UMD skill

[darwin.evenwood]

Hi guys,

I recently bought a scimitar from the hell shop (very expensive!!) only useable by chaotic alignement.
That said, in the UMD skill description it says "emulate alignement: minimum DC 10". What does it mean? it actually increase the DC because of the value of the item? If yes how could i find out how many skill points do i need?

I am asking this because i have a total score (skill+CHA+skill synergies) of 10 and it allows me to use wands but not to use that weapon, could it be because of its high value? I hope not because it was too much expensive! Or maybe does it mean i need 10 points in the base skill (without CHA modifier and synergies) ?

Thanks!

[chad878262]

Not sure if this is how it works in game (i.e. I don't know if there are any changes for BG vs. vanilla), but based on the NWN2wiki (link below) the DC to emulate alignment is 10 higher than item value. So for an item worth 350K the DC to emulate alignment would be 35, meaning you would need at least 15 in UMD to use the item. Note that the item value is not necessarily what you paid for the scimitar since that is modified by your Appraise score and the base markup of the store in question.

http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Use_Magic_Device

[darwin.evenwood]

Mmmm, that sounds like a very bad news...
Can i trust the value that is showed when you want to sell something at Mudd? Cause it says something around 400K that will place the weapon in the "impossible-to-use" range for me.

EDIT: i tried right now in-game, with a potion of eagle splendor and a total UMD of 11 it seems to be allowed to use the weapon.

[Blackman D]

emulate allows you to bypass restrictions, if you have a 13 UMD you should be able to use any item regardless of alignment or class restriction

[Sun Wukong]

Actually the UMD goes like this in NWN2 and this server:

Version 1.022 (1588) in-game description of the UMD

Emulate an Alignment: Minimum DC10

Emulate a Class: Minimum DC13

Use a Scroll: Lvl 1(DC13), Lvl 2(DC15), Lvl 3(DC17), Lvl 4(DC19), Lvl 5(DC21), Lvl 6(DC23), Lvl 7(DC25), Lvl 8(DC27), Lvl 9(DC29)

Use a Wand: DC10

Use a Rod: DC12

You need UMD skill of 10 to use that Scimitar of yours. It is not ranks invested in the skill, it is just the number of UMD skill in your character sheet. Thus, you can use your weapon when you have 10 points in UMD from actual skill ranks, ability modifier, and possible items. Now, should your UMD skill drop to 9 or lower, you will not be able to use your item anymore. But as long as your skill remains 10 or higher, you can use it.

[darwin.evenwood]

Thanks for your answers guys, anyway as i said in my post , even with a total score of 10 it doesn't allow me to use that weapon. I can use wands, that are DC10, but not the scimitar. I don't know why.
With just one point more and so 11 UMD score listed in the skill sheet the scimitar turns useable. Luckily!
Good to know anyway that only 13 is needed to use any item and that it doesn't rely on the item's value to determine the UMD DC.
Thanks again guys and have a great day!

[aaron22]

if it is how chad explains and that due to your experience in game it might very well be. all i can offer is a way to check the actual game value of an item.

go to mudds broker and go to sell the item. when you click the item (dont sell it) the game's engine will calculate a numerical value for the item in question and present it in your aux chat window. using this value you should be able to determine the exact UMD needed to use it.