[RPG] Does the Magic Initiate feat give a Thief rogue a spell save DC

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The Thief archetype Rogue gets the Use Magic Device feature at 13th level:

By 13th level, you have learned enough about the workings of magic that you can improvise the use of items even when they are not intended for you. You ignore all class, race, and level requirements on the use of magic items.

Some of these items require the use of the user's own spellcasting ability and proficiency bonus. The rogue would only have the latter, but would the Magic Initiate feat fix that?

Best Answer

RAW It does not give the Rogue a spell casting DC outside of the spells directly related to the feat

You have a Spellcasting Ability, not a Spellcasting Class Feature

Magic Initiate states (PHB, Chapter 6-Feats) with my emphasis:

Your spellcasting ability for these spells depends on the class you chose: Charisma for bard, sorcerer, or warlock; Wisdom for cleric or druid; or Intelligence for wizard.

The spellcasting ability is directly related to just those spells and are a result of the class you chose when taking the Feat. However, this does not grant you the Spellcasting Class Feature.

But why not? After all they are a Magic Initiate!

Other than the strict reading I provided above, I'm not sure why it would be a big deal to allow the Rogue to have a spellcasting DC for those types of items that require it.

The feat is called Magic Initiate, after all. They have been initiated into Magic of a certain Class. Let the Rogue have a spellcasting ability in that class in general and utilize the associated ability score for magic items that require it.

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