One of the problems I've just run into (and this was my first full day of switching my campaign to PRPG) is the possibly of using unlimited detect magics in combination with the Appraise skill.
My quick solution to keep my players from casting detect magic, rolling appraise, rinse and repeat was to make them take 20 with the appraise skill with a casting of detect magic, but I'm not sure that's the best solution.
Anyone else have this problem yet?
I haven't had a chance to run my playtest yet, but I was wondering about the same thing. I have no ideas yet, but I'll be watching this.
The problem with this is the math on Identify:
Say our party wizard has appraise +x (eg +10); if he takes 20 using multiple detect magics (or just keeps casting until he gets a 20), he gets a 20+x (eg 30), identifying items of CL 5+x (eg 15) and below. But if he casts Identify he gets a single roll with an extra +10, no retry without casting again; he rolls 1d20+10+x and gets between 11+x and 30+x (eg 21-40), identifying items of CL x-4 to x+15 (eg 6-25).
My problem with this is that when you cast Identify, you have only a 50% chance of getting any benefit from it over just casting detects for free all day.
The one thing I really don't understand is, why they ruled (in parts) the identify spell into a skill (Appraise) AND NOT Detect Magic into Spellcraft!
I find the choice of Appraise an odd one. I would think it would make more sense to go with Knowledge(arcana). Mostly its just weird that wizards can now calculate the value of your fancy necklace or tell whats best to steal from your mantle. It does, however, fit my view of wizards as kleptomaniacs with odd tastes (how do you explain how a wizard always has enough of those costless material components on hand? cause he steals the stuff, every chance he gets!).
I always preferred the image of Gandalf combing through dusty tombs, trying to figure out what this crazy ring is, as opposed to "Hold on, IDENTIFY! Yeah, its a +1 Longsword. Now, for my next trick, I'll need a candle and some sweat...". I can't really expect people to suddenly live without Identify, but I can expect wizards to quit eyeballing my jewelry.
I like the idea of having magical items identified with a skill check - I just agree that it shouldn't be appraise. How come Johnny McTheif can now tell that the magic robe your group just found is a Robe of the Archmagi?
It doesn't make sense.
I too think the skill related to the identification of items should be changed. Spellcraft would be a good choice for magical items, and Psicraft for Psionic items. Other options would be Knowledge (Arcane) and / or Knowledge (Religion) - for arcane and divine items - or even Knowledge (Nature) for druid type items.
Also, in one of the arguments someone said Identify isn't useful. I respectfully disagree. It doesn't take 8 hours to cast. It doesn't cost 100gp per use. You can get multiple uses out of the same spell (if I recall it lasts 1rd per level?) -- If I'm wrong on that last point, forgive me.
Still, having a "make the skill fit the item you're identifying" would not be a bad idea. And very simple to make or houserule too.
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I like the idea of having magical items identified with a skill check - I just agree that it shouldn't be appraise. How come Johnny McTheif can now tell that the magic robe your group just found is a Robe of the Archmagi?
He can't unless he can actually CAST the detect magic. So by burning a talent on minor arcana, or dipping into a casting class. It stipulates that to identify magic you have to be the one that casts it.