Bah!
Wand of Force
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Leather case = 3# Bone or ivory case = 6# Box = 8# Enc.:
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IS, Leather Case = [Leather] IS, Box = [] |
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(3k if full) |
(30k if full) |
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Although it is rumored that the concept of such a
wand has taken many forms, the one which has been standardized,
so to speak, is a tri-function device which requires considerable operator
knowledge only in the application of the third function.
Firstly, a wand of force enables the wielder to cause a shaft
of nearly
invisible, blue-white energy to spring forth from its tip. This shaft
of energy
extends 4 feet and is equal to a +5 bastard sword with respect to hit
probability and damage. This usage expends 1 charge per turn.
Secondly, a wand of force can be employed to create a [wall of
force]
duplicating the fifth-level magic-user spell of the same name (qv)
as if
cast by a 10th-level magic-user. This function expends 1 charge per
wall created, and a single usage per round is possible.
Thirdly, a wand of force can be employed to create a nearly invisible
plane of energy which performs as if it had been created by the casting
of a Bigby's Forceful Hand
spell. The wand USER must actually be a
magic-user in order to activate this function, and regardless of his
or her
level, one of the various Bigby's Hand/Fist spells must be recorded
for study (not necessarily for casting) in the spell books of the wand
wielder.
Use of this function expends 1/2 charge per round.
Fighters of all types are able to use the first and second functions
of
the wand. The device can be recharged by a MU of 16th or higher level,
and in addition it can draw sufficient energy to regain a
single charge by being touched to any of the following:
a manifestation of one of the Bigby's Hand/Fist
spells,
a manifestation of the Mordenkainen's
Sword spell,
or a manifestation of a [wall of force].
Touching any of these things with the wand causes the effect of a [disintegrate]
spell,
destroying the spell/manifestation instantly,
and enabling the wand to absorb power equivalent to a single charge.
Q: Can a high-level
ranger who has
all the Bigby's hand/fist
spells in his
books use all three functions
of a
wand of force?
A: No. Only a member
of the magic-user
class can use the wands
third function
(and then only if he has
at least one of the
Bigby's hand/fist spells
in his book). Rangers,
even though they can cast
magic-user
spells, are not magic-users
per se. Furthermore,
a ranger can have 2nd-level
magic-user
spells at best (see the
PH,
page 25), and thus cannot have
any of the Bigby?s hand
spells.
(139.66)
Q: Does a magic-user
suffer a -5
nonproficiency penalty when
using.
the first function of a
wand of force?
A: No. The shaft of
force created by the
first function is the equivalent
of a magical
broad sword, but (like a
Mordenkainen’s
sword spell) it is not a
true sword and
does not require any specific
proficiency
in order to be used properly
(see Unearthed
Arcana, page 96).
(147.12)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Wasn't the AD&D light
saber called a wand of force?
Introduced in Forgotten
Temple of Tharizdun. It's one of those items many of my PCs would have
liked to acquire, along with an original holy vorpal sword.
Scott
Bah!
The Wand of Force is not
all that deadly, and there is no "Holy Vorpal Sword," except in your mind,
perhaps 
Cheers,
Gary
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottyG
Not saying the wand of force
was all that deadly, as compared to the other item discussed, just that
it fit the description of a D&D light saber, and in OD&D (the Greyhawk
Supplement), all vorpal blades, and swords of sharpness too, were listed
as holy swords.
Scott
Perhaps the light saber
resembles a wand of force, as the former predates the latter, no?
And why do you keep referring to OD&D Greyhawk Supplement when we all know that OAD&D essentially replaced it?
Cheers,
Gary