I'm trying to make a forgemaster archetype paladin and for some reason (possibly because I've been awake too long) I just cannot seem to wrap my mind around the skill checks involved. Now, forgemaster gives me the "Craft Magic Arms and Armor" feat for free at 5th level and I was considering picking up the craft wondrous items feat as well because it seems overall handy. But my build as-is isn't exactly super bright (14 INT) and I'm worried about having to put skill points into so many skills that I end up screwing up what's otherwise necessary for a non-channeling cleric.
So... basically, I guess what my actual question is, is what "craft" skills will I need to put points into to properly use these creation feats? The page for this mentioned spellcraft an awful lot but I don't think it's quite as cheap as just maxing that?
And, you know, explain it like I'm an idiot, because it might just be necessary at this point.
Are you planning on crafting items and then enchanting them? Using armor as an example, that would be Craft(Armor) followed by either another Craft(Armor) check it Spellcraft.
If you're just enchanting the item, you really only need Splkcraft, no matter you're making.
Ah, I wasn't quite sure if I had to craft the items myself from get-go or not... though looking back at it, I should probably have picked up on that.
I suppose enchanting will be my main schtick as, as a cleric, I would in all likelihood be maxing spellcraft anyway. I might not be able to take both armor and weaponsmithing I suppose, which is a bit sad in terms of flavor but ultimately something I can live with. Might pick up one of them though if it turns out that I have skill points to spare though.
All you need is Spellcraft.
If, for some odd reason, you have more ranks in a relevant crafting skill (largely a GM judgement call with wondrous items based on what, specifically you're making) you can swap that in instead, but you don't need to have both.