Troll Lord Games

So in the new PHB6 it specifically states that parts can cast a scroll they can decipher
"A bard may use this ability to decipher and then use an arcane scroll, as a wizard or illusionist would, if a successful check is made at a penalty of –10. This ability may not be used to decipher divine scrolls." pg.25
BUT
"A character can cast a spell from a scroll that they have not learned, recorded in their spell book. However, the character must be of a high enough level to cast the level of spell found on the scroll. For example, a 2nd level wizard finds a scroll and casts read magic on it, revealing that it contains the 1st level spell magic missile. The wizard had not previously learned magic missile, and does not have it recorded in his spell book. The wizard, however, can cast 1st level spells and thus can cast magic missile from the scroll." pg.73
Here we are told that the character must be of the correct level to cast the spell, but Bards do not have spell levels assigned to their level progression so what do they do?
Please help

gabriellyon wrote: Here we are told that the character must be of the correct level to cast the spell, but Bards do not have spell levels assigned to their level progression so what do they do?
Please help

Easy peasy. Use the Bard's class level and apply it as you would the wizard's. The penalty (-10) is already incorporated to make it much more difficult than for an arcane caster.

Yep, treat the levels as equivalent. Obviously, Bards aren't going to even try to use Scrolls until they are about 10th level, so it will probably never even get attempted. Feel free, of course, since this is C&C, to change that -10 penalty. Just realize it is intentionally so high to keep Bards, and Thieves/Rogues, from being able to act as a magic user if they have a decent number of scrolls to access. Until higher levels. If you want them to start sooner, such as around 5th level, then house rule the penalty to -5.

and yes, I realize they can try considerably sooner than 10th level, which is why I use the word "around", its just that I am also taking into account the odds I see my players be willing to take, and that doesn't happen, until instances of last resort, until my games get to around 10th level.

Treebore wrote:and yes, I realize they can try considerably sooner than 10th level, which is why I use the word "around", its just that I am also taking into account the odds I see my players be willing to take, and that doesn't happen, until instances of last resort, until my games get to around 10th level.

Right. Failure can be a b*&#h when using scrolls...