I am about to start GM'ing and what to know what a spellcraft roll would tell the players about any magic item they find, at the moment the GM of our group just tells the party what the item is (and number of charge if needed)if the roll is high enough
You mean he doesnt tell you how the item functions?
no if we find a sword +1 and make the spellcraft DC we are told its a sword +1, just like if we find a cure light wounds wand with say 20 chrages left in, after we make the spellcraft DC that is the info we find out inclueing the amount of HP healed ie 1d8+1. Now if we find ie a pair of boots and make the DC we are told what they are and then just look in the core book for all the info about them.
What i am asking is that the right way to play Spellcraft or if not how should it be used
If you cat Detect Magic on an item (or Identify which gives you a bonus to the roll), and you examine the item for 3 rounds, you get to make a Spellcraft check to fully identify the item. If this check succeeds, you learn the entire function of the item. You know what is, what it can do, and how to use it.
You don't learn any of its history, like who owned it last or where it's been. Use Legend Lore for that stuff if you need to know it.
Note that this doesn't work on artifcts. AFAIK, there is no spell or skill that can tell you what an artifact is or how to use it, so you're stuck with trial and error, or maybe some exhaustive research.
A spellcraft roll of 15 + item caster level should let the PC doing the work discern all the properties of an item (assuming detect magic is in use).
Edit: Ninja'd by the tarrasque!
So my group has be using it the right way.
Thanks for the quick replys
The Tarrasque is renown for its stealth
Edit: Ninja'd by the tarrasque!
I am a leaf on the wind...
Albeit, a colossal armored leaf.
The Tarrasque is renown for its stealth
Edit: Ninja'd by the tarrasque!I am a leaf on the wind...
Albeit, a colossal armored leaf.
Oh man, for every Tarrasque you dont see there's 3 Tarrasques you dont see! Even the gods cant save us now.... Plane Shift! Plane Shift! Its our only hope!
Watch out, those who speak those words are often speared by reaper ballista! I'm not sure even a mighty beast such as yourself could survive that sort of suprise.
Reapers, smeapers.
I eat 'em for breakfast. In fact, I have two of 'em stuck between my back molars right now and I'm hoping they'll shoot me with one of those cute little harpoons of theirs so I can use it for a toothpick...
|
Note that this doesn't work on artifcts. AFAIK, there is no spell or skill that can tell you what an artifact is or how to use it, so you're stuck with trial and error, or maybe some exhaustive research.
I also keep some information hidden when the item is custom-made or for plot purposes.
My rationale is that Detect Magic is showing the spellcaster an aura and the spellcaster can make an educated guess as to what the item is based on his experience and study of such things. However, for custom-made items the aura will be unique and the spellcaster will be able to place the item within a particular genre (i.e. magic school) and will know how to activate it, but may not know exactly what the effects will be.
I have a PC who is crafting custom items, so NPCs with Arcane Sight going who see the items won't be able to 100% identify them that way.
|
Unfortunately, the Reavers are a different matter. They mess up people and tarrasques alike. We must join together in stemming the tide, or we shall all be overrun.