Using a Wand/Scroll

[JeenLeen]

What (or where, if you can't legally write it out) are the rules on how to use a scroll or a wand?

Some particular questions:
-can you use it if the spell is not on your class list
-can you use it if the spell is on your class list but you are too low-level to cast it
-what roll, if any, do you make to use it

We found some decent scrolls in our last dungeon, but the GM wasn't sure where the rules were. He found some text in the Gamemaster's Guide that seemed to hint anybody would use a scroll but also some stuff about bonuses to rolling to activate, but nothing about when you had to roll or what you roll.
I'm asking about wands as well since I reckon that might come up eventually. (...are wands a thing in 5e like they are in 3.5, just rarer?)

[Plaguescarred]

What (or where, if you can't legally write it out) are the rules on how to use a scroll or a wand?

Some particular questions:
-can you use it if the spell is not on your class list
-can you use it if the spell is on your class list but you are too low-level to cast it
-what roll, if any, do you make to use it

We found some decent scrolls in our last dungeon, but the GM wasn't sure where the rules were. He found some text in the Gamemaster's Guide that seemed to hint anybody would use a scroll but also some stuff about bonuses to rolling to activate, but nothing about when you had to roll or what you roll.
I'm asking about wands as well since I reckon that might come up eventually. (...are wands a thing in 5e like they are in 3.5, just rarer?)

If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. 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. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust.

[Ninja_Prawn]

What (or where, if you can't legally write it out) are the rules on how to use a scroll or a wand?

Some particular questions:
-can you use it if the spell is not on your class list
-can you use it if the spell is on your class list but you are too low-level to cast it
-what roll, if any, do you make to use it

We found some decent scrolls in our last dungeon, but the GM wasn't sure where the rules were. He found some text in the Gamemaster's Guide that seemed to hint anybody would use a scroll but also some stuff about bonuses to rolling to activate, but nothing about when you had to roll or what you roll.
I'm asking about wands as well since I reckon that might come up eventually. (...are wands a thing in 5e like they are in 3.5, just rarer?)

Scroll rules are tricky to pick out. The most important ones are on page 200 of the DMG.

You can only use a spell scroll if the spell is on your spell list (or you have that one Thief ability)
You only need to make a check (using your spell attack bonus) if the spell is too high a level for you, or Arcana if you want to transcribe it.
Note that there are separate rules for Spell Scrolls and other types of scroll.

Wands vary. Some have charges, some break if they run out of charges. Some require attunement by a spellcaster.

[JeenLeen]

Scroll rules are tricky to pick out. The most important ones are on page 200 of the DMG.

You can only use a spell scroll if the spell is on your spell list (or you have that one Thief ability)
You only need to make a check (using your spell attack bonus) if the spell is too high a level for you, or Arcana if you want to transcribe it.
Note that there are separate rules for Spell Scrolls and other types of scroll.

What is the distinction between 'spell scrolls' and 'other types of scroll'? And the rules difference, if you can provide.




Wands vary. Some have charges, some break if they run out of charges. Some require attunement by a spellcaster.
Sounds like wands are basically a magic item with its particular rules. We have a magic staff that lets us cast Shield and Mage Armor. Wands sound similar.

[Ninja_Prawn]

What is the distinction between 'spell scrolls' and 'other types of scroll'? And the rules difference, if you can provide.

All scrolls are subject to the scroll rules on DMG 139 (you must be literate, requires an action to read, one use only). Spell Scrolls are subject to the additional rules on DMG 200 (must be on your class list, need to make a check if it's higher than your caster level). Other scrolls (e.g. Scroll of Protection, DMG 199) are not subject to these rules, but could have their own unique restrictions (the Scroll of Protection doesn't really).


Sounds like wands are basically a magic item with its particular rules. We have a magic staff that lets us cast Shield and Mage Armor. Wands sound similar.

Yeah. There is no real difference between staves and wands (except that staves are heavier, per PHB 150). Staves tend to have class restrictions whereas wands don't, but this doesn't seem to be a hard rule. Although the rules aren't explicit, it is implied that a staff can be used as a quarterstaff, should you wish it.

[Dalebert]

This is all in the DMG in the magic items section. The items are in alphabetical order. Look for "spell scrolls". Each wand says whether it requires attunement and if so, who can attune to it. Some have restrictions. Others don't.