Feat for speedy crafting

Artoomis said:
How about a whole different approach?

A Gnome Tinkerer prestige class. It's got possibilites. To avoid having to totally take over a character, I'd make it a 5-level class with relatively low (say, 5th level) entry requirements.

There actually is a Gnome Artificer PrC in Magic of Faerun, but it's focused on making cheap quasi-magical items and doesn't speed up the creation of more mundane items.

(In fact, I was trying to come up with this fast-crafting feat to give a player who wants to build a Gnome Artificer a little more flexibility with creating less-powerful items. Then again, I've heard some people say that the Gnome Artificer is underpowered, so maybe I could just toss this ability in as an extra class ability...or, even better, maybe I could make one of the Gnome Artificer class abilities a prerequisite for the feat! That should screen out your average NPC Expert pretty quick!)

The Metallian
 

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Metallian said:
Doesn't that only apply to Psionic/Magic Item Creation? I'm looking for a way to speed up the creation of nonmagical items (Repeating Crossbows, Springwalls, Alchemical items, etc.)

Yeah, sorry about that. I was going over that feat today, so it just sprang to mind as soon as I saw the thread title.
 


dcollins said:
These kinds of discussions really belong in House Rules.

Okay, it's a fair cop. :D

Of course, many threads here probably belong in House Rules, too, but your point still stands.

The Metallian
 
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Yes, a faster crafting time like that is pretty much essential to make an effective PC crafter. Definitely not overpowered.

And the Gnome Artificer class is sufficiently underpowered that it will *still* suck if you add this as a freebie. ;)

PS: I am currently playing a gnome alchemist/tinkerer/Artificer with an increased crafting speed, so I should know!
 

Conaill said:
Yes, a faster crafting time like that is pretty much essential to make an effective PC crafter. Definitely not overpowered.

And the Gnome Artificer class is sufficiently underpowered that it will *still* suck if you add this as a freebie. ;)

PS: I am currently playing a gnome alchemist/tinkerer/Artificer with an increased crafting speed, so I should know!

1) How did you get the increased crafting speed?

2) Do you have any suggestions for someone who wants to play this type of character? Is the "techie/equipment guy" pretty much a lost cause in D&D?

The Metallian
 

Metallian said:
1) How did you get the increased crafting speed?
Uhm... at first I mistakingly used sp/day instead of sp/week. Then when we figured out that was wrong, my DM generously allowed me to keep doing it that way, because it fit with the character. :D I.e. I got it for free, and it hasn't proved overpowered at all.

Mind you, it still takes hours to days to make something useful. I do a lot of alchemy, and at 40-50 gp per day, I can essentially crank out one or two one-shot items which are much lower power than any of the spells the spellcasters can fire off at the same level...
2) Do you have any suggestions for someone who wants to play this type of character? Is the "techie/equipment guy" pretty much a lost cause in D&D?
(1) Don't do it if you're a powergamer. It's a great creativity/roleplaying opportunity though.

(2) Don't give in to temptation! There's often an easier or cheaper way to do things via magic. You could buy an amulet of water breathing instead of inventing the first breathing apparatus. But see (1): you're doing this to have fun, not to have the most powerful possible character.

(3) Constantly think "how else could I approach this problem"? You can't just coast along with a character like this. You'll have to stay on your toes and keep thinking of clever stuff to do, or chances are you may not have much to contribute.

(4) Get a Haversack and fill it with pre-crafted gadgets. I have a list of well over 200 alchemical items collected from various published sources, and my PC is currently carrying more than 50 of those around with him. Gotta have something useful for any situation...

(5) Even with faster crafting, you'll need to make the best use of whatever spare time you get. Our own campaign is largely ship-based, which means that I can actually get a lot of crafting done while we travel! In a land-based campaign you could do something similar with a covered wagon and a hired driver.
 
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Conaill said:
(5) Even with faster crafting, you'll need to make the best use of whatever spare time you get. Our own campaign is largely ship-based, which means that I can actually get a lot of crafting done while we travel! In a land-based campaign you could do something similar with a covered wagon and a hired driver.

Heh, the current party was very psyched to be going on a sea voyage so the Wizard could learn spells and make scrolls! I wonder what they'll do when they can Teleport...

The Metallian
 

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