Craft: Alchemy, Spellcasting, and Gnomes

[Gez]

In your opinion, would a gnome's spell-like ability (and caster level) qualify for making alchemical items, even if the gnome doesn't have levels in any spellcasting class?


As gnomes have a racial bonus on Alchemy checks, I think it would make sense to have any gnome be able to craft alchemical items. I kinda like the idea of the gnome expert alchemist, who although he isn't able to cast spells (outside of his racial cantrips), still knows how to produce a lot of alchemical items.

(IMC, the point is moot, as I've kept the 3.0. gnome traits: they cast spells, not spell-like abilities. It's just to know the consensus on that topic.)

 

[Starglim]

spell-like ability: A special ability with effects that resemble those of a spell.

spellcaster: A character capable of casting spells.

It seems to me that the designers have gone to some trouble to make this clear. A spell-like ability is not a spell, and having one does not make you a spellcaster.

 

[Humanophile]

Strictly by the book, I have a feeling the answer is no. But then again, strictly by the book a warlock couldn't either, and I have a feeling that a lot of people would fudge their ruling for that.

It really hinges on how you chose to read P. 72 of CArc for precedent. A very good case could be made that "must be a spellcaster" could be seen as equivalent to "caster level 1", which the gnomes could pull off. But "cast" as the rules use it has a very specific meaning, which does not include SLA'a.

(For a real headache, try imagining the responses you'd get asking this same question about warlocks or about high level monks. One of the reasons I'm glad I houseruled the "must be a spellcaster" bit away as silly.)

 

[Starglim]

edit: snarky.

 

[Humanophile]

*snip*

 

[CronoDekar]

By RAW, no, but IMC I ignore the rule that you need to be able to cast spells to use alchemy. If I weren't using that rule, I'd say the gnome ability lets them qualify anyway -- plus it'd make sense for a gnome anyway (though that may be biased by the fact that I do let non-spellcasters use alchemy).

 

[MerakSpielman]

I don't much care for the "spellcaster" requirement for crafting alchemical items, personally.

 

[drnuncheon]

In your opinion, would a gnome's spell-like ability (and caster level) qualify for making alchemical items, even if the gnome doesn't have levels in any spellcasting class?

Yes, but like others I dropped the 'spellcaster' requirement for Alchemy.