Question regarding Dwarf Wizard Favored Class Bonus (FCB) and Item Creation feats

[Maxtrallallà Misteriosaidentità]

Hi everyone!

I have a question about how the alternative Favored Class Bonus for the Dwarf Wizard works in Pathfinder 1e.

The text says: "Select one item creation feat known by the wizard. Whenever he crafts an item using that feat, the amount of progress he makes in an 8-hour period increases by 200 gp (50 gp if crafting while adventuring). This does not reduce the cost of the item; it just increases the rate at which the item is crafted."

My question is: can I select the same item creation feat multiple times as I level up to stack the bonus?

For example, if at level 3 and level 4 I choose to apply this FCB to Craft Wondrous Item, does the bonus stack (+400 gp of progress in an 8-hour period)? The general rules for FCBs state that benefits are cumulative unless otherwise noted, but I wanted to make sure this applies here and if there has ever been an official FAQ clarifying it.

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!

[Azothath]

Maxtrallallà Misteriosaidentità wrote:

... My question is: can I select the same {FCB that affects an} item creation feat multiple times as I level up to stack the bonus?

Generally bonuses of the same type or from the same source do not stack. As it is a FCB it's not explicitly denied as many stack. I think it is sensible and there's room for a GM to allow it.

You have to trade a HP for some FCB. A real, keep you alive and not die HP.

Commentary
IMO FCBs are not worth it, especially for casters and especially this FCB. Magic Item Crafting proceeds at 1000gp/d almost always during downtime which makes this FCB about shortening downtime. Not gold, not caster level, not more spells, not metamagics.
FCBs are very Campaign dependent. If you spend 50% of your time at the Game Table crafting, then sure... 41.7% is better than 50%.
→ Advice on how to play a wizard, 10-2024
→ Cooperative Casting feat doubles your progress (2000gp/d) on Crafting feats your PC has for the cost of an NPC or another crafter.

[Joynt Jezebel]

Mostly I agree with Azothath.

And I think most FCBs that could stack do. For example the Dwarven bonus for-

Summoner: Add a +1/4 natural armor bonus to the AC of the summoner’s eidolon.

Must stack as otherwise it would not do anything however many times you took it.

There is a question as to what happens if you take the Wizard FCB in question multiple times and reach the point you can, by the RAW, craft an item in no time.

I think it sensible to rule you can produce, say, 2 items a day but no more.

[Mysterious Stranger]

The dwarf FCB specifies it increases the amount of progress he makes in an 8-hour period. That means no matter how many times you take the FCB, the minimum time does not change. You still need to take at least 8 hours.

When traveling you can work for 4 hours but it only counts as 2 hours. So, 4 days working for 4 hours while traveling equals 8 hours.

The rules do not allow working on more than 1 item at a time. Which means no matter how much progress you make, you can still only make 1 item per day. There may be feats and abilities that change that but by default only 1.

[Joynt Jezebel]

Yes, you are right. My mistake.

[Java Man]

The value of this fcb is directly tied to the quantity of downtime available to the party. Could be huge, could be useless.