Enhancements: Wands (questions)

[Wipeout]

Hello to all. I have started playing again and wrote up a new Wizard. Its been a few years and the enhancements have changed since then, so could a veteran or experienced dabbler share their wisdom with me.

1. Wizard Wand Heightening I, II, III, etc.

Does the Wand DC calculation include the caster's stat modifier?

For example, Wand of Burning Hands (Level 1 spell, Caster Level 1) be calculated as 10 + spell level (1) + caster level (1) + Wizard stat mod (+3 arbitrator #) + enhancement +1 DC for a DC sum of 16.

Or, would it be calculated without the Wizard stat mod for a sum of DC 13?

I am trying to figure out the DC calculation to weigh in whether using dmg. wands or effects verse using SPs on the spell and to diversify the Wizard to contribute into the fights without draining too many SPs needlessly.

2. Wizard Wand Damage I, II, III, etc.

Simple question here. Do +10% spell effect items effect the casting effect of wands. Such as the Lores, Potency, etc. that increase the dmg. or effect of X lvl and below spells or type of spells.

These two start me off on the line of questions. If someone is willing to shed some light here would be great. I thought they were some cool enhancments but hesitant their ineffective over other choices. Like why take the dmg. amplifiers and controls if other players primarily want the Wizard to play buff bot and only with certain circumstances deal damage a potion couldnt buff. Naturally to my line-of-thinking, brings me to wands as an alt. to be a dmg. class also under the pre-defined expectations and avoid other party members grumbling at the Wizard for wasting their SPs away.

[Galapas]

Does the Wand DC calculation include the caster's stat modifier?

For example, Wand of Burning Hands (Level 1 spell, Caster Level 1) be calculated as 10 + spell level (1) + caster level (1) + Wizard stat mod (+3 arbitrator #) + enhancement +1 DC for a DC sum of 16.

First, "caster level" doesn't affect DCs. It only affects damage, dispelling chance and spell resistance.

The DC of a wand is 10+spell level+stat mod of creator
The game assumes the creator has a minimum stat to cast the spell -11 for 1st, 12 for 2nd etc.
This makes that part of the DC:
0 for 1st (11 total)
1 for 2nd and 3rd(13 and 14 total respectively)
2 for 4th. (total of 16)

It doesn't inspire confidence.

[Wipeout]

First, "caster level" doesn't affect DCs. It only affects damage, dispelling chance and spell resistance.

It doesn't inspire confidence.

After reading yoru reply I realized my quick jot on DC calculation was errored on caster level. Thanks for letting me know the Intelligence mod determination minimum. Your right that doesnt inspire confidence on many wand uses.

[llevenbaxx]

I currently have a sorc6 who uses the Wand damage(?) boost II. I am playing him as a nuker type but found myself consistently running out of sp so decided I would use wands to offset my sp cost while I level. They are much slower but still are a good value for the lower levels imo.

Initially figured on getting rid of them at high levels but being a WF and using them for repairs in addition to some of the nicer wands out there, I might reconsider. It also does feel kinda cool dropping the boom with sp for most of the mobs hps then cleanning up with a shot from a wand. To each his own, it is a fairly cheap enhancement line.

[sigtrent]

Wand damage boost has its moments, especialy at mid levels or when soloing. Wand heighten seems like a total waste of AP to me. It just isn't going to do you much good.

I mostly use wands at lower level for something to do when SP run out in a long quest since people tend to give them to me when playing a caster. Healing and curative wands are a different story and some buff wands are invaluable to a soloist.

[Nevthial]

First, "caster level" doesn't affect DCs. It only affects damage, dispelling chance and spell resistance.

The DC of a wand is 10+spell level+stat mod of creator
The game assumes the creator has a minimum stat to cast the spell -11 for 1st, 12 for 2nd etc.
This makes that part of the DC:
0 for 1st (11 total)
1 for 2nd and 3rd(13 and 14 total respectively)
2 for 4th. (total of 16)

It doesn't inspire confidence.

It's actually the minimum required ability score for a spell of that level when concerning scrolls or items such as wands, unless specifically noted otherwise in the item's description. A caster's ability score has no bearing on an item created without metamagic's.

Example: Level 3 spell scroll= 10 base + level of spell ( 3 ) +1 ( 13 INT/CHA) = DC 14
A quicker way to calculate is : 10+ 1.5 times spell level. Level 4 spell = 10 base + 4*1.5= DC 16

This formula is located in the Player's Handbook & Dungeonmaster's Guide & here:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems...agicItemPowers

**** However, in DDO ; the formula is 10+ spell level . This was pointed out by others to me, in that it differs from PnP.****

[Solmage]

Wand heightening is a complete waste of APs, and you can only shake your head at 'what were they thinking'

Wand damage is fun to use heal wands (and force missile wands/lvl 11 scorching ray wands in a pinch), but I mostly use it for healing or repair wands. Damage wands are WAY too slow to do any real amount of damage. Ymmv.

[Rastamage]

I personally like and take the wand mastery enhancements. However, I took a level of bard so I am using a much larger variety of wands. If I were going pure wizard I'd probably not take the mastery enhancement chain.