D&D 5E 5e Crystal Ball of True Seeing - Do you need to know the spell Scrying?

[1nsanem1nd]

Reading through the description of this magic item and spell I'm a little curious. Do you need to know the spell Scrying in order to cast it? Also, does it consume a spell slot when casting? For example, a level 7 wizard which is not high yet to cast the spell Scrying would or would not be able to use this item?

 

[Satyrn]

I read it as saying anyone can do it as often as they wish.

Look at page 141 of the DMG for the rule about activating an item. The spells bit at the top of the second column specifically.

 

[1nsanem1nd]

That seems like a crazy powerful magic item that allows for unlimited scrying and regardless of their spell level.

 

[Satyrn]

Then, if you're the DM, just limit it to a couple times per day (while still acting as a focus for a caster using his own slots after that). You could also ignore the base ability of the crystal ball: Hand out the legendary ones and have them just augment the scrying when used as a focus by a caster using his slots to cast scrying.

But that's assuming your players can actually be bothered scrying. My group rarely uses that sort of magic so this crystal ball will sit around collecting dust even as written.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

That seems like a crazy powerful magic item that allows for unlimited scrying and regardless of their spell level.

It is a legendary magic item, and it requires attunement.

It's meant to be powerful.

 

[Satyrn]

The base model is just very rare.

Not that this pedantic correction really changes your point

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

The base model is just very rare.

I was assuming the title of the thread being wholly, rather than only partial, relevant.

 

[Satyrn]

Oh ha! I never noticed that.