Level Up (A5E) Trapsmith Rogue Improvised Crafting: RAW schenanigans

[xiphumor]

AG, pg. 249. Trapsmith rogue, Improvised Crafting

Starting at 13th level, you can use your tinker’s tools to create a mundane item during a short or long rest. You can create one of the following items, which lasts until the beginning of the next long or short rest.

• A vial of alchemist’s fire or acid.

• Any weapon, ammunition, or gear from Chapter 4: Equipment which costs 20 gold or less (or several identical items with a total cost not exceeding 20 gold). The item functions like the original object but may be made of different materials.

Note that is says “create” and not “craft.” RAW, this means that a Trapsmith rogue can make:

• 2 adderwort roots (and other medicinals)
• 2 crystal spellcasting foci
• 40 Rations
• 25 gallons of oil
• Fine Clothes
• Half a ton of sand
• 3 Donkeys
• 20 goats
• 4 lbs. of silver

Obviously not RAI, but I wonder if some errata wouldn’t hurt here.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the greatest hack of all: 1000 chickens

 

[VenerableBede]

But good golly, just imagine how much fun it would be in the middle of a Hansel and Gretel–themed dungeon for the rogue to whip three licorice-donkeys out of his pockets and say, "I've got just what we needed for this incredibly specific situation!"
IMO, this is a circumstance that falls under player responsibility not to abuse what is very likely not designer intent. Also, player responsibility not to (under most circumstances) claim that he's been carrying an entire herd of goats in his pocket all adventure. Unless, of course, that's what's most fun for the table as a whole. Maybe they are running the kind of campaign where it would be very reasonable to carry around Instant Goat(TM) Dried Powder (Just Add Water!).

 

[xiphumor]

But good golly, just imagine how much fun it would be in the middle of a Hansel and Gretel–themed dungeon for the rogue to whip three licorice-donkeys out of his pockets and say, "I've got just what we needed for this incredibly specific situation!"
IMO, this is a circumstance that falls under player responsibility not to abuse what is very likely not designer intent. Also, player responsibility not to (under most circumstances) claim that he's been carrying an entire herd of goats in his pocket all adventure. Unless, of course, that's what's most fun for the table as a whole. Maybe they are running the kind of campaign where it would be very reasonable to carry around Instant Goat(TM) Dried Powder (Just Add Water!).

I was envisioning a Stitcher Artificer-esque situation…

 

[xiphumor]

However, I think that at the very least, noting that you can’t craft Supply might be important.

 

[VenerableBede]

It also notes that all things made with this feature only lasts until your next short or long rest. Supply spontaneously created by this rogue creates a feeling of fullness with no substance, as the benefit disappears the moment you start resting…
That’s how I interpret it, anyway.

 

[WarDriveWorley]

Half a ton of sand

unrelated segue. When my dad was a starting professor down in Texas A&M he was so unpopular his students filled his car with sand. All of it. The engine, the radiator, the gas tank.

He was less than happy.

That said imagine how useful some of these are for trap finding/disabling.

Is that a pit? No worries, I have sand.
hmmmm I wonder if some chickens will set off any pressure traps? Maybe goats.

Heckfire just the oil alone is worth it's weight in a variety of encounters.

 

[xiphumor]

“A massive pit trap opens in in front of you. At the bottom, you see spikes and the remains of former adventurers.”

“I fill the trap with 1000 chickens and walk across.”

 

[VenerableBede]

"The NPC druid with your party is deeply offended, but the party gets across safely. Three more pit traps to go."
The fighter looks at the rogue. "How many more chickens do you have?"
The rogue shakes his head and looks back at the pit. "Those were the chickens. Let's start fishing them out."

 

[xiphumor]

After five hours of handling a mountain of decomposing chickens

“I need everyone to make a CON save.”

 

[VenerableBede]

And this is why, as funny as it is to sacrifice hundreds of domesticated animals to overcome simple traps, at the end of the day the rogue should have just produced a rope with a grappling hook. Or a ladder.