Thanks for the video! I've rarely left these in treasures as they are much more powerful than folks realize. This and Magic Detection, Metal and Mineral Detection, and Secret Door and Trap Location are all great when playing Old School D&D (1E AD&D in particular) especially if mapping large dungeons and even more so if they have enough charges and during a convention one-shot. If these are part of the equipment of pregens, make sure to use them or the group will likely waste their convention gaming time. If I include them for one-shots, I even give the command word and charges so the group can use them judiciously and with a flourish. A six-pack of Potions of Treasure Finding can be used similarly. 😝
It's safe to say that even if there is the occasional difference of opinion on how a specific rule interaction should be ruled, everyone who watches your channel would feel very lucky to sit at your table.
I currently use it in my 5e campaign for Kingdoms. A mage holding a wand standing near the King in a meeting room will know if those entering the room for an audience are enemies or if anyone is sneaking in invisibly, etc ... Don't need a Zone of Truth and questioning or detect invisible (though you might use it in a throne room that's empty, but suddenly alerts you to an enemy).
I can only remember having that wand one time. We did use it during the adventure in which we found it and it was quite useful. We set up several ambushes.
This is actually an extremely potent magic item. The DM ought to keep in mind that there are certain defences & remedies that can block detection. These should be fairly obvious to most DMs who are somewhat fluent with the game mechanics.
There are several ways, each up to the discretion of the DM. Basically, one needs to successfully cast an Enchant an Item spell for magic-users, Major Creation for illusionists, or pray at the altar/holy grove for clerics or druids. DMG pg 118, & PHB pgs 83-84, & 98.
Throw an adventure with a serial killer and they have to figure out the murder mystery. Serial killer catches on to them investigating and begins stalking them. That wand of enemy detection gets really important. I can imagine like a scary movie where people are trying to get away from the murderer too, and so they can use it to avoid them and hide, until they can get back to their friends.
I’m usually playing 5e and they cast identify or pay someone to cast it, when it comes to command words, but if the spell didn’t freely do so I think that would be fun… probably
Do you suppose if they _had_ decided to check a door while your perfidious NPC was with them, that he might've come up with an excuse to "go check a noise" at the other end of the hall, or "guard the rear" conveniently 30' behind the wielder? [30', right? "60' sphere" implies 60' in *diameter* , no? So 30' ahead, and 30' behind (and all around) ]
I would let the NPC do that if he knew they were about to use the magic item. In my game, he didn't know they had the wand because they never used it before.
Thanks for the video! I've rarely left these in treasures as they are much more powerful than folks realize. This and Magic Detection, Metal and Mineral Detection, and Secret Door and Trap Location are all great when playing Old School D&D (1E AD&D in particular) especially if mapping large dungeons and even more so if they have enough charges and during a convention one-shot. If these are part of the equipment of pregens, make sure to use them or the group will likely waste their convention gaming time. If I include them for one-shots, I even give the command word and charges so the group can use them judiciously and with a flourish. A six-pack of Potions of Treasure Finding can be used similarly. 😝
It's safe to say that even if there is the occasional difference of opinion on how a specific rule interaction should be ruled, everyone who watches your channel would feel very lucky to sit at your table.
I currently use it in my 5e campaign for Kingdoms. A mage holding a wand standing near the King in a meeting room will know if those entering the room for an audience are enemies or if anyone is sneaking in invisibly, etc ... Don't need a Zone of Truth and questioning or detect invisible (though you might use it in a throne room that's empty, but suddenly alerts you to an enemy).
Hmm, a wand we never saw drop. I have never given one out as DM either. Started in September 1979, DM from 1985. Only play 1e and 2e (prefer 1e).
Same. Playing since 1984, DM since ‘89. Have never encountered or handed one out… until three weeks ago.
I can only remember having that wand one time. We did use it during the adventure in which we found it and it was quite useful. We set up several ambushes.
This is actually an extremely potent magic item. The DM ought to keep in mind that there are certain defences & remedies that can block detection. These should be fairly obvious to most DMs who are somewhat fluent with the game mechanics.
Noice
A bit like Orcrist, Glamdring, and Sting, in that those blades glowed when their wielders were threatened.
Very cool way to use this wand. Any chance you could do a video on how to get a wand re-charged
I can do a video on wand recharging in the future.
There are several ways, each up to the discretion of the DM.
Basically, one needs to successfully cast an Enchant an Item spell for magic-users, Major Creation for illusionists, or pray at the altar/holy grove for clerics or druids. DMG pg 118, & PHB pgs 83-84, & 98.
Throw an adventure with a serial killer and they have to figure out the murder mystery. Serial killer catches on to them investigating and begins stalking them. That wand of enemy detection gets really important. I can imagine like a scary movie where people are trying to get away from the murderer too, and so they can use it to avoid them and hide, until they can get back to their friends.
Great item. Will drop it soon for my players.
Entertaining video 👏👏👏👍.
What if all the party is touching the wand when casting? 😂
Then I would only allowed the player who owned the wand to get a reading.
I’m usually playing 5e and they cast identify or pay someone to cast it, when it comes to command words, but if the spell didn’t freely do so I think that would be fun… probably
I use it esp with doppelganger
Yo I got this book
Do you suppose if they _had_ decided to check a door while your perfidious NPC was with them, that he might've come up with an excuse to "go check a noise" at the other end of the hall, or "guard the rear" conveniently 30' behind the wielder?
[30', right? "60' sphere" implies 60' in *diameter* , no? So 30' ahead, and 30' behind (and all around) ]
I would let the NPC do that if he knew they were about to use the magic item. In my game, he didn't know they had the wand because they never used it before.
Not only that, but in the old school days inches translated to yards outside.
👍🏻😎🌭👽🇺🇸
Rod of Security?
We used a Rod of Security during Throne of Bloodstone.