Doing Away with Spellcraft

[Viktyr Gehrig]

One complaint I've frequently heard regarding the D&D skill system is the fact that people are usually unsure whether a check belongs in Spellcraft or Knowledge (arcane).

Would it cause much difficulty to simply combine Spellcraft with Knowledge (arcane), and Psicraft with Knowledge (psionics)? (Perhaps also stating that Spellcraft related to divine magic belongs in Knowledge (religion)...)

The only area I can see problems in is Prestige Classes and Feats that have both as prerequisites, though I don't think it would be a serious concern.

 

[Crothian]

I doubt it would do much, just make certain classes have an easier time spending skill points.

 

[Jdvn1]

I think it could work. Alternately, since casters almost always max out Spellcraft, you could just make it a level check.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

I doubt it would do much, just make certain classes have an easier time spending skill points.

Classes which, for the most part, only have 2 skill points per level. On the one hand, it makes it possible for those classes to have something other than the default skills, on the other, their low skill points seem like part of their limitations. (Not that this matters for me, since I'm running Gestalt-- noone has 2 skill points in my party.)

Pardon me... just thinking aloud.

I'm probably going to run with this.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Should Druids and Rangers use Knowledge (religion) for Spellcraft, or Knowledge (nature)?

What about Shugenjas?

 

[Crothian]

I like knoweldge nature for the nature classes.....relegion for the Shugenjas I guess

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, it's up to you, obviously, since it's a houserule. I'd think Knowledge (Nature) for the three of them, though.

 

[Jdvn1]

Aren't Shugenjas the elemental casters? Or is that the Wu Jen?

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Aren't Shugenjas the elemental casters? Or is that the Wu Jen?

Divine elementalists, yes.

 

[Crothian]

i guess you could do knowlege planes for them but neither really fit perfectly