Scrolls and casting time

[Maryring]

I can't find the rule again which talks about this, but I could swear that casting a spell from a scroll takes only a standard action, regardless of how long the spell usually takes to cast right? So a scroll of Planar Ally could be cast during one round, instead of 10 minutes.

I'm planning something... fun! And would rather not have to use the channel hero spell just yet.

[Duke of URL]

Scrolls are spell completion items, and the description of such says:

Activating a spell completion item is a standard action

[Psyren]

Scrolls are spell completion items, and the description of such says:

Bad news - Rules Compendium nixed that ruling.

Activating a scroll takes the same amount of time as the casting time of the spell stored on the scroll and provokes attacks of opportunity as spellcasting does.

[Maryring]

Blasted. Channel Hero it is then.

[Darrin]

Bad news - Rules Compendium nixed that ruling.

There *might* be a way around that... but make sure you're wearing your +5 Cloak vs. Thrown Rulebooks.

Use Gremma's Cauldron (Expedition to Undermountain p. 217) to convert the scroll into a potion. Drink the potion as a standard action.

[Maryring]

That... could be interesting, but only in the fact that a train wreck is interesting. Seeing that the spell in question is Planar Ally, you'd just risk a V situation.

Then again, that could be a really... terrible for a really vile villian.

[Psyren]

Use Gremma's Cauldron (Expedition to Undermountain p. 217) to convert the scroll into a potion. Drink the potion as a standard action.

I don't see how that would work with spells that aren't personal or even touch range...

[Keld Denar]

Kudos if the planar bound creature bursts from your chest like Alien!

[Maryring]

Toss some potions of Planar Binding in with your regular potions of healing. Watch as players drink without Identifying.

"Tordek suddenly clenches over, coughing and gasping for air. The sound of flesh rending and bones breaking resound through the chamber as a succubus rends open Tordek's front and steps out."

Aaand there's way too many ways to finish that.

[ericgrau]

Pay more for the longer duration and stop finding ways to weasel out of it . Besides, how is your deity supposed to handle the red tape of sending someone to you in less than 10 minutes?

Potions must be spells that are cast upon the imbiber. And they're limited to 3rd level.

EDIT: V I could understand a custom spell with a 1 round or 1 minute casting time if you reserve the ally in advance (and pay in advance) to appear some time within a pre-determined 1-2 hour time slot. Maybe reserved for days, even. Making an appointment, if you will, during which time the ally is "on call".

[Maryring]

In DnD you can potentially hold an overwhelming enemy force at bay if you focus on it for a minute. It can also be very good narrative. Ten minutes just becomes tedious. Hence either a standard action Planar Ally somehow, or Channel Hero, which has a casting time of 1 min.