Author: Steven Lumpkin

New Wizard Move (with inspiration from Backstab and Called Shot):

Use Arcane Device

When you activate an arcane device that you’ve identified, it just works for you.  If the device has Charges, you may expend 1 Charge and roll +INT.  On a 10+, the device works, and choose 2.  On a 7-9, the device works, and choose 1. 

* The device immediately regains the Charge you spent.

* The effects are maximized.

* It affects an additional target of your choice.

* You deal the device’s Arcane Power

* You avoid notice or retribution for the activation

A device would look something like this, where it has a standard effect and an additional Arcane Power effect, accessible only to Wizards who expend Charge:

Wand of Disintegrate

b[1d10] damage

2 Piercing, Far, Requires: Thief, Wizard

* Arcane Power: Reduce the target’s armor by 2 until they repair it.

Wand of Fireball

b[1d8] damage

Near, Area, Requires: Thief, Wizard

* Arcane Power: Set the ground ablaze

Your thoughts?  This would definitely tend to push most devices towards having some kind of Charges.

I killed two party members tonight, the bard ran away (rerolled Paladin), but the Thief came out alive and fighting.  As a reward, she recovered a bone wand from the Gelatinous Cube that devoured her friends, and got the following new move:

Activate Device

When you activate an arcane device, roll+INT.  On a 10+, the device functions exactly as intended.  On a 7-9, the device functions, but choose one:

* The device loses one charge

* The device affects another target of the GM’s choice

* The device’s effect is halved

Thoughts?  I’m not 100% certain on the third option…

—EDIT—-

Thanks for the suggestions!  The final 3 choices are:

* The Device loses one charge

* The Device affects more or less than you wanted

* The Device’s effects are maximized, but the device becomes inoperable until after you next Make Camp.

I’ll keep Charges, even though other magic items may not use them- after all, not all Ranged weapons use Ammo!  Magic Staves may just have a limited number of daily uses, for example, and be unable to choose the Charge option.

Thanks for your comments!  I’m thinking about a Wizard move for Use Device as well…