Can someone explain the process of identifying magic items in PF? I'm a bit confused how exactly it works.
Can the PC's simply attempt a spellcraft check when they acquire something or do they always have to use the Detect Magic spell to determine which of the items they've found actually have magical properties?
What if they equip something that has magical properties but they haven't yet identified what it does, or maybe they haven't realized it's magical at all?
I'm running a game for new players, plus I'm quite new to PF myself, and my PC's have found a Ring of Swimming, which I described as "a silver ring with fish-like designs and motifs etched into the band", just like in the core rules.
Unfortunately my players aren't that familiar with the rules yet, so they glossed over it, and one of them equipped it without realizing it's more then just a trinket they can sell in town.
Now, I suppose I can note down the +5 bonus on swim checks he got, and grant it to him unbeknowst when it comes up, but is that correct?
Yeah that's fine.
If they're new players it probably wouldn't hurt to remind them that they should probably survey treasure with Detect Magic. As soon as anyone casts Detect Magic feel free to bring up that there is an aura emanating from player x's finger.
But yeah, to ID a magic item you just cast Detect Magic and make a spellcraft check DC (I think) 15 + caster level of the item. If they cast identify that gives them a +10 bonus.
Identifying a magic item does require the Detect Magic or Identify spell. While the spell is running, you can make the Spellcraft check as described in the skill (with Identify providing a bonus to the check).
If they don't know it's magical, it will still work (for passive items). So the character will still get the bonus to Swim skill. It's up to you, but if the character in question ever has to make a Swim check, I suggest letting them know that they find it significantly easier than expected.
Thanks, that's pretty much how I thought it should work, but I just wanted to make sure I understood it correctly.
You may also want to remind them that detecting magic is free. No*** spellcaster should ever be without detect magic (and read magic) as one of their cantrips.
***The word "no" as used in the above sentence is in no way meant to imply that there is NEVER a reason why a spellcaster might choose to forego having one of these cantrips prepared - only to imply that they are regularly useful and nearly always worth the slot.
If they don't know it's magical, it will still work (for passive items). So the character will still get the bonus to Swim skill. It's up to you, but if the character in question ever has to make a Swim check, I suggest letting them know that they find it significantly easier than expected.
Reading your reply, I suddenly remembered Drizzt's first magical scimitar was an unidentified item, that saved him from a demon by giving him fire immunity without him realising it. :)
Identifying a magic item does require the Detect Magic or Identify spell.
There are also a couple other ways to identify particular items (Read Magic for scrolls, Perception checks for potions).