Spellcraft

[H2Osw]

Hello,

I'm pretty sure I've been using spellcraft wrong for over a year.

I've been allowing players who are trained in spellcraft to make a check to determine what magical properties an item has. But after reading it again this morning, they would still have to use detect magic or identify in conjunction with spellcraft to determine the properties of said item.

Is this correct?

To follow that up, the DC is 15 + item's caster level. What if the item is an enchanted weapon? is it 15 + the weapons enchantment bonus?

[Captain collateral damage]

Yep. Also if they fail on an item they have to wait a day. However with potions they can attempt perception checks by tasting them, and you don't need detect magic.
EDIT: For weapons the caster level is 3x the bonus, or the weapon special ability, whichever is higher. Same goes for armor and shields

[ryric]

The caster level of a magic weapon or armor is generally 3x the enhancement bonus, or the caster level of any special ability, whichever is higher. So a +1 longsword would be CL3 and require an 18 to identify; at +5 it would be CL15 and be DC30.

[H2Osw]

Thank you guys, bummed I've been doing it wrong for so long, but glad I now know the correct way. Thank You!