Grant Rogues a UMD-Based Bonus to Scroll Use

[Peppermint]

Thematic Premise:

The Rogue class should be the best class at Using Magic Devices. This is a thematic element that dates back to AD&D and is supported with the inclusion of the Use Magic Device skill in D&D 3.x.

Given:

1. Use Magic Device is a thematic investment for Rogues.
2. The best Rogue gear (e.g. Dead Man's Cross) is UMD-gated.
3. Ergo, most Rogues will make a significant investment (i.e. ~30 ranks) into UMD, supporting the thematic premise.

Problem:

1. The shift of scroll use from UMD to Lore encourages mundanes to use potions or scrolls for essential class buffs such as Bull's Strength, Endurance, Barkskin.
2. Melee builds will now invest in Lore instead of Use Magic Device.
3. However, Rogues must still invest in UMD to be competitive. In order to use scrolls (which higher level spells are barred behind), Rogues must now invest in Use Magic Device and Lore.

Result: Rogues spend twice the skill points of other classes for access to magic devices. The new paradigm discourages Rogues from investing in Lore altogether, which is 1) a net nerf, and 2) thematically problematic, as they are now arguably less qualified to use high level magic devices than any other class.

Recommended Solution:

For each Rogue, Assassin, or Shadowdancer level a character has, the Lore requirement for scrolls is reduced by 1. This reduction cannot exceed the character's Use Magic Device ranks.

- Doesn't much affect builds with a Rogue dip, such as the Fighter 20/Weapon Master 7/Rogue 3 build (i.e. 3 point reduction at most)
- Makes Lore investment on a Rogue class feel less redundant
- Acquiring 9th level spell use will still require a huge investment; however, level 6-7 scrolls become accessible in line with other mundane classes
- Thematically appropriate

[Irongron]

Rejected.