Consumable Items Overhaul

B Consumables System Overhaul

Motivation

Use Magic Device (UMD) is one of the most powerful skills in the game and also one of the most fun! On its own, it’s already a solid and workable system within a system. However, I feel like it could still use some refinement. It would be nice to open the system up to a broader range of characters, a broader range of caster levels and spell tiers, while ironing out abuse cases.

In core Pathfinder, the primary gating mechanism for magic devices is the exorbitant GP cost scaling of such items. This means only the lowest caster levels are ever relevant to player planning. In contrast, the Use Magic Device skill is easy to optimize. And the accessibility of purchaseable scrolls and wands could use some formalizing.

The first rule reduces the price scaling of scrolls, wands, and potions. This alternative pricing better reflects how the caster level scales twice as fast as the spell tier. The second rule reduces the DC for activating low-level spells but raises it for high-level spells.

Intended Effects of These Rules

The use of low-level scrolls becomes much easier to access via UMD but less efficient to execute due to cost. Allowing more characters to dip their toes into the spell system but not become reliant on them.

High-level scroll access must be built for and premeditated. And it becomes almost impossible to build around finding and abusing specific high-level scrolls. However, these rules provide a semi-formal way to find random high-level scrolls and the cheaper pricing of high-level scrolls encourages their purchase.

Some skills other than UMD (Diplomacy, Knowledge (Local)) are given some utility in the acquisition process. Pushing scroll use into more of a party activity rather than a solo strategy. Shifting the cost from GP to skill check redistributes the burden on the scroll-user character’s progression, making them less likely to feel “left behind” by exorbitant spending on consumables.

Rules

Alternative Pricing

Scrolls, wands, and potions use alternative pricing. Wands have a new set amount of charges at 30.

Price =F⋅(sC+2C+3)F \cdot (sC + 2C +3) where:

  • C=C = Caster level
  • s=s = Spell Tier
  • F=F = 10 for scrolls, 200 for wands, 15 for potions

Examples:
Scroll of Haste (core: 375gp): 10⋅(3⋅5+2⋅5+3)=280gp10 \cdot (3\cdot5 + 2\cdot5 + 3) = 280gp
Potion of Enlarge Person (core: 50gp): 15⋅(1⋅1+2⋅1+3)=90gp15 \cdot (1\cdot1 + 2\cdot1 + 3) = 90gp
Potion of Fly (core: 750gp): 15⋅(3⋅5+2⋅5+3)=420gp15 \cdot (3\cdot5 + 2\cdot5 + 3) = 420gp
Wand of Cure Light Wound (core: 750gp): 200⋅(1⋅1+2⋅1+3)=1200gp200 \cdot (1\cdot1 + 2\cdot1 + 3) = 1200gp
Wand of Resist Energy Communal at CL7 (core: 15750gp): 200⋅(3⋅7+2⋅7+3)=7600gp200 \cdot (3\cdot7 + 2\cdot7 + 3) = 7600gp

DC Adjustment

The Use Magic Device DC for using a scroll is adjusted to:

  • 15 + caster level for 0th to 3rd tier spells
  • 20 + caster level for 4th to 6th tier spells
  • 25 + caster level for 7th to 9th tier spells

The Use Magic Device DC for using a wand is adjusted to:

  • 15 for 0th to 3rd tier spells
  • 20 for 4th to 6th tier spells
  • 25 for 7th to 9th tier spells (not normally sold)

The Accessibility of High-Level Scrolls and Wands

The following rules provide a starting point for limiting the availability of high-level scrolls and wands.

Wands are only be sold up to spell tier 6th. Additionally, scrolls and wands are only normally sold up to caster level 10 but higher level items can be searched for.

When attempting to purchase a scroll or wand that is caster level 11 or higher, the party may make a Diplomacy to gather information (searching for a merchant). This search takes 1d4 hours and can be retried twice a day. This search can be performed within settlements. Performing this search may gain the party some notoriety.

Knowledge (Local) check, or some other similar check can be used in place of the Diplomacy check. The Knowledge check method cannot be quickly retried. The passage of time (days or weeks) may allow the party to search in this way again. But events such as a merchant fleet arriving or an influx of refugees may allow the party to attempt another search.

The suggested DC for searching for a merchant providing scrolls or wands with caster level 11 or higher is 20. The DC can be if the settlement is particularly large or relevant to the type of merchant they are searching for.

Pass by Result
0 to 4 The party has found a merchant selling a random assortment of scrolls or wands at caster levels 7 to 13 with spells that are 6th tier or lower.
5 to 9 The party has found a merchant selling scrolls or wands that are close to the tier the party is searching for and in the same school but not the exact spell they are seeking (if any).
10 or more The party has found a merchant selling scrolls or wands of the spell they are searching for.

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