D&D 5E Lizardfolk's Cunning Artisan

[BookBarbarian]

Proficiency is not just the ability to use something. Being a gunsmith does not make one a professional soldier even though a gunsmith will certainly shoot a gun to test it's accuracy.

Similarly, a Smith can make a sword to spec and be able to know it is balanced and knock it around and make sure it won't shatter etc etc, without knowing the best way to swing it for maximum effect in a variety of situations when set upon by a variable number of foes. The latter takes proficiency.

 

[Caliban]

I would say that a smith is proficient with swords. Because he needs to now how a blade handles to notice any imperfections in the work.

A smith could be 1st level fighter a master swordsman is 12th level fighter I.E.

A smith does not need to be good swordsman but he needs to know what he is doing.

Knowing how to make a sword doesn't mean you know how to use it in combat.

You may know how to test its balance and strength, but that is still not the same as being able to fight with it proficiently.

A weaponsmith may know how to use swords (or more likely hammers), but I don't think it would be a result of item creation. I think it would be because they chose to become proficient with it (either via solo practice or actual training).

 

[MostlyDm]

No, I don't think that's RAI. That would make it a ridiculously OP trait.

Would it really, though?

I'm away from book, but don't the lizardfolk's crafted items only last for a fight or something? They're fairly fragile.

I'm not convinced a lizardman wizard who crafts himself a shield a few times a day is really that OP. He could get similar/better armor options via multiclassing, feats, etc. without those being overwhelmingly advantageous. Lizardmen don't make great wizards, otherwise, so this would just be a sort of nifty little bonus.

I dunno, I'd be inclined to allow it.

 

[Caliban]

Would it really, though?

I'm away from book, but don't the lizardfolk's crafted items only last for a fight or something? They're fairly fragile.

I'm not convinced a lizardman wizard who crafts himself a shield a few times a day is really that OP. He could get similar/better armor options via multiclassing, feats, etc. without those being overwhelmingly advantageous. Lizardmen don't make great wizards, otherwise, so this would just be a sort of nifty little bonus.

I dunno, I'd be inclined to allow it.

Probably wouldn't be OP at all. Simply being proficient in a weapon isn't a big deal.

We already have the Pact of the Blade as an example of someone who gains temporary proficiency with weapons they summon via their pact magic.

I just don't think it's implied or intended in the lizard folk ability.

 

[jaelis]

Proficiency in shields is a pretty big deal.

 

[pukunui]

I'm away from book, but don't the lizardfolk's crafted items only last for a fight or something?

They appear to be permanent. But now that I've looked at the text again, I see that they're limited in what they can make. Shields, clubs, javelins, darts, and blowgun needles. I'm still disinclined to say the trait grants proficiency in any of those things simply because the devs have been pretty good about spelling out that sort of thing, and I don't see even a glimmer of an implication that the trait is meant to grant proficiency.

 

[flametitan]

Would it really, though?

I'm away from book, but don't the lizardfolk's crafted items only last for a fight or something? They're fairly fragile.

I'm not convinced a lizardman wizard who crafts himself a shield a few times a day is really that OP. He could get similar/better armor options via multiclassing, feats, etc. without those being overwhelmingly advantageous. Lizardmen don't make great wizards, otherwise, so this would just be a sort of nifty little bonus.

I dunno, I'd be inclined to allow it.

Nope. Says nothing about how long they last. You might toss it when entering a town, (I'm sure most common folk would not take kindly to you owning a shield made of goblin hide) but there's nothing that indicates it's any more frail than other items.

 

[MostlyDm]

Proficiency in shields is a pretty big deal.

It's certainly nice, but I'm not sure I'd call a proficiency that approximately half the classes get access to "a big deal."
And Lizardfolk are a pretty poor fit for most of the classes that don't get shield proficiency.

I just don't see the problem.

I'm not saying that they should be proficient. I can see the argument that it doesn't grant it. But I object to the idea that to allow it is going to be somehow unbalancing, a big deal, OP, etc.

Edit: And thanks for the corrections, all. Not sure why I thought that.

 

[Caliban]

It's certainly nice, but I'm not sure I'd call a proficiency that approximately half the classes get access to "a big deal."

Tell that to the Roman Legions!

 

[BookBarbarian]

It's certainly nice, but I'm not sure I'd call a proficiency that approximately half the classes get access to "a big deal."
And Lizardfolk are a pretty poor fit for most of the classes that don't get shield proficiency.

I just don't see the problem.

I'm not saying that they should be proficient. I can see the argument that it doesn't grant it. But I object to the idea that to allow it is going to be somehow unbalancing, a big deal, OP, etc.

Edit: And thanks for the corrections, all. Not sure why I thought that.

I agree it's not a big balance issue, but it seems like the half of the classes that did get it and the half of the classes that didn't are separated along fairly distinct lines.