You have to be at least the minimum caster level to cast the spell you're making a potion of. So no making 3rd level spell potions until you can cast 3rd level spells.
You are indeed correct on the DC formula, and since a Potion is neither a spell-completion (like a Scroll) nor a spell-trigger (like a Wand or a Staff) magic item, a Witch could theoretically craft even potions for which (s)he doesn't know the spell.
However, please remember that for a 1st level character, crafting a Potion of a 3rd-level spell is no easy feat due to the high cost; at half price, a 3rd-level spell potion (like a Cure Seriorus Wounds potion) would still cost 375 gp, which is way beyond the gp possession of such a character. An NPC caster working for the local lord could theorethically have the money at disposal, but a typical PC would still have to wait until 3rd-4th level in order to easily afford to spend such amount of money on a single temporary magic item.
Just my 2c.
EDIT:
You have to be at least the minimum caster level to cast the spell you're making a potion of. So no making 3rd level spell potions until you can cast 3rd level spells.
Hmm, I haven't thought of the caster level, which is not usually a prerequisite for most magic items (it only sets the DC) but for items like scrolls, wands or potions it COULD be. I am a bit at a loss here...
The Wraith is correct. You can, if you get the money. Symar is wrong, however; there's no requirement of caster level. There's the requirement of knowing the spell, which can be circumvented, but there's no difference between a 5th level wizard creating a PoCSW and a 5th level cleric doing it; caster level isn't an issue at all.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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Hmm, I haven't thought of the caster level, which is not usually a prerequisite for most magic items (it only sets the DC) but for items like scrolls, wands or potions it COULD be. I am a bit at a loss here...
Potions are one situation where your CL matters.
From the Brew Potion feat:
"When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level."
Symar is wrong, however; there's no requirement of caster level.
Potions are one situation where your CL matters.From the Brew Potion feat:
"When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level."
I probably should have included that in my post, but yes. Potions call out that you need to be the proper caster level.
Sorry, Symar, for calling you wrong without doing better research. You're right.
It's an exception to the general rule, and many people seem to believe it is the general rule (that you need CL=CL of item to craft it) which is why I answered the way I did.
Cheers Symar and Ben, I'm actually happy that this is the case. Does this also mean no crafting potions that aren't on the Witch list or is the only real pre-req that carachtel level >= caster level?
It seems as if only caster level is an issue, not having the spell on the list. Of course, if you can get your hands on the feat, the DC drops by 5.
As for investing in Craft (Alchemy) for potions, no, it generally isn't needed. If your group is the houseruling type, and you feel you should gain benefit from investing in it, your DM might adapt a rule of "increase DC by 10 to craft in half time" or something like that.
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Hmm, I haven't thought of the caster level, which is not usually a prerequisite for most magic items (it only sets the DC) but for items like scrolls, wands or potions it COULD be. I am a bit at a loss here...Potions are one situation where your CL matters.
From the Brew Potion feat:
"When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level."
Yes, but then you run into that usual (messy) argument of can this 'must' be bypassed with a +5 DC? Just like others have made the argument the 3*CL for each modifier for making magic weapons and armor can be bypassed.
Personally, I am along your thinking in this is the RAI and if I was GM, I would enforce the CL in this case. However, I can see those still making that argument it can be bypassed.
I really wish Paizo would clarify what can and can't be bypassed with a +5 DC.
Yes, but then you run into that usual (messy) argument of can this 'must' be bypassed with a +5 DC? Just like others have made the argument the 3*CL for each modifier for making magic weapons and armor can be bypassed.
Hmm, I haven't thought of the caster level, which is not usually a prerequisite for most magic items (it only sets the DC) but for items like scrolls, wands or potions it COULD be. I am a bit at a loss here...Potions are one situation where your CL matters.
From the Brew Potion feat:
"When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level."
It cannot be bypassed, and neither can that 3*CL for weapon enhancement bonus. Those aren't listed in the Crafting Requirements section (an interesting note though, is that at least at d20pfsrd, 3*CL is listed as a requirement for an amulet of mighty fists, so for the amulet it can be skipped. Amusing.).
But yes, the rules are a bit unclear and counter-intuitive; it should have noted specifically that it can only skip requirements listed in the "crafting requirements" section and nothing else.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8
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Yes, but then you run into that usual (messy) argument of can this 'must' be bypassed with a +5 DC? Just like others have made the argument the 3*CL for each modifier for making magic weapons and armor can be bypassed.
Personally, I am along your thinking in this is the RAI and if I was GM, I would enforce the CL in this case. However, I can see those still making that argument it can be bypassed.
I really wish Paizo would clarify what can and can't be bypassed with a +5 DC.
I can see the argument, but it's a limitation, not a prerequisite, so definitely not bypass-able.
If it helps, think of the order of operations you'd use:
1. First you pick CL (there are limits on what you can choose).
2. CL determines Craft DC
3. Prerequisites modify the Craft DC
4. You craft the item
You can't bypass the CL bit because you need a DC to add 5 to, which means you've already set the CL by the time you get that far.