I know 5e has rules for magic item creation, including for scrolls. I was wondering: have they nerfed crafting somewhat? (At least so that crafting becomes viable only for rare occasions.)
In short. Yes, they have nerfed it.
Although actually running the numbers, it's not quite as much as I maybe first thought.
1) It's an optional rule in the DMG, "Depending on the style of your campaign and the particular backgrounds and interests of the adventurers, you can make some or all of the following activities available as options.
Now to me this is literally no different from anything else in the game, because DM is law, but I know to some gaming groups the difference bettween the DM saying "No crafted items" and "ok, I'll allow the optional crafting item rules" is MILES apart.
2) Crafting a magic item first requires a formula, and players only get a formula if the DM puts one into the adventure to be found, looted or bought. So even if the DM has opened the floodgates by saying "yes you can craft items", they retain control over what exactly can be crafted.
3) Only a spellcaster can craft a magic item, and if a spell is involved then it requires them to be able to cast that spell.
4) It requires a minumum level, an amount of gold and a number of work days, all based upon the rarity of the magic item.
5) If a spell is produced by the item then a spell slot of the relevent level must be spent crafting the item every day, and any compontents consumed.
(If it's a consumable item like a scroll the compontents are required only once).
So a +1 Magic Weapon (an uncommon item), requires a formula, a 3rd level spell caster, 500 gp and 20 days... which is perhaps pretty reasonable
A Wand of Fireballs (a rare item) requires a formula, a 6th level spell caster who can cast fireball, 5000 gp and 200 days.
Vs 3.5
BUT 5E doesn't require Xp, specific feats or anything similar that 3E did... and after some painful rereading of the rules.
In 3.5E, a +1 longsword would I believe require the Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat (prerequisite: Caster level 5th) and cost... 1157.5gp of materials, 93 xp and take 3 days.
(If I've done the maths right based upon 2315gp value... I think)
A Wand of Fireballs.
The cheapest level 5 version with base cost of base cost 11,250... (5th level caster x 3rd level spell x 750gp)
In 3.5E requires Craft Wand (Caster level 5), 5625gp of materials, 450xp and take 12 days.
And have a set 50 charges rather than 7 charges with d6+1 recharging at dawn.
So mainly it's the requirement for a formula and the amount of time it takes that is the real difference, and very important ones at that.
(1 day per 25gp cost rather than 1 day per 1000gp), even with 5E allowing multiple people to help.
I will also confirm, that the 5E rules are a hellva less painful experience to reread.
The
Unearthed Arcana on Downtime offered slightly different rules but roughly the same requirements for gold, time and formula, although allowing non casters to make items by having relevant proficiencies or the arcana skill.