[RPG] Can you use a Wand of Wonder after casting a spell as a bonus action

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When you cast a spell as a bonus action (either because the spell takes a bonus action to cast by default like misty step, or because you use the Quickened Spell metamagic on it as a sorcerer), you are then prevented from casting 1st-level spells or higher as your action. This of course includes the spells that can be cast from many wands and staves.

But what about the Wand of Wonder? Some of its random effects are indeed spells, like lightning bolt (and are therefore subject to the above casting rule), but some are non-spell effects, like making grass grow or rain fall (and are therefore not subject to the above casting rule).

So, if a character casts as a bonus action then wishes to use the Wand, what happens?

  1. He cannot use it, as it might cast a spell?

  2. He can use it, but if the random roll falls on a spell, said spell is cancelled?

  3. As previous choice, but instead of being cancelled, the spell is delayed until next round?

  4. Other possibility?

Best Answer

They can use it, but if the random roll falls on a spell, it fails

The rule for casting multiple spells in one turn says:

You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus action this turn. You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.

So after casting a spell as a bonus action, there is nothing stopping you from using the wand as an action, but you cannot cast any spells above cantrip level on this turn.

Casting a spell from a wand is still casting a spell and plays by the same rules

While holding it, you can use an action to expend 1 of its charges and choose a target [...] Roll d100 and consult the following table to discover what happens.

If the effect causes you to cast a spell from the wand, the spell's save DC is 15.

The wand of wonder, like all wands, counts as you casting a spell. It is even in the description for the item. All the spell effects say:

You cast [Spell].

There is nothing that would excuse this casting from the rule that says:

You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action.

And none of the spells contained withing the Wand of Wonder are cantrips.

Thus, if they used the wand after casting a bonus action spell and a spell effect is rolled, the spell would fail because it is not a cantrip.

Any of the non-spell effects would happen normally

There are no restrictions on the activation of other features of magic items though so it would not make any sense to disallow the use of the magic item entirely in this case.

If they cast a spell beforehand though, they will have to accept that there is a risk of them wasting their action with the Wand of Wonder.

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