another spell of up to 4th level in them, both of which pull from the same pool of charges.

Hell, you might as well change the rules so that Staves count as wands for the purposes of your class features.

Or, as just a quick thought, add some method to use Eternal Wands as wands for the purposes of class features; that would be sweet!
Amechra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-20-2012, 05:00 AM   Top  -  End  -  #28
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

Amechra: if your post was directed to me, I said that rods were more powerful versions of wands, not the reverse.

First, the feat is Double Wand Wielder from Complete Arcane and it allows you to use 2 wands though the 2nd wand expends 2 charges instead of 1.

Second, Wand Mastery feat from Eberron Campaign Setting allows you to increase the DC of your wands by 2 and increases their effective caster level by 2.

Wand Modulation is a spell (also from Eberron Campaign setting) that allows you to temporarily change spell in your wand to a different lower level one.

Scepters are from Lost Empires of Faerűn and require the Craft Scepter feat. Scepters got no love after that book. There's not a single scepter in the Magic Item Compendium.

Eternal wands are also from Eberron Campaign setting.
Quote:
An eternal wand holds an arcane spell of 3rd level or lower with a maximum caster level of 6th. Unlike a traditional wand that holds 50 charges, an eternal wand allows any character who can cast arcane spells to use the spell contained in it twice per day.
You also need the Craft Wondrous Item feat to make these rather than the Craft Wand feat.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-20-2012, 09:43 PM   Top  -  End  -  #29
Amechra
Ogre in the Playground
 
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 
Where I live.
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

I was basically just sayin' that rods and wands aren't the same thing; a rod doesn't store a particular spell, it has it's own unique effect (like a Rod of Metamagic, a Rod of Sanctuary, a Rod of Lordly Might...)

I also already know what the different effects do (thanks for clarifying them for everyone else; seems I forgot to); I was writing a handbook on wands at one point.

And why not give Sceptres more love, then? After all, unlike Rods, which have unique effects, Sceptres just hold spells, and so you can design whatever Sceptre you damn well please.

And my suggestion for Eternal Wands is more along the lines of a:

Class Feature 1: You may treat Eternal Wands as if they were Wands of the same spell as they normally hold for all intents and purposes (so you can apply stuff like the metawand abilities of this PrC to it)

Class Feature 2: Choose X number of Wands that you own (could just be one at 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th levels, or it could be 1/level, or whatever); they are now Eternal Wands, giving them 2/charges a day, etc.

That seem fair?

Eternal Sceptres would be cool, also; spend a charge to get the lower level effect, spend both charges to get a bigger effect? Sounds good to me!
Amechra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2012, 06:27 PM   Top  -  End  -  #30
Debihuman
Ogre in the Playground
 
PirateGirl
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: 
On the Good Ship Lolipop
Gender: Female
Default Re: Wand Adept [3.5 PRC, PEACH]

While rods are more expensive to make, they don't run out of charges like wands do. Which 9th level spell do you want your wand/rod to have? Let;s say Summon Monster XI.

A wand of summon monster IX requires caster level 23 (because you have to have 2 epic feats). craft wand feat, master wand, craft greater wand, craft supreme wand. 375 gp x 9 x 23 = 77,625 gp base price to make.

I can make a rod of monster summon IX with craft rod, CL 17. A use-activated rod is more expensive: 9x17x2,000=306,000, but your wand is useless after 50 charges where the rod won't be.

A rod of summon monster IX will still be good after you've made 4 such wands of summoning. If you intend to summon more than 200 monsters, the rod is more cost efficient. If I want to limit it to 3 uses per day the cost is reduced to 184,,337 gp (provided I've done my math correctly). 306,00 divided by (5 divided by 3).

The question then really becomes how often are you going to use this item. Don't forget, anyone can use a rod so you can give it to someone else to use while you are doing else.

Debby
__________________
P.E.A.C.H. Please Evaluate And Critique Honestly. Being nicer and kinder doesn't hurt either.

Please, please, please when using non-core material, cite to the books. There are too many books to wade through to find the one with the feat, special ability or spell you use.

I've got a red pen and I'm not afraid to use it.

my creations
Debihuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:23 PM.



Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Usage of this site, including but not limited to making or editing a post or private message or the creation of an account, constitutes acceptance of the Forum Rules.