When would a creature fail to cast a spell from a scroll?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;







up vote
6
down vote

favorite












The Variant Rule "Scroll Mishaps" in the DMG (page 140) has a header with the following text:




A creature who tries and fails to cast a spell from a spell scroll
must make a DC 10 Intelligence saving throw. If the saving
throw fails, roll on the Scroll Mishap table.




Under what circumstances can a creature try to cast a spell from a spell scroll and fail?



The rules for using a Scroll (page 139) don't require any checks and don't involve any failure chance. Or is part of this rule that the DM should set rules for how one casts from a scroll?







share|improve this question




























    up vote
    6
    down vote

    favorite












    The Variant Rule "Scroll Mishaps" in the DMG (page 140) has a header with the following text:




    A creature who tries and fails to cast a spell from a spell scroll
    must make a DC 10 Intelligence saving throw. If the saving
    throw fails, roll on the Scroll Mishap table.




    Under what circumstances can a creature try to cast a spell from a spell scroll and fail?



    The rules for using a Scroll (page 139) don't require any checks and don't involve any failure chance. Or is part of this rule that the DM should set rules for how one casts from a scroll?







    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      6
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      6
      down vote

      favorite











      The Variant Rule "Scroll Mishaps" in the DMG (page 140) has a header with the following text:




      A creature who tries and fails to cast a spell from a spell scroll
      must make a DC 10 Intelligence saving throw. If the saving
      throw fails, roll on the Scroll Mishap table.




      Under what circumstances can a creature try to cast a spell from a spell scroll and fail?



      The rules for using a Scroll (page 139) don't require any checks and don't involve any failure chance. Or is part of this rule that the DM should set rules for how one casts from a scroll?







      share|improve this question














      The Variant Rule "Scroll Mishaps" in the DMG (page 140) has a header with the following text:




      A creature who tries and fails to cast a spell from a spell scroll
      must make a DC 10 Intelligence saving throw. If the saving
      throw fails, roll on the Scroll Mishap table.




      Under what circumstances can a creature try to cast a spell from a spell scroll and fail?



      The rules for using a Scroll (page 139) don't require any checks and don't involve any failure chance. Or is part of this rule that the DM should set rules for how one casts from a scroll?









      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Aug 18 at 11:50

























      asked Aug 18 at 11:32









      Erik

      40.6k11139209




      40.6k11139209




















          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          12
          down vote













          The failure is possible if trying to cast a spell with a level higher than you can cast from a Spell Scroll.



          Spell Scroll, DMG pg.200:




          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.




          The general rule for scrolls in the DMG pg 139 is "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.", however, the specific rule for Spell Scrolls says "If the spell is on your class's list you can use an action to read the scroll [...] Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible".



          Basically, if you can read you can use a scroll (ex: Scroll of Protection, DMG 199), but only if the spell is on your list you can use an Spell Scroll (DMG 200).



          A even more specific exception to this rule is the Use Magic Device feature of the 13th-level Thief (Roguish Archetype): "You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items." Jeremy Crawford tweeted "The intent is that Use Magic Device does allow a rogue to try to use a scroll." Since everyone can use a normal scroll, he meant the use of a Spell Scroll.






          share|improve this answer






















          • Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
            – Erik
            Aug 18 at 11:49







          • 2




            @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
            – Aguinaldo Silvestre
            Aug 18 at 11:55






          • 1




            @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
            – David Coffron
            Aug 18 at 14:24







          • 1




            @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
            – Carcer
            Aug 18 at 14:57










          Your Answer




          StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
          return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
          StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
          StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
          );
          );
          , "mathjax-editing");

          StackExchange.ready(function()
          var channelOptions =
          tags: "".split(" "),
          id: "122"
          ;
          initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

          StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
          // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
          if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
          StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
          createEditor();
          );

          else
          createEditor();

          );

          function createEditor()
          StackExchange.prepareEditor(
          heartbeatType: 'answer',
          convertImagesToLinks: false,
          noModals: false,
          showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
          reputationToPostImages: null,
          bindNavPrevention: true,
          postfix: "",
          noCode: true, onDemand: true,
          discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
          ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
          );



          );













           

          draft saved


          draft discarded


















          StackExchange.ready(
          function ()
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f129973%2fwhen-would-a-creature-fail-to-cast-a-spell-from-a-scroll%23new-answer', 'question_page');

          );

          Post as a guest






























          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes








          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          12
          down vote













          The failure is possible if trying to cast a spell with a level higher than you can cast from a Spell Scroll.



          Spell Scroll, DMG pg.200:




          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.




          The general rule for scrolls in the DMG pg 139 is "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.", however, the specific rule for Spell Scrolls says "If the spell is on your class's list you can use an action to read the scroll [...] Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible".



          Basically, if you can read you can use a scroll (ex: Scroll of Protection, DMG 199), but only if the spell is on your list you can use an Spell Scroll (DMG 200).



          A even more specific exception to this rule is the Use Magic Device feature of the 13th-level Thief (Roguish Archetype): "You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items." Jeremy Crawford tweeted "The intent is that Use Magic Device does allow a rogue to try to use a scroll." Since everyone can use a normal scroll, he meant the use of a Spell Scroll.






          share|improve this answer






















          • Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
            – Erik
            Aug 18 at 11:49







          • 2




            @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
            – Aguinaldo Silvestre
            Aug 18 at 11:55






          • 1




            @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
            – David Coffron
            Aug 18 at 14:24







          • 1




            @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
            – Carcer
            Aug 18 at 14:57














          up vote
          12
          down vote













          The failure is possible if trying to cast a spell with a level higher than you can cast from a Spell Scroll.



          Spell Scroll, DMG pg.200:




          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.




          The general rule for scrolls in the DMG pg 139 is "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.", however, the specific rule for Spell Scrolls says "If the spell is on your class's list you can use an action to read the scroll [...] Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible".



          Basically, if you can read you can use a scroll (ex: Scroll of Protection, DMG 199), but only if the spell is on your list you can use an Spell Scroll (DMG 200).



          A even more specific exception to this rule is the Use Magic Device feature of the 13th-level Thief (Roguish Archetype): "You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items." Jeremy Crawford tweeted "The intent is that Use Magic Device does allow a rogue to try to use a scroll." Since everyone can use a normal scroll, he meant the use of a Spell Scroll.






          share|improve this answer






















          • Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
            – Erik
            Aug 18 at 11:49







          • 2




            @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
            – Aguinaldo Silvestre
            Aug 18 at 11:55






          • 1




            @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
            – David Coffron
            Aug 18 at 14:24







          • 1




            @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
            – Carcer
            Aug 18 at 14:57












          up vote
          12
          down vote










          up vote
          12
          down vote









          The failure is possible if trying to cast a spell with a level higher than you can cast from a Spell Scroll.



          Spell Scroll, DMG pg.200:




          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.




          The general rule for scrolls in the DMG pg 139 is "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.", however, the specific rule for Spell Scrolls says "If the spell is on your class's list you can use an action to read the scroll [...] Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible".



          Basically, if you can read you can use a scroll (ex: Scroll of Protection, DMG 199), but only if the spell is on your list you can use an Spell Scroll (DMG 200).



          A even more specific exception to this rule is the Use Magic Device feature of the 13th-level Thief (Roguish Archetype): "You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items." Jeremy Crawford tweeted "The intent is that Use Magic Device does allow a rogue to try to use a scroll." Since everyone can use a normal scroll, he meant the use of a Spell Scroll.






          share|improve this answer














          The failure is possible if trying to cast a spell with a level higher than you can cast from a Spell Scroll.



          Spell Scroll, DMG pg.200:




          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.




          The general rule for scrolls in the DMG pg 139 is "Any creature that can understand a written language can read the arcane script on a scroll and attempt to activate it.", however, the specific rule for Spell Scrolls says "If the spell is on your class's list you can use an action to read the scroll [...] Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible".



          Basically, if you can read you can use a scroll (ex: Scroll of Protection, DMG 199), but only if the spell is on your list you can use an Spell Scroll (DMG 200).



          A even more specific exception to this rule is the Use Magic Device feature of the 13th-level Thief (Roguish Archetype): "You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items." Jeremy Crawford tweeted "The intent is that Use Magic Device does allow a rogue to try to use a scroll." Since everyone can use a normal scroll, he meant the use of a Spell Scroll.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Aug 18 at 12:10

























          answered Aug 18 at 11:46









          Aguinaldo Silvestre

          4,438942




          4,438942











          • Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
            – Erik
            Aug 18 at 11:49







          • 2




            @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
            – Aguinaldo Silvestre
            Aug 18 at 11:55






          • 1




            @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
            – David Coffron
            Aug 18 at 14:24







          • 1




            @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
            – Carcer
            Aug 18 at 14:57
















          • Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
            – Erik
            Aug 18 at 11:49







          • 2




            @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
            – Aguinaldo Silvestre
            Aug 18 at 11:55






          • 1




            @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
            – David Coffron
            Aug 18 at 14:24







          • 1




            @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
            – Carcer
            Aug 18 at 14:57















          Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
          – Erik
          Aug 18 at 11:49





          Interesting. That description contradicts what it says in the Scroll section under the main header. (pg 139)
          – Erik
          Aug 18 at 11:49





          2




          2




          @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
          – Aguinaldo Silvestre
          Aug 18 at 11:55




          @Erik Like everything in D&D, specific beats general.
          – Aguinaldo Silvestre
          Aug 18 at 11:55




          1




          1




          @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
          – David Coffron
          Aug 18 at 14:24





          @Erik it doesn't contradict. It's an additional option for what to do when you fail the spell scroll check.
          – David Coffron
          Aug 18 at 14:24





          1




          1




          @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
          – Carcer
          Aug 18 at 14:57




          @Erik I think your confusion is that Spell Scrolls are scrolls, but not all scrolls are spell scrolls. There are general rules for scrolls, and then spell scrolls are a particular type of scroll which have their own rules for who can use them, as per the general rule about trying to use scrolls: "Unless a scroll's description says otherwise..."
          – Carcer
          Aug 18 at 14:57

















           

          draft saved


          draft discarded















































           


          draft saved


          draft discarded














          StackExchange.ready(
          function ()
          StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f129973%2fwhen-would-a-creature-fail-to-cast-a-spell-from-a-scroll%23new-answer', 'question_page');

          );

          Post as a guest













































































          Comments

          Popular posts from this blog

          Long meetings (6-7 hours a day): Being “babysat” by supervisor

          Is the Concept of Multiple Fantasy Races Scientifically Flawed? [closed]

          Confectionery