Hey, they made it official!

[User3]

It's always nice to see house ruled stuff appear in the real books, and I've been running Staves this way for a long time:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20070216a

[Judging__Eagle]

Damnit, I keep breaking that website.

[bitnine]

The website is indeed down. However, such is no challenge with my mighty bitnine powers. Behold!

The short of it: runestaffs = attunable item (attune to one when preparing) that's the equivalent of 2-5 knowstones. I don't really think I can say anything bad about them, because they're gonna be golden for my current character. And it's on the preview page so I won't even have to get the book. (Kay, it says usually 2-5 and lists an example with 6.)

Example: Assassins, 12th level (greater invisibility,obscuring mist,pass without trace,poison) = 10,000 gp.

Note: Even though this is normally a bigger bennie to sorcerers, attunement can be done whenever preparing spells. Without a limiting clause, wizards get the extra mojo of leaving a slot unprepared for a 10-minute midday switch, which I bet they missed.

Formula not given, but looks to me that they cost between 1k/2k * total spell levels.

[Judging__Eagle]

Well, it's up now.

i should have thought of using the cached page, I use that feature so often when looking for specific word instances on search results that yield web forums or manuals.


It's interesting; but blows since I'm using a divine caster (Archivist) and I've gotten away from arcane casters. I'm sure there that are divine Runestaves though.

[Username17]

Holy shit, why did they make it so fvcking complicated?

It's a staff. Holding it lets you cast different spells using up your spell slots. Simple, right? Hellz no!

Using the staff negates the somatic component of the spells you cast, but doesn't negate Arcane Spell Failure. I don't even know how that works, since Arcane Spell Failure only applies to spells with somatic components and is story-wise justified as the somatic components being interfered with by the armor.

Ugh. It's a completely obvious idea that has been in use for like 7 years. Why they felt the need to throw down all those lame exceptions and counter-clauses I will not understand.

-Username17

[bitnine]

Wait, I had missed the three times a day crap in there. Bah. So a wizard can carry duplicates and use his 10 minute prepare to hotsync in a fresh one and the sorcerer can't when his runs dry. That I don't care for.

[Endovior]

Well, there's some excuse regarding the somatic component thing, as technically, you can't cast spells with somatic components while your hands are full, and there's even a feat that negates it... but practically, this rule is seldom if ever observed.

That being said, it's quite tainted with WotC-silliness; and there's no defending all that.

[Username17]

I want all of you girls to pick up your Player's Handbook and turn it to page 86, and read the first paragraph on the left-hand side.

Now consider this wisdom in light of an item that allows you to sacrifice a spell slot to be able to cast a specific arcane spell.

-Username17

[Catharz]

1171861522[/unixtime]]I want all of you girls to pick up your Player's Handbook and turn it to page 86, and read the first paragraph on the left-hand side.

Now consider this wisdom in light of an item that allows you to sacrifice a spell slot to be able to cast a specific arcane spell.

-Username17

Wow. The Lidda example makes it unimpeachable.

[Cielingcat]

What, you expected something intended for Sorcerers to not be better for everyone else?

[Crissa]

Is the staff 3/day or each of the spells 3/day? I didn't quite get that part.

When I want a funny effect, I make it 3/day.

But... Why when preparing spells?

If they want wizards or sorcerors to know more spells, why don't they just add... More spells to the class?

-Crissa

[MrWaeseL]

Because at will is brooookeeeeen!

[NineInchNall]

Well, you still have to "manipulate the staff" in order to fulfill the somatic requirement. I suppose that manipulating one's staff requires a certain amount of precision. We wouldn't one the staff pointing the wrong way when it blows, now would we?